Good Online Shopping Essay Example

With the development of the Internet, online shopping has been a major interest in businesses and consumers. The ability to purchase products online has made it easier for people to obtain items that are not available where they live. From major retail chains to online businesses only, online shopping has become a benefit for people of all ages. Retailers such as Amazon sells merchandise from companies overseas such as China, Japan, and even Germany. It allows for people to be able to purchase electronics, clothes, and even foods with special online discounts. However, the ability to shop online can come with negative benefits as well as some positive ones. This essay will examine the cause and effect that online shopping brings to consumers.
As mentioned earlier, online shopping has been a thing since the invention of the Internet. Many online retailers started off small before transforming into the giant they are now, Wal-Mart and Target are a few examples. In order to reach more customers, they took their business online for people who do not live within a vicinity of the store. Starting off, most online retailers only offered clothing before adding electronic items, food, and even personal hygiene items. With the increase of people shopping online versus those who continue to shop within the stores, online retailers had to offer things that would entice more people to become online shoppers. One example is Wal-Mart having daily deals displayed on their mobile application and website. These “cyber deals” are only available to people who shop online. Another example is the “Cyber Monday” deal. This deal comes on the Monday after Black Friday, where many people go to stores to purchase their Christmas gifts. Cyber Monday offers online discounts only in various stores, such as Best Buy, Gamestop, and Newegg, and promising discounts varying to 15% or 50% off if purchased online. Some stores even offer a “buy-one-get-one-free” deal if a consumer purchases a certain item. Many online places, Amazon for example, offer free shipping on the products if it is over a certain price. To beat the immediacy that purchasing in-stores can be, online retailers offer the option of rush shipping on their items. This option does cost more than buying it in the store, but some people are not near a place where they can go to the store or the store does not carry the item that the consumer needs. Online shopping has created many benefits and disadvantages to consumers.
The positive effects of online shopping can outweigh having to go to stores in person for consumers’ personal needs. One of the benefits is the convenience it offers. If a person sees that they are running low on a certain item, they can search online of many retailers and order the item. Depending on the urgency of the item, they can pick to have it ship in the standard three to five business days or opt to have it expedited. A person doesn’t have to go from store to store hoping to find the item, and then waiting in the checkout line to purchase it. Online shopping is accessible 24/7 and not to mention that many major retailers have support centers that are 24/7 as well if a shopper needs help purchasing an item. There are also downloadable content that can be purchased and used immediately, such as electronic books and video games. Another benefit to online shopping is that you are able to compare prices of items between different stores. A person does not have to go to different stores hoping to find a better deal. Google can compare the price difference of an item between many different stores and even point out the store that is closest to the consumer. It also offers discreetness when it comes to purchasing items of a personal matter. Many online retailers ship their products in a non-identifiable package which lets the consumer not have to worry about other people seeing what they have purchased. However, despite the advantages that online shipping can bring there also some disadvantages as well.
One of the negative effects that puts many people off online shopping is the wait time. The standard wait time to receive an item bought online is between three to five business days. If it is something of importance, then many people will opt to go find the item in the store to avoid the waiting. There are options to have to item rush shipped or for two-day shipping, but that costs more and many people do not want to add $7-9 on what they are already paying for. Another disadvantage is that sometimes clothing pictured on the website do not match what is sent in the mail. For example, a person can order an evening dress from a clothing retailer and receive an item that is not similar to what is pictured. There are many accounts of women ordering clothing for a special discount from online retailers that do not match the description on the website. To go along with that, it is harder to get refunds for an item since it has to be shipped back before the company will process it. Depending on where the person purchased the item, there can be different refund policies set up and specific ways to request a refund.
Online shopping has become a huge hit since the creation of the Internet. Many major retailers have taken their business online to reach more customers. Due to that, there are many advantages and disadvantages of online shopping. A few of the advantages are discreet shipping, the convenience it provides, and the ability to compare price between different stores. Some disadvantages are the long wait time for an item to arrive, the chance that the item will not be what is advertised on the website, and the hassle of requesting a refund for the wrong item. Despite all of this, online shopping will continue to be a thing as long as there are people who enjoy shopping from the comfort of their homes.