Online Shopping Is Better Than Offline Shopping

This convenience comes at the expense of purchasing goods which do not match up to the shoppers expectations which are more likely to be immediately realised in a store offline. That is not to say that the individual has not chosen to buy online after having seen the item in real life, but for those who purchase without having done so, there is always this danger which would go on to cause inconvenience. However, it’s also a matter of caveat emptor, isn’t it?

The kicker is that you still need to wait awhile for your package to arrive in the mail. You usually have the option to get your package the next day but it’s going to cost you a pretty penny. If you don’t mind waiting for your package to arrive or you’re willing to spend a lot more for expedited shipping, then online shopping might be better for you.

Instead of your dollar floating across the country to someone 2000 miles away, often when you spend locally, that dollar stays in your community, multiplying itself and serving other local businesses. According to several studies done by AMIBA (American Independent Business Alliance), 48% of every purchase you make at local independent businesses will recirculate locally instead of only 14% being recirculated at chain stores. Since many small businesses will serve each other and the community with events or other services, it will also enrich the lives of you and your neighbors. That means improved services, employee salaries, charities, leisurely activities, parks, food, and events all provided in your own community. However, that is only if you are making purchases at local non-chain stores and depends on how those local businesses distribute money within your community. Most likely those small businesses hire local workers and provide services to other people in the community before that money goes out. Even if you make purchases at chain stores that are local, around 14% of the profits will recirculate first.

When you buy something offline, you are usually able to see the exact design and quality of the item before you buy it where as an online purchase will not always show the best-detailed presentation of an item. According to The Federal Trade Commission, online stores may use a number of deceptive tactics to sell their products which require you to read the fine print closely. Because of the way items are sold online, there may be additional terms to the purchase or fees that they do not show you until you check out. Some items may turn out to be refurbished, cheap remakes of a brand name, an older model or incorrect size of clothing. Since you are able to try the item on or see if it’s authentic before purchasing at an offline store, you don’t run into the problem of returning the item at your expense or taking up a lot of your time.

Even when you are in doubt with a purchase offline, you will be able to speak with a physical representative to ask any questions. When purchasing online, you sometimes have the option to speak with a representative but often the information given isn’t what you are looking for. According to Psychology Today, sometimes body language makes communicating your needs much easier than speaking in person. Since speaking in person is easier and quicker, you will not have to sit on the phone with a representative or wait days for an email reply. In addition to representatives being more helpful, you will also get to interact with other shoppers and see other people. A lot of people enjoy seeing others out and about which makes their shopping experience better. Who knows if you will run into an old friend or meet a new interesting person that you have a great conversation with. According to a report done by Kenneth Dixon of Stanford University, internet use has lead to an increase in social isolation. If we are lead to believe that humans are social in nature, then online shopping can impose a major change in the way we live, potentially leading us to become unhappy and unfulfilled with life.

There is more risk of your information being stolen online than offline. When you shop online, you usually always have to provide your personal information as well as your payment details when you check out. According to Identity Hawk, that information usually goes into an online database which thieves can more easily gain access to if they hack into it. In addition to the database, some scam artists or retailers use other tactics to steal information and money online such as fake emails, unauthorized purchases and compromise unsecured computers. As long as you are vigilant and monitor your payments when you are shopping online, you should be safer.