More and more people are discovering the convenience of shopping online versus going to a store. With the cost of gas on the rise, you to factor in whether or not a shopping trip is worth the money spent on gas. If you’re limited on time, shopping online is a lot faster than roaming the aisles of a store and then standing in line to checkout. Of course if the store you’re in doesn’t have what you’re looking for then it means having to go to another store. Before you know it, you could be spending three or four hours shopping, while online you could be done under a half hour.

Yet, you do need to exercise caution while shopping online. Some items are better off being purchased at a store. These steps will help you know when to buy online and when to head to the store.

Making purchases online

Although you can purchase most anything online, you want to make safe and sensible purchases. The following items are ones that typically are cost-effective when purchased at an online store.

• Bulk items. What are some items that you typically stock up on? Toilet paper? Paper towels? Paper plates? Laundry detergent? Some websites, such as the dollar stores, offer reduced prices if you purchase items in bulk. If you wait until the site offers free shipping and handling, which many already do if you spend a certain amount, then it can be very cost effective to have bulk items delivered to your door.
• Drugstore items. Items that you use on an everyday basis, such as toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo or lotion, can easily be purchased at one of the drugstore sites. Often, once you start to regularly ordered from the same site, you’ll receive special deals or bonus bucks to be used towards future items.
• Games, books and toys. If you specifically know what you’re looking for, often you can get these items cheaper online than at a store. For example, near the holiday time, Toys-R-Us offers ridiculously low prices on a lot of their toys and games when ordering online. You’ll also discover that there are many items that can only be purchased online and not at the retail store. Barnes & Noble frequently has discounts on their books and gifts.
• Cut out the middle man. If you need a specific car part or a special size screw for a home renovation project, rather than going to a store and having someone order the part for you and charge you, there are reliable sites where you can chat with a customer representative either online or by phone, and they will help you order exactly what you need.
• Clothing, shoes, and accessories. Purchasing clothing, shoes and such online can be cost effective if you’re certain of the brand and size. If you’re ordering clothing from a new site, you won’t know if the items tend to run too big or too small until they arrive at your door and you can try them on. The unfortunate thing is, if the items don’t fit you’ll have to pay the shipping costs to return them.

Tips on purchasing items online

Sometimes you’re in a rush for an item and just need to quickly make a purchase. When possible, you should do a little prep work to ensure that you’re getting the best deal possible.

Here are some tips to consider when purchasing an item online.

• Get free shipping and handling. Many online stores offer free shipping and handling if you spend a given amount, or from time to time, they will offer free S&H regardless of the size of your order. If you’re a first time customer, the site might entice you with free shipping and handling.
• Check for coupons. Coupons are readily available and can easily reduce the cost of your items by 10% or more. If you Google, Yahoo or Bing a site you might find coupons. Coupons will also appear in Facebook. If you currently receive a catalog or flyers from the company, many of those coupons can be applied towards online purchases.
• Pay attention to warranty and guarantee information. Knowing the company’s policy regarding a product’s warranty and/or guarantee can make or break an online purchase. You want the assurance that if a product arrives to you damaged or it just doesn’t meet your expectations, that you can return the product. Find out if the company will only do an exchange or if they’ll give a refund. If you choose to purchase a “slightly used” item from a site such as eBay or Amazon, then chances are there won’t be a warranty or guarantee.
• Compare prices in advance. There are some good websites that will help you compare the prices of an item. You’ll also need to factor in whether or not you’ll need to pay for shipping and handling.
• Check the clearance racks. Just as you enjoy finding a great bargain at a store, online stores often have sales as well. You might just find what you’re looking for at a great price.
• Read over the descriptions carefully. There’s nothing more disappointing than opening up a package and discovering that an item is half the size that you pictured it to be. Take the time to read the descriptions so that you’re certain of what you’re ordering.

Making purchases at a store

When buying something that is big and bulky, it’s probably best to purchase the item at a store. For example, if you’re looking for a lawn mower, you could get it online. However, if something goes wrong, it might be harder to get it repaired locally than if it was purchased from a local store. If there is ever a need to return the item, then it’s going to cost big bucks.

When you’re looking for a special dress for a prom or a wedding, you’re going to want to look at the dresses close up and try a few on. This isn’t possible when shopping online. Also, any kind of clothing that needs alterations will be cheaper if the item is purchased from a store that’s connected to providing the alterations.

If you’re unsure of what you’re specifically looking for, then shopping at a store makes better sense than shopping online. For example, if you’re in the mood for a new kind of perfume, a candle or a room spray, you’ll want to be able to test sample the product before buying it. Once you find something you’re happy with, the next time you can order it online.

Some gift items should be purchased at a store rather than online. If you’re buying an item that might need to be returned, quite often it’s easier to return an item to a physical store than it is to an online store.

The choice is yours…

Whether to purchase items online or at a store, the choice ultimately is yours. Shopping online means you can shop any hour of the day or night, which isn’t true of most physical stores. If you prefer to use PayPal or a credit card, then online shopping will offer more choices than at a store. There are still some stores that will only take cash. On the other hand, some people love the thrill of going to several stores and finding great deals.

Author: John Terris