November 15, 2009
Do you like the ritual of shopping in a traditional brick and mortar store, the smell of Chanel Number 5, the hustle and bustle of crowds, the soft Muzak floating in the air? Or do you say nuts to that, and order stuff in your pjs on an online shopping site? Both styles have their advantages and disadvantages. Shopping in a store is more of an outing. You can meet with friends, have lunch, and most importantly, touch and feel the merchandise you're purchasing. On the other hand, online shopping is just so darn convenient. You can order shoes, groceries, electronics, and books all without moving off of the couch. So which is your favorite way to spend, spend, spend (let's pretend it's 1996 for a second)? Maggie Mason of Mighty Girl asks, "Do you prefer online shopping or in-store shopping?"
What's your favorite way to shop? How are you planning on doing most of your holiday shopping? Join the Momversation by commenting below.
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15 Comments
I only buy from the Internet duracell batteries. When it comes to online shopping it's really dangerous. there might come the possibility that there is a fake site, but when it comes to batteries I know that fake duracell batteries don't exist so I trust sites to buy them. I do this because I work too much and never have the time to go buy them from a shop, and I must say that I use them a lot.
Thu, 2010-01-14 10:14
I like the theory of shopping in real life -- both the browsing and the people-watching (and, really, supporting local merchants). But where does anybody with a kid at home, especially a toddler or younger, find the time? I mean, Lou -- a whole afternoon? There are just so many things competing for that To Do time...
So, I end up doing most of my shopping online or via catalogs (which is a pretty slim difference, although it does allow for browsing, in front of the TV usually). You have to develop some knowledge of what kinds of things you can buy without trying them on, and which require in-person testing, and also get good at reading descriptions (so that the plaque you plan to hang on your wall doesn't end up being a postage stamp). But I figure that the postage costs are more than made up for in terms of (a) my time not spent driving (and wrestling with my kid along the way) and (b) being able to fit a quick trip to Amazon (or Etsy or wherever) into a coffee break, or act on an idea the instant that I have it, rather than having to make a list and then squeeze it into my handful of hours of unclaimed time at home. The occasional trip to a post office to return things is pretty much moot.
Tue, 2009-11-24 16:32
Online shopping Rocks
Wed, 2009-11-18 22:30
I am with you Rebecca; shopping is all about the experience. I love browsing stores and perusing local merchants. However, I live in a very little "city" surrounded by corn fields, so my options are very limited. So I do a lot of shopping for clothes online so that I have some selection to pick from. For things like gifts and regular every day purchases I love to visit my local Target, or the little mom and pop shops in our downtown area. Growing up in the metro Detroit area, I miss having all those shopping options available to me.
My husband however is 100% an online shopper. If he can buy something online and never have to separate himself from "the other woman" (his computer) he is a happy man. He is just giddy when those packages show up at the door. It is like Christmas for him every time he gets something in the mail.
Wed, 2009-11-18 18:43
I also love online shopping! I'm addicted to it! It's the fact that you kind dream of something and then go get it.. the instant gratification thing. And I'm obsessed with shopping for swimwear online. My favorite site is www.theorchidboutique.com. LOVE.
Wed, 2009-11-18 14:20
I love online shopping, especially if it is a bigger company or company like Boden who doesn't have stores in the US. It's great way to shop, especially if I know exactly what I want. But I love shopping at my locally owned stores. Here in Portland we have so many great small, specialty businesses it is fun. And I find lots of amazing things I would never know about otherwise.
Wed, 2009-11-18 13:08
Thanks, Asha and Giyen, for mentioning local businesses. The recent price wars over books demonstrate how important it is to value the work of artists, writers, and suppliers--before the big-name retailers determine what gets published and sold. Most independent bookstores (like the one I work for) have a website, so it's still easy for the at-home shopper to get good books, and often at a discounted price. Sure, the discounts aren't as steep as Amazon's, but look at what you're paying for...a lot of work goes into creating a book, and we should reward those who make that happen--just like we pay high prices to see a concert or get quality items. I'd love to see more voices on the Internet championing the local/independent businesses out there.
Tue, 2009-11-17 10:12
I love shopping online! My absolute favorite sites are ebay and etsy. I cannot get enough of ebay, I totally get off on the wheelin' and dealin'. And etsy? The lover of kitsch and all things handcrafted side of me is in heaven.
Mon, 2009-11-16 17:49
Let me start by saying that I am not a shopper.
That said, when I do get the itch I love to go into stores and escape. BUT, I usually get things, try them on or put them in my cart and then put them back, never committing or actually spending money...yet it fulfills my need to "shop." So I'm a faux shopper, you could say.
