The Internet could easily be argued as one of the wonders of the modern world, if for nothing else than the fact that it gives us access to goods and services all over the world…and at just the click of a button.
It goes without saying that online shopping is also more convenient than “real” shopping- just look at this comment that a frazzled Target shopper submitted to Mashup Mom:
“My Target trip took almost an hour — finding things, waiting for security to chase the guy in front of me who tried to pass a fake $100 bill and for them to void out his transaction (!), arguing with the cashier about the difference between a “purchase” and a “transaction,” having to stop at customer service because a mobile coupon didn’t come off… plus the time printing, clipping, and loading coupons before the trip.”
This memorable complaint is just one of the reasons why I prefer shopping online versus going into a brick-and-mortar store. But I have 10 more!
10. The Internet is always open.
If I feel like shopping at 3 am in the morning, there’s always a store open for me- at my computer.
9. You can access product reviews as you shop.
Of course, I can also bring my iPhone with me to my brick-and-mortar store and peruse customer reviews while I shop. However, it’s just not easy or convenient to be scanning through 10 different product reviews and comparisons on such a tiny device. And that’s if I even catch a WiFi signal. Also, call me paranoid, but stores are increasingly using your mobile devices to track your movements in-store.
8. The selection’s better.
I’ve gone to clearance sales held in-store and online through the same retailer, and invariably, the selection (and especially the sizing) is always better online.
7. You can often create a deal by abandoning your shopping cart.
Many merchants engage in a type of “recovery marketing” tactic where they track abandoned online shopping carts and follow up with customers to determine the reason. In many cases, merchants cajole those hesitant shoppers back to their unfinished purchases by offering an additional discount. You may not get a discount offer every time with every merchant, but it’s a tactic certainly worth investigating.
6. Free shipping on minimum orders.
In the past, online shoppers frequently complained about the cost of shipping when shopping online. Luckily, many merchants today offer free shipping when an order minimum is reached. In other cases, free shipping may be offered as part of an online promotion or coupon code. If you look carefully enough, you can often score free shipping with your online purchase.
5. Free in-store pickup.
If your item is too big to be shipped for free, or if the store doesn’t offer free shipping, you can often just arrange to pick up your item in-store. While this does entail you driving to your store location, it still means that you save on the hassle of shopping in-store. For those of you with kids, picking up your merchandise at the customer service counter can mean a huge savings in time as well as money because your kids won’t be tempted to start browsing and throwing stuff into your shopping cart.
4. No long checkout lines.
Amazon offers its patented 1-Click checkout and maintains all your shipping and payment information online. This makes online checkout a breeze. Other online merchants have also followed suit. This beats standing in line at a brick-and-mortar store any day.
3. Coupon codes are easier to use than coupons.
I used to regularly clip paper coupons before going shopping, at least until I calculated just how much time this activity was costing me and how much money I was really saving in turn. Nowadays, I “clip” online coupon codes at sites like RetailMeNot or CouponChief. The savings are usually bigger, and the time it takes me to find a code is minimal. Plus, I’m not paying for a Sunday newspaper.
2. You can still supercoupon.
You’re not stuck redeeming just one coupon or deal when shopping online. By combining deal codes with deal sites and credit card points, you can effectively supercoupon your way to big savings. For example, Discover offers a cashback bonus through its credit card. You can use your Discover card to purchase a Groupon, which offers a sizable merchant-specific discount. And finally, if you go to Groupon through a site like Swagbucks, you get additional points from Swagbucks for your credit card-discounted Groupon.
1. Not your size? Return it in-store.
According to the U.S.-based National Retail Federation, 87% of retailers allow customers to return merchandise that was bought online to brick-and-mortar stores. This is an increase from 82.5% in 2013. So, if I purchase some article of clothing that doesn’t quite fit me (pesky holiday pounds!) I know I am not stuck with a too-tight dress or pair of jeans.
And finally, one extra reason:
Online deal sites like Deal Trunk!
Nowadays, most shoppers look up coupon codes and deals on items prior to engaging in online shopping. To this end, many online deal sites, like Deal Trunk, offer better value on items purchased online versus in-store.
Also, online daily deals are likely to increase in the future: According to a study conducted by Rice University, up to 61% of businesses that run daily deals make money on those promotions. Also, online daily deals become more profitable for businesses as they gain experience running those promotions. Thus, a majority of businesses aren’t losing out by (repeatedly) offering great deals to online shoppers.