Tips for Shopping Online
In today’s digital age, trips to the local mall and shopping centers seem to be less frequent. People are now buying almost everything online from a variety of vendors. It is a common misconception that shopping online is simple and there are many ways to end up with the wrong product at the wrong price. Below see some tips to help you shop more efficiently online.
Amazon and Amazon Prime
It is true that shopping on Amazon is simple and with Amazon Prime you can get your items quickly; however, Amazon is not guaranteed to have the best prices and you could end up purchasing something from a third party vendor and not Amazon directly. On the product page, you must ensure who the seller is. Amazon will list on the product webpage if they are the seller or if they are the site another seller is using. Many people make a living selling products on Amazon and Amazon does take a percentage of the sales dollars for the product as a commission for using their website. A lot of times you can find the same product cheaper elsewhere online from a site that does not have to pay Amazon a commission.
Ordering Groceries
Grocery stores now offer delivery or curbside pick up as an option to help you save time during your busy day. The obvious plus is you can save time and sometimes delivery is needed if you are stuck at home for one of many possible reasons. However, the downside to these programs is you do not get to pick out your fresh produce, milk, and meats yourself. By ordering online for in store pickup you never know what quality of product you will be getting. Some grocery stores will give you the best possible product, some will give you older product, and some will give you whatever is sitting first on the shelf. So be aware of where you are ordering your food from and make sure you trust them to give you good quality products otherwise the time you save will not be worth it.
Ask Questions on Larger Products
A great way to save money is to order larger products online such as furniture. Buying these items online allows you to save money by not having to pay for the markup needed for a store to pay for its overhead and operations. Many people are cautious of making these purchases; however, there are ways to ensure you get what you want in the manner you expect. The first and most simple thing to do is ask questions. Any quality online business will be happy to answer questions about the product you are interested in. If you are unsure about a dimension or color on a product ask prior to purchasing. You can call or send an e-mail and by simply asking questions you are more likely to be satisfied with your purchase. In addition, if a company does not answer your questions, you must come to terms with the fact that this company might not be worth doing business with.
The Best Price Might not be the Best Option
People are always trying to get the best prices on the products they desire; however, sometimes it is worth paying more. If a company is selling a product for a lot less than the competition, there must be a reason why. The first question worth asking is, are you getting what you are expecting? A number of companies will show an entire product online but sell only part of the item at a reduced cost. It is hard for a consumer to tell what they might be purchasing, so as stated above do not hesitate to ask. A quality online business will always be willing to provide you the information on a product and what you are getting. So don’t just assume two companies are selling the exact same thing at difference prices without knowing what you would be getting.
Returns and Shipping
Buying a shirt online is very different than buying a couch. Make sure you read all the terms and understand how shipping and returns work prior to ordering a product. Many companies offer free shipping if you purchase an item; however, if you wish to return the item you might be responsible for paying the transportation fees. In addition, some larger items are not able to be returned or might have a restocking fee. With the wide variety of products available online it is important to read the shipping and return policies of the company you are purchasing from. Any company worth doing business with will be very up front about what the return policies are. In addition, shipping might not include inside delivery. A shirt can be shipped with ease but a couch usually requires an LTL style carrier. These carriers typically are contracted for dock delivery. Dock delivery means they will pull their truck to a loading dock, if one is available, or nearby on the street or parking lot. You would be responsible for unloading the truck if that is the case. Sometimes lift gate trucks and inside delivery are available for a cost, just simply ask the company prior to ordering a larger product.
Google is a great way to compare products from a number of different companies; however did you know companies pay for positioning on key words. When you search for something on Google the company that pays the most will likely show up on the top of the page. This means you might not be seeing the best price up front because these companies have to pay for advertising. Do not be afraid to spend the time to scroll down below the ads and even look on the second page to seek out a quality company to purchase from. Many times the companies that are worth working with show up a little further down on the Google search results. So be patient and make sure to look at work links you are clicking on.
Website Quality Matters
Many companies care about their image and the ease of use of their websites and many do not. Any quality online business wants to make the shopping experience simple and easy for the consumer. So make sure to pay attention the website you are on. If the information is hidden and hard to find and the website is tough to navigate you might be looking at a lesser quality business. Look for websites that are simple to use with upfront pricing, terms and conditions. This will ensure you pick a company that wants to make your purchasing experience a good one. If the website is not clear about what you are ordering it might be worth contacting that business or looking elsewhere.
Purchasing items online can be a great way to save time and money; however, it also a dangerous marketplace. Make sure you take the time to research and shop and make sure you ask questions via phone or email if you have any. Don’t be scared to shop online but be smart while doing so.
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