Advantages and Disadvantages of Internet Shopping – Shopping at your Convenience

Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of Internet shopping, requires you to know what Internet shopping is, and what it entails. Internet shopping offers you the advantage of shopping at your convenience and leisure. Internet shopping is the same as tele shopping; only, it is done through the computer. This is ideal for people who wish to avoid crowds. Moreover, the ‘shops’ you wish to visit are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year.

Purchasing online can have its positives and negatives. Some people find it convenient to do their purchases on-line, without walking into a store. Others are comfortable buying things from people across the counter. It is for the buyer to decide which type of shopping is comfortable and convenient for him or her.

Payments, for products purchased through the Internet, are made with credit or debit cards and goods delivered to your doorstep. The new development of pre-paid Payment cards has made it convenient for young people, with no access to credit cards etc, to go for on-line shopping. Purchasing through the net, in no way, dilutes your rights as a customer.

Some of the advantages of Internet shopping are:

• Price. Prices on the Internet are very competitive due to low promotional costs. Overseas products may invite taxes and duties, pushing up the final price.
• Choice. You have a global access to a wide range of shops and products.
• Convenience. Products are accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. It offers an advantage of shopping from home, at your convenience and leisure.
• Delivery. Most Internet sites deliver your purchases within a few days.

Like two sides of a coin, there are advantages and disadvantages of Internet shopping. The major disadvantage of Internet shopping is the payments made through credit cards. People are not very comfortable giving out their personal details, on the net. Such information, in the hands of people without scruples, could be very detrimental to the cardholder.

Another disadvantage of Internet shopping is that all you see are images of products you wish to purchase. Images are no substitute for touching, feeling or putting on, say, a piece of garment for trial. People who enjoy social interaction, and have the sense of community, feel uncomfortable with Internet shopping.