Online shopping is one of the easiest ways to get what you want without leaving your house. With your smartphone being literally at your fingertips, you can buy anything from plane tickets to car parts and replacements. And don’t forget groceries. While shopping online is convenient and fun for most of us, there are also some disadvantages. Learn the PROS and CONS to make sure you are doing your online shopping safely and the right way.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Online Shopping?
Pro: Shopping Online Makes It Easier to Find Clothes You Want
Online shopping offers more varieties and sizes. Finding a specific shirt or skirt that fits you and your needs isn’t always easy. When you shop in stores, it could be the perfect dress, but just not in your size, or the ideal pair heels, but it’s not the color you want. But when you shop online, your next option is just one click away. And the best thing is, you can go back and forth between websites.
Con: You Can’t Try Things On When You Shop Online
Having an infinite amount of clothing choice may sound nice at first, but what about the material? Not all descriptions on online shopping sites tell the material of your clothing. You don’t want your package showing up and you find out that the company gave you cheap materials! Then you realize why it was so cheap in the first place.
Pro: You Can Shop from the Comfort of Your Own Home
You had me at comfort of my own home! This is definitely the first thing that comes to mind when I think pros of online shopping. Being able to buy that fancy shiny red dress while in your pajamas. Shopping from home is great for when you don’t have the time or transportation to go to the store!
Con: Online Shipping and Handling Fees
The majority of online shopping sites do have shipping and handling fees. You might see one price at the home page of the site, but when you throw in shipping, handling, sales fees, or tax into the mix, the grand total of your order may be more expensive than you expected.
Pro: Direct Shipping
Having the option of picking your package up from a nearby store, I’m sure many of us would choose to have it delivered to our homes. Again, you don’t even have to leave your couch! Direct shipping is one of the great advantages and top pros of online shopping.
Con: Long Wait Times
If you don’t have a subscription to an online shopping site, like Amazon Prime, it can take time for your package to arrive at your home, especially if there are weather or traffic delays. This makes it almost impossible to know when your package is arriving, and it might lead you to returning it because it came late. And don’t forget the delays that come around the holiday season.
Pro: Online Reviews
Being able to see the product from other people’s point of view is great when shopping online. You can see why people gave the product a 5-star or a one-star review. This way, you get a feel for what you are going to buy before you actually buy it.
Con: Paid Reviewers
Sometimes, companies pay people to give good reviews on their product so people can be convinced to buy it. This could confuse you and actually trick you into buying a low-quality product, then they might make you pay for returns which results in them making even more money off of you!
All in all, online shopping is a great thing and can expand your horizon shopping-wise, but being careful is key when shopping online, because you never know what scam or lie will come your way.
