Online Shopping or Brick and Mortar Shopping?

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 06:36

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 09:26

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 10:18

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 14:30

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 09:12

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 13:20

Online shopping Rocks

Wed, 2009-11-18 21:30

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 09:14