Advantages and disadvantages of Internet shopping

Discussion in 'General Marketing' started by tontan, Aug 22, 2012.

  1. #1
    What do you think advantages and disadvantages of Internet shopping are?
    Have you ever had any trouble regarding to the shopping?
     
    tontan, Aug 22, 2012 IP
  2. ablaye

    ablaye Well-Known Member

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    #2
    Disadvantages:
    1) You can see, "feel" and try the product before you buy it. This is true especially for clothes and furniture.
    2) Online security. There are many fraudulent sites out there and not all the legitimate ones are secure.

    Advantages:
    1) You can shop from the convenience of your own home. No need to drive or walk to a store.
    2) You can visit multiple online merchants and find the best price for a product without much effort.
     
    ablaye, Aug 22, 2012 IP
  3. techlead

    techlead Active Member

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    #3
    Adv:

    You can get them for cheap

    Dis:

    You can't test the product and pick a choice
    Waste of time sitting before internet and searching hours for discounts
     
    techlead, Aug 22, 2012 IP
  4. 1kaday

    1kaday Active Member

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    #4
    Advantages:
    1.Because you're not geographically limited, you can buy almost anything from anywhere. For example I can buy on Amazon books which I will never find at my local bookstore. Ebay is another great place where, for example, I bought a timer which I couldn't find at my local fitness store.
    2.You can often cut the middleman, unlike traditional stores or superstores where there is a wholesaler, a supplier etc. For example an author can sell his ebook directly from his own website if he wants to, and on sites like Etsy you can buy handcrafted items directly from artists. You can help musicians by buying their music directly from them or on sites like bandcamp.com. So there's more chance to express social justice when shopping online.
    3.Anonymity - I personally hate it when I get to a store and a commission-driven sales assistant sticks to my a** and won't leave me alone until I make it clear that I can actually take care of myself. That's why I'd rather press a few keys and - voila - the package is at my doorstep. This can also help people who'd buy stuff which they wouldn't want to be seen with (adult stuff for example.)

    Disadvantages:
    1.Although you save the trip to the store, you often need to pay S&H (Shipping and Handling) for your product as well as taxes when delivering from abroad, and that can get pretty hefty.
    2.If you buy electric stuff, it can sometimes be complicated to leverage the product guarantee if there's no dealer in your country
    3.If you order fragile items such as china, glass etc. there's risk of breakage during shipment
    4.Sometimes it takes too long before the item arrives. That's why, for example, if there's a book I want to read right now I'd rather buy at my local store if I can find it.

    Hope that helps :)
     
    1kaday, Aug 22, 2012 IP
  5. bushgooseberry

    bushgooseberry Peon

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    #5
    Adv.

    You find a wide range of item you want.
    its safe your time and money.

    Dis.

    The only one disadvantage is that you can't try the product before buying.
     
    bushgooseberry, Aug 23, 2012 IP
  6. adbash

    adbash Active Member

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    #6
    Disadvantages:
    You can make deal with some cheater

    Advantages:
    You can buy rare things
    You can buy cheaper
     
    adbash, Aug 23, 2012 IP
  7. JoeBlogggs12345

    JoeBlogggs12345 Peon

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    #7
    Pretty much hit the nail on the head!
     
    JoeBlogggs12345, Aug 23, 2012 IP
  8. nikolasss

    nikolasss Peon

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    #8
    Advantages:
    by low you can exchange the item within 14 days without explaining the reasons
     
    nikolasss, Aug 25, 2012 IP
  9. stonepost

    stonepost Peon

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    #9
    No, there are very less losses of internet shopping. It has very much transparency. if any body want to buy a business or any things then it has much trust then usual methods. So it's a very good idea.
     
    stonepost, Aug 27, 2012 IP
  10. freeadstime

    freeadstime Well-Known Member

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    #10
    Waiting for shipment is the worst part and the best part is the amount you save through online purchase.
     
    freeadstime, Aug 27, 2012 IP
  11. SocialNinja

    SocialNinja Peon

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    #11
    Advantages:
    - Checking out is quick
    - You don't have to deal with other customers or employees; sometimes a plus :)
    - On your own time, convenience; it doesn't matter if it's 2a.m. in the morning
    - Depending on where you are buying from, you can read reviews from other buyers who bought the same item/review the seller's rating
    - You can research on prices, plus shipping prices.

