Why Shop On-line
Money-saving truths about on-line shopping
Most people don’t equate shopping with saving money. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, sales from on-line retail shopping will have increased from 172.4 billion in 2005 to 328.6 billion in 2010, with 265.8 billion of those dollars projected to be spent in 2008 alone.
If you haven’t thought about shopping on-line you might want to reconsider. Heading to a brick and mortar store will waste more than just time.
Here are some common misconceptions about on-line shopping, along with money-saving truths that are often overlooked.
Shipping costs too much – Even if you live near the stores, you’ll still use a lot of gas sitting in traffic and circling crowded parking lots. The stop and go traffic means a lot of wear and tear on your car, not to mention your patience. Many major retailers with an on-line presence offer flat rate or free shipping during peak shopping seasons, while some sites offer these perks all year long. Sometimes you can find free shipping codes on Google.com.
I can’t see what I’m buying – Most consumers like to put
their hands on a product before they buy, but on-line shopping
offers something much more valuable – the user review. There
are entire websites that are dedicated to consumer reviews of
products. Amazon.com displays user reviews of thousands of products. Whether you’ve already selected a product or simply want help choosing between two or more, user reviews and comments can be a great source to help you get the most for your money!
Returning stuff is a hassle – Returns can be tedious. Returns by mail, however, may be preferable to having to stand in slow customer service lines. When your purchases are shipped to you, they will usually contain a prepaid return label for your convenience. If a label is not included, you can easily mail your
returns back via the US Post Service. By going to usps.com,
you can pay for shipping on-line and print a coded mailing
label from your home computer. You can also schedule a free pickup by your carrier, all without leaving the house. But if you’re still determined to stand in line, many retailers will allow in-store returns for on-line purchases. Review the return policy carefully before placing your order, and be sure to save all of your paperwork in the event that a return is necessary.
My account information won’t be safe – In most cases, it’s
just as safe as it is when you swipe your card at the store.
Additionally, most banks will protect cardholders against
unauthorized purchases, so check with your card issuer for
details.
The best sales are in the stores – While it’s true that some
deals may not be on-line, the fact is that many are. Better still, most websites have clearance sections where prices may be slashed by 75% or more. To compound your savings, do an on-line search for the name of the retailer and the words "coupon codes." This is an easy way to find discount codes to enter at checkout for free shipping or 20% or more off of your entire order.
With all of these benefits, it’s not surprising that shopping on-line is a growing trend! And you can do it without even leaving the house! Consider taking a look at a few secure sites to see if just maybe on-line shopping is something that you should reconsider.