Let's be realistic, the Internet has changed the way we shop. Because of the multiple advantages and perks, more and more people now favor buying merchandise online above and beyond the old school conventional method of going into stores.
With online shopping
- The stores are always open.
- There is no dress code guidelines.
- Save on gas.
- There are no parking hassles.
- No aggressive (sometimes apathetic) salespeople.
- No annoying crowds.
- No line to wait in when it is time to check out.
- Many more choices for buying refurbished products.
- Online sales representatives often receive more product training than those at the local stores.
- Online representatives often have greater flexibility when asked to make decisions such as meeting a competitors' price, applying coupons or expediting shipping at no additional charge.
- Communication with online shoppers is more often programmed with automatic responses to inquiries and any required follow-up, very often is with more professional and corporately trained employees in contrast to those often found working at the brick-and-mortar locations.
- Operational factors such as lease payments, utilities, payroll, store furnishings, shelving, fixtures, inventory shrinkage losses and other things all contribute to the bottom line profit margin less the overhead costs of doing business in a shopping center.
- Online shopping is a great resource for finding products at a great savings that are from past seasons or that are being liquidated.
- On reputable sites to lessen any consumer confusion and comply with FTC regulations, customer service and other policies are clearly stated in writing. Additionally, well-trained 'live' sales personnel are made available to answer questions without the need to wait in long lines or search the aisles for a store associate.
- Numerous price-comparison sites enable consumers to shop smarter, through use of services or applications that compare prices of a product at several stores.
- Many online stores waive sales tax or shipping costs to enhance the likelihood of shoppers making an online purchase. Also, a lot of sites offer a toll-free number for customers to call who do not want to post their personal information or credit card numbers online.
- Online stores maintain the same promotional calendar as the brick-and-mortar stores by offering great seasonal sales and discounts. Additionally, the after Christmas sales equal and often exceed that of local department stores.
- Late winter sales almost always offer huge price cuts for the annual "white sales" events.
- Early spring is the timeframe when online outlets often offer as much as 75 percent off winter merchandise inventories. Also, throughout the year (just like the local stores) big sales events are held during holiday weekends such as the Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Memorial Day.
- With greater comfort, ease and accessibility more and more people are turning to the Internet to do their shopping. As a result of this tremendous online growth the smarter retailers are responding with enticing customer loyalty programs, improved user-friendly sites, more direct promotional events and just some good old-fashioned top rated customer service.
- Retailers do not always offer the same deals in the brick-and-mortar stores as they do on their online stores because the costs of running a community establishment are considerably greater than an online store.
- When you have a specific list of things you want to buy, with just a couple clicks of the mouse, you can purchase your entire shopping order and instantly move to other important things, which saves oodles of time.
- You can send gifts to relatives and friends easily, no matter where they are. You need not make distance and excuses for not sending a gift on occasions such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and so forth.
- You can buy the same thing you've seen in the local store nearly always for a substantial savings.
- You have a "Shopping cart" icon that reminds you how much money you are or will spend upon ringing up.
- If you work crazy or irregular hours or are simply just very busy, you likely do not have the time to visit the store. Shopping online allows you to buy things without being pressed for time or disrupting your schedule.
- The Internet has fewer traps. Physical stores are designed to lure you into buying more items. They use posters, end caps, shelf placement, sales messages, colors, aromas, sounds and store layout to herd you around. The most popular products are typically in the back because the owner wants you to view all of their other products. High demand or must have items (you willingly reach for) are on the lower or upper shelves. Less demanded or impulse items get line of site placements. Many people will find a few additional items by the time they locate the thing or few items they originally came in for.
- Physical stores often make it difficult or impossible to do discrete shopping when buying certain items. For example, buying lingerie without getting a few awkward stares is nearly impossible. There are many instances you sometimes might feel embarrassed about buying when others are around. Shopping online gives you complete privacy as you will not have people looking at you or in your shopping cart. Not only that, the online receipts are usually designed discreetly so no one can actually tell what you bought.
- Another advantage of shopping online is cutting down the bad habits done while standing in a long line just waiting. For example - making those expensive little impulse buys surrounding the checkout registers such as purchasing magazines, lighters, snacks, candy bars and whatnot.
- Every online store is designed with unique individual ordering features to select, purchase the item and be on your way.
- There is more variety: The choices online are endless.
- There is the opportunity to get several brands and products from different sellers all in one place.
- You can have access to the latest International trends without spending money on airfare.
- You can shop from retailers in other parts of the country, or even the world, as you are not limited by geography.
- A far greater selection of colors and sizes than you will find locally are at your disposal. Apart from that, the stock is much more plentiful. Some online shops for example - have provisions in place to accept orders for items out of stock that will be shipped when the stock becomes available. Or, you have the option of taking your business to another online store where the product is available here and now.
- No pressure sales: We've all been awkwardly propositioned by eager salespeople. You don't have to put up with that online at all. Again, you are completely in charge of the experience.
- You have Infinite choices: Space is at a premium at a brick and mortar stores and as such, the selection of goods is limited as well. This is not the case with an online store as normally the available inventory is abundant providing you with unlimited choices. Additionally, should you not find the goods you want in an online store, you simply seek out another store.
- As a shopper, the power rests with you to not just go down the block but rather around the globe.
- You have unlimited access to consumer opinions, reviews and recommendations for virtually any product you seek out online. By reading reviews and analyzing the pros and cons of a product, you are better able to make an informed decision about a contemplated purchase.
- No pressure sales: We've all been awkwardly propositioned by eager salespeople. You don't have to put up with that online at all. Again, you are completely in charge of the experience.
You actually will ultimately have fewer expenses when shopping online. Many times, when one opts for conventional shopping, there is a tendency to spend a lot more than planned. Sometimes because shop keepers pressure customers or have their employees use their selling skills to compel people to make additional purchases. Sometimes, we ourselves compromise on our own choices because of the lack of selection in brick and mortar shops. There are other outside expenses too on things such as eating out, transportation, and let's not forget those impulse buys that we did not really originally need. Facing the truth you have to realize that less compulsive shopping happens when shopping online.
Ronald Hudkins is a published author of both fiction and
nonfiction works. He is an advocate for consumer awareness. He is also
the administrator of a popular Internet Shopping Mall
[http://HaveItAllMall.com]