    Disadvantages:
    - Waiting for shipment
    - Can't test out the product before hand or 'see and touch' it in person, if you're buying shoes for instance - hope that the size 7 is REALLY a size 7.
    - Scam sites to watch out for
     
    SocialNinja, Aug 27, 2012 IP
  12. BiggyJ

    BiggyJ Peon

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    #12
    Advantages are basically convenience, more to chose from and usually a cheaper price, also being able to do the research on items on the spot.

    Disadvantages would be waiting for the product, you can't feel it before getting it, security.
     
    BiggyJ, Aug 27, 2012 IP
  13. Sabrina_Gage

    Sabrina_Gage Member

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    #13
    Advantages:

    - Convenient. My shopping won't be limited for factors like whether, location, opening time (most online shops are open 24*7), etc.
    - No carrying. I don't need to finish my shopping ahead of the planned time due to I cannot carry more things :p. The carrier service will simply send my goods to the place I want them to be.
    - Time saving. I don't need to spend extra time on the way.

    Disadvantage:

    - Specifications unclear. Pics and descriptions are sometimes not sufficient enough to decide whether a good is the right one for me, especially for clothes and shoes. But thanks for the live chat technology, today I can talk with the seller for more detailed info. when choosing.
    - Less fun. I used to shop with the girls, and when we do this, it's actually something more than "buying things". We talk, discuss and having coffee together in the afternoon, while when do it on the Internet, I cannot find so much fun.
     
    Sabrina_Gage, Aug 28, 2012 IP
  14. norman grey

    norman grey Greenhorn

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    #14
    advantage: you can buy the things you want anywhere, anytime.
    disadvantage: you have to wait for a long time for the item/s to be delivered.
     
    norman grey, Aug 28, 2012 IP
  15. ninjamtlt1

    ninjamtlt1 Active Member

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    #15
    It's easy and quick, and you don't have to leave your home :) But it's slightly less secure, so... :)
     
    ninjamtlt1, Aug 29, 2012 IP
  16. emma dcosta

    emma dcosta Peon

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    #16
    You can shop at your ease, but sometimes while shopping your account details is hacked. Sometimes the product shopped is not exactly the same you had been looking as it is virtual shopping.
     
    emma dcosta, Aug 29, 2012 IP
  17. Gianni Palazzo

    Gianni Palazzo Member

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    #17
    advantages:1- You can buy from any part of the world, at any time.2- You can buy from different merchants at the same time.3- You can compare prices from different companies, countries, products, etc.Disadvantages:1- It is easy to get ripped off by a fake agent or merchant.2- Sometimes when you get the product delivered to your door, it turns out not to be the product you were thinking of.3- Sometimes the product is not delivered at all to your door step.
     
    Gianni Palazzo, Sep 3, 2012 IP
  18. clarie.texas

    clarie.texas Peon

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    #18
    i just like you this point ... this is major demerit of internet shopping....
     
    clarie.texas, Sep 3, 2012 IP
  19. JerrickYeoh

    JerrickYeoh Active Member

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    #19
    Advantages of internet shopping
    - able to find more choices in the short time
    - might able to get cheaper price
    - easy to compare products with lot of review site on internet
    - easy and fast payment methods
    - able to purchase item which do not able to find in nearby or offshore.
    - Mostly shipping service provided.
    - save time

    Disadvantages of internet shopping
    - payment security not strong enough
    - intangible,hard to prove the quality
    - still exist lot of fraud in market
    - unable to get the product on the spot , do need wait for the shipping
    ( But it seem doesn't come with serious concern after they have lot of technology , service and legal rules to protect buyer purchase online )
     
    JerrickYeoh, Sep 4, 2012 IP
  20. sigmainfo

    sigmainfo Active Member

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    #20
    Advantages :
    No hardwork, you can get your item at home.
    Many options to compare your competitive product.

    Disadvantages :
    Chances of getting your money lost.
    Damage product.
     
    sigmainfo, Sep 5, 2012 IP