Our behavior in online shopping has evolved over time. Due to numerous advantages, people these days prefer shopping online rather than buying directly from stores. Here are some of the main reasons why people love online shopping and their advantages and disadvantages.
5 Advantages of Shopping Online
Convenience
There is no bigger perk than convenience when it comes to online shopping. There are no cashiers or lines, you can shop from the comfort of your couch. Online shopping gives you an opportunity of shopping 24×7 and at the same time rewards you with a ‘no pollution’ shopping experience.
Better Prices
Since there are no middlemen involved, cheap deals and better prices are available online. Plus comparing prices is easier on the internet. Additionally, you are also saving up on expenses you’d have to incur for gas and parking.
Variety
The best part about shopping online is the variety that they have to offer. You can hop in on the latest international trends without spending money on airfare. As long as they deliver to your area, you can shop from a different city, state, country.
Sending Gifts is Easier
Sending gifts to relatives and friends is easier. The packaging and shipping is done for you. Sometimes they even offer to gift wrap it for you. Distance is no longer an excuse for not sending gifts on occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, etc.
Discreet Purchases are Easier
Some things are better done in the privacy of your homes. Some consumers shy away from buying certain goods from stores and prefer buying them discreetly. Online shopping enables these buyers to make purchases without any embarrassment or paranoia.
Disadvantages of Online Shopping
Negative Environmental Impact
Having several layers of plastic and cardboard around your parcel is good for you, but not so great for the environment. Due to the packaging required for shipping parcels, you create unnecessary waste by shopping online.
Shipping Delays
Even the best shipping companies have their bad days, there’s no way to ensure that you’ll receive your delivery on time. Items getting damaged, lost, detoured, or delivered to the wrong address is the inevitable part of any delivery.
Risk of Fraud
There is a risk of fraud when you’re shopping online. Credit card scams, hacking, identity theft, counterfeit products, and other scams are quite common.
Complicated Returns
Some sellers make their return policies breezy for you. On the other hand, there are sellers who will make this process quite tedious. Many times, there is almost no reimbursement for the shipping costs that you bear. If you hand select what you want to buy in person directly from stores, returns can be eliminated completely.
No Sales Assistance
In a store, there is always someone to help you out with your buys. Sales assistants help you out by narrowing your search down. However, if you have questions while shopping online. Well, too bad for you. You may end up making a blind purchase and regret it later.
Online shopping has its pros and cons, there are more pointers than the ones that we’ve listed above. However, there is no proof that one side outweighs the other. Shopping online is about personal preferences and choices that people want to practice. Buyers will see where their convenience lies, and decide if it is beneficial for them or not.
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