As Christmas draws near, the dread of shopping grows. In pre-internet days, the only choice was a visit to the high street. Now, of course, online buying grows in popularity by the year and the streets echo to the sound of courier vans crashing over speed bumps as parcels are delivered to our homes.
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| Image Zalando |
I'm still unsure which sort of shopping I prefer. Each has its advantages, of course. There's the convenience of sitting at home, away from the crowds, to shop online. On the other hand, it's good to see and touch our purchases in high street shops.
Many are nervous of online shopping, but simple precautions can be taken to shop safely - this advice from BBC One's Watchdog programme is excellent.
Choice is an issue. Many shops run out of our size or colour at this time of year. Online vendors suffer similar problems, of course, but at least we can easily choose alternatives at the click of a mouse. High street shops have limited stock, while online stores often operate from vast, echoing, well-stocked warehouses newly-built outside our towns. The sheer scale of the choice available online is huge; see, for example, the online retailer, Zalando. I was astonished by the size of their offering - it would be quite easy to find a new trend at Zalando - anything from sports wear, fashion to accessories and designer clothes.
Very few goods, from books to whisky, cannot be bought online. Look for sensible return policies and minimum hassle arrangements for the return of goods and, while you'll miss the buzz of Christmas shopping on the high street, you will enjoy shopping online as well.
Which do you prefer and why? If you wish, please comment below.
Very few goods, from books to whisky, cannot be bought online. Look for sensible return policies and minimum hassle arrangements for the return of goods and, while you'll miss the buzz of Christmas shopping on the high street, you will enjoy shopping online as well.
Which do you prefer and why? If you wish, please comment below.
Strangely, buying online allows me to support local businesses better than going to the "high street". I can buy items handmade in the UK directly from the makers and thus avoid all the mass-produced payment-deficit-inducing rubbish to be found in the regular shops.
ReplyDeleteEven more strangely, this also goes for food and I even found tea which had been grown in Britain!
I find personal service hard to beat - my local book seller is likely to recommend something he's read himself, there's a delicatessen up the road who can talk about the wines, beers, meats and cheeses he stocks because he's tried them all.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand stuff that's less personal is easier online. My tablet computer was sourced online because it wouldn't be any different in a shop.
You can of course support local business online as Dauvit says - don't forget many small businesses sell on eBay.
I think I prefer buying in person but in reality I'd say 80% of mine is done online. I really should have started earlier this year.
ReplyDeleteWhat's on your wish list for xmas sir?
Buckets & Spades
So much about finding an item you'll enjoy wearing long term is about the fit, and that's much easier to get absolutely right in the shops.
ReplyDeleteI have a wardrobe full of online purchases that are *almost* OK so weren't returned - in reality though, I don't feel 100% comfortable in them so they rarely get worn.