The Pros and Cons of Online Shopping

The internet can be a great resource for shoppers looking to expand their choices of products to buy and an invaluable way for saving money. Online stores are highly competitive not only with other online stores, but also with brick-and-mortar competitors. Price-comparison websites make deal hunting easier and also help guide shoppers to online stores with the best reputations by posting reviews submitted by other shoppers.

Point-of-sale advantages include stores offering no shipping charges and free ship-to-store charges. A lot of online stores do not pass on sales tax (unless required by the state) to customers, which can add up to substantial savings for those shoppers who buy primarily online.
Other advantages of shopping online include:

• The stores are almost never closed.
• Shoppers can shop in their pajamas.
• Online shoppers save on gas.
• There are no parking hassles.
• Online shoppers rarely have to deal with aggressive salespeople.
• There are no annoying crowds.
• Online shoppers do not have to wait in long lines to check out.
• Many online retailers allow shoppers to post reviews about the products that they purchased.

The Disadvantages of Shopping Online

Sometimes a deal that looks great falls short of what has been advertised. Communicating dissatisfaction can be difficult online and often takes enormous patience and tenacity to achieve satisfaction. Problem-solving face-to-face with local store employees is often faster and more satisfying

Contacting the next level of management is much easier at local stores than online.

Other disadvantages of shopping online include:

• Online shoppers do not have the ability to physically inspect or try on the items being considered for purchase.
• Online shoppers sometimes lose the power to negotiate the price and payment terms that may exist in local stores.
• Items ordered online are sometimes back ordered, but shoppers may not find out until weeks later. This is particularly problematic when buying gifts.
• Online shoppers do not always know if a site is a legitimate retail store and if is safe to shop.
• Restocking and shipping costs are often charged on returns.
• Online shoppers often do not have a person (or the same person) to talk to when dealing with a problem.
• It is sometimes easier to get money refunded locally when the item purchased drops in price within the guaranteed price period.
• Online shoppers do not get to take advantage of seasonal statewide tax-free shopping events.
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