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Online shopping article

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The Pros and Cons of Online Shopping
Online shopping is more popular today than ever before. A report from the U.S. Census Bureau found that
in the first quarter of 2022, an estimated $250 billion was spent in retail e-commerce sales. In the second
quarter of 2011, for comparison, retail e-commerce sales were $47.5 billion.
Due in part to new and growing technology, online shopping has become incredibly easy and convenient. It
also offers a greater selection than one storefront, opening the doors to products and services that may not
be available at a nearby brick-and-mortar store.
While online shopping comes with a number of benefits, there are drawbacks to know about, too. Let's dive
deeper into the pros and cons of shopping online.
Pros of Online Shopping
Using your computer or another digital device for your shopping needs can be convenient, offer more
options, and provide insight you might not find in person at a store.
Convenience
The greatest benefit of online shopping is its convenience. Through the digital space, you can buy anything
you want from the comfort of your own home. Since online stores are open 24/7 and accessible from
anywhere with internet access, it's easy to fit online shopping into your life no matter how busy you are. You
don't have to plan your purchases based on when a brick-and-mortar store is open and available to serve
you.
Greater Selection
Because products online live within the digital space, online retailers are not restricted to shelves and often
have more inventory on hand with a wider selection of products. Also, online shopping gives you the chance
to buy anything from any retailer, no matter where you're located. If you're in the market for a new lamp,
for example, you'll have more options available to you than you would if you only shopped at stores in your
local area.
Easy Access to Information
When shopping online, you will often find more details about a business's products than you would get in
physical stores. Instead of speaking to one or two sales associates in person, you can peruse product
descriptions, recommendations of similar products, and reviews from other shoppers online that may help
you make a more informed purchasing decision.
Cons of Online Shopping
Shopping for items online can also have its pitfalls, including hidden price mark-ups, an increased risk of
fraud, and the inability to use or wear the item you purchased right away.
Can Be More Expensive
Online purchases can cost you more for several reasons. Even though many major online retailers offer free
shipping, they generally require you to meet a minimum to qualify for it. In addition, online retailers may
use several strategies to encourage you to buy more items or more expensive items than if you were
shopping in person.
Depending on the state you live in, you may be required to pay an internet sales tax, too. In Texas, for
example, you may have to pay a tax on out-of-state purchases delivered into Texas or purchases made from
online-only sellers.
Increases Risk of Fraud
Unfortunately, online shopping scams do exist. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), online
shopping was the fourth most common fraud category for consumers as of February 2022. Some scammers
pretend to be legitimate online sellers with fake websites or create fake ads on real sites.
Always pay by credit card rather than a debit card, as you can easily report fraud to your credit card company.
Also, it is best to avoid online sellers that only accept payment via money transfers, gift cards, or
cryptocurrency. Scammers may encourage you to pay through these methods so they can access your money
faster.
Leads to Longer Wait Times
When you shop at a brick-and-mortar store, you can walk away with the product you bought and use or
wear it right away. Online shopping forces you to wait days, weeks, or even longer for your order to arrive.
If you're in a time crunch and need a product right away, such as a gift, going to an in-person shop may be a
better option for you.
How To Make the Most of Online Shopping
These tips can allow you to enhance your online shopping experience.
Know Which Products To Buy Online
Some items are better to buy online than others because you can find countless consumer reviews,
discounts, or other deals pertaining to them. For items you regularly use (such as a laptop, phone charger,
luggage, or textbook), the internet may be the best place to compare offers. For things you require to have
long-lasting value (like a car) or must get right away (such as groceries), shopping in person may be best.
Read Reviews
Before you check out, read reviews on the retailer's website as well as third-party sites like Google and
Facebook. This can help you find out if the retailer is legitimate and whether there may be any potential
issues with the product you're about to invest in. Reviews are beneficial for small businesses, too. Ninetyeight percent of consumers read online reviews of local businesses, according to marketing consultancy
BrightLocal's 2022 Local Consumer Review Survey.
Examine Product Details
If you’re interested in a product, read its description. Make sure you know what it’s made out of, whether it
comes with a warranty, what sizes are available, and so on. By doing so, you can avoid unwanted surprises
that cost you time, money, and headaches when the product arrives.
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