Same with online. Do you know how many online carts are filled with stuff that I never buy? A lot!
"Hi! I'm Sarah and I am a commitment-phobe shopper."
Moving to Hawaii has made me even less of a shopper...it's just too damn expensive! That being said, moving to Hawaii has also made me have to shop online more. For example, I need new shorts for my son. Even here on Maui, we have winter clothes in stores at the moment (WTF?!) with little to no shorts. So, I hopped online to get them.
I was also a Target addict back when we lived in California, yes one of the first symbols my son learned was the Target symbol. "Targ-gey!" he'd say as we drove up to the doors of heaven.
BUT, my world collapsed when we moved to Maui where Target has not yet graced me with their presence (Yes, I am starting a "we want Target NOW!" campaign on the island.) So that lead me to having to shop Target online. They have the best deal - spend $50 and get free shipping. Easy peasy!
Oh! And I am a procrastinator. Shopping online and procrastination DO NOT go well together :)
Mon, 2009-11-16 15:30
I do both fairly regularly, but I think I enjoy online shopping a lot more. Especially Amazon. Because you can find anything, and it's discounted. I love that I can find things online that I never knew existed and things that are 100% original. My goal this year is to buy all my Christmas gifts from Etsy.
There are some things I just won't buy online though. Like makeup. I need to be there in person and see the colors and make sure they go with my skin. And jeans. Unless I know a particular brand and style, then I need to be there to try them on.
I do a lot of online shopping, but sometimes I do get the urge to just get out there walk around the mall and just be amongst the stuff. I don't know why, and I rarely buy stuff on those occasions, but I do crave it sometimes. Maybe it's a social thing as Rebecca says.
P.S. I adore Mighty Goods, keep up the good work :)
Mon, 2009-11-16 14:07
I'm mostly about the online shopping just for sheer convenience, but like Rebecca, I work from home, mostly alone, and so real shopping -- well, ok, "traditional shopping," -- is a great way for me to get out of the house and talk to people. Most of the time when I'm out shopping, though, I'm really just browsing, looking for those great ideas I can come home with and seek out online to find the best price.
My exception? Books! I do everything I can to support my local independent bookstore, even while the siren call of Amazon beckons me with it's ease and smaller prices.
But that's a sort of everyday experience. For Christmas, I try to do everything online just so I can avoid the madness of actually stepping into a store (or heaven forbid, a MALL!) in late November or December. And especially since I got married, and Christmas now involves traveling either across the country or in a car for a dozen hours to celebrate with family. With online Christmas shopping, I can pick out what I want and just have it sent to my holiday destination!
Mon, 2009-11-16 11:18
I am a huge fan of shopping online especially when it comes to holiday shopping. I cannot stand the crowds of people in the malls in November/December. And it makes me crazy to go into a store, battle the crowds to find out that the item I want is not in stock, and I will have to come back again, or drive to another store to look for it. Absolutely drives me batty! When I go online I can see very clearly that they have my item in stock, what size it is, and how much it costs. I can do price comparisons and more often than not find a coupon to discount my item, or get free shipping on it. The ease of shopping online just makes it a win/win for me.
Mon, 2009-11-16 10:26
I’m totally with you about online holiday shopping. I have almost ALL my shopping done already thanks to my mouse. I actually work with MasterCard and they just launched the Priceless Gift Finder (www.priceless.com/giftfinder) which I think you’ll find really helpful.
Wed, 2009-11-18 08:32
I'm with Rebecca on this one ... I LOVE to shop the 'old fashioned' way. I love taking an afternoon - mostly solo - and wandering through shops, people watching, and just being out and about. I will occasionally shop online (easier to find pants/jeans online - very tall) but much prefer to run around town.
Mon, 2009-11-16 07:43
I'm stuck in the middle on this one. There are times that I shop online and love it, and then there are times that shopping online is the devil.
I live in a small town and the closest mall is about an hour away. It's an OK mall, but you don't have the stores and styles that you find in a big urban area. In that case, I enjoy shopping online. It allows me to buy stuff that I can't get in person unless I'm on a very expensive vacation. I also shop online when I am on a mission to find something.
It's darn near impossible to find clothes that fit me. It brings me tears at least half a dozen times a year when I'm trying to find clothes that fit. For that reason, shopping online for clothes is not realistic for me. If all companies had standardize sizing, it would be easier. Unfortunately a small in one store is a large in another store. I also avoid shopping online because I'm afraid it may become addicting. It's just too easy to access online shopping, so it's best that I avoid it whenever possible.
As I said in the beginning, I'm stuck in the middle. For me, there is no right answer
Mon, 2009-11-16 07:36