With the ever-growing presence of the internet are the increasing opportunities to do things online. Instead of meeting up with a friend, you can video chat with them or book an entire vacation without leaving your couch. The internet has brought many great advantages to everyday life, but that doesn't mean everything it allows you to do is the best option.
Consider what you buy online. There are endless websites to order from that all offer something different - free shipping, BOGO sales or even membership discounts. Are you really getting a good deal when you buy things online, though? It depends on what you're putting in your cart. Check out some things you should order online whenever you want, and some that you should only ever buy in-store.
Things You Should Buy Online
Feel free to place these things in your electronic shopping cart:
Electronics
Whenever you're about to buy something expensive, you should always be confident you're getting what you've purchased. Name-brand stores that sell electronics online always ensure this, and usually provide an easy, additional fee to add a warranty to your new laptop or phone. Buying electronics in person is more difficult, since you don't have easy access to reviews or search engines to look up any questions you might have about the product.
The key to shopping for electronics online is to avoid any sites where the electronics might have been preowned or refurbished. Sometimes there can be damage to the electronics that store employees might not notice while they're getting the item ready for sale, so you could end up paying extra cash down the line in repairs.
Baby Products
One thing that every expecting parent quickly realizes is just how much money it costs to have a baby, and most of that money goes toward getting supplies. That's why getting everything online is your best option. There are sites that offer reoccurring shipments with discounts that'll save you cash, and it'll especially save you time. No more midnight diaper runs!
Gift Cards
When you think of buying someone a gift card, you probably think of having to go into that particular store to load the card up. That's not the case anymore, thanks to the internet. Now there are websites available where you can buy discounted gift cards to save money. Ultimately, saving money when getting gift cards is the best way to go, instead of accepting that free ice cream or soda that comes with a gift card purchase at local restaurants.
Textbooks
Textbooks nowadays are way overpriced for the budgets that students have to struggle to live off of. Campus bookstores typically can't help much either with sales or specials, since they're almost always partnered with their textbook supplier. That's why you should order your textbooks online.
You can do things like compare ISBNs to check prices and beat the long line on pickup day by having them shipped straight to your home or dorm. You might even be able to find promo codes to get an even bigger discount, which means you can put that extra money toward your meal plan or tuition.
Airport Parking
Flying can be a joy or a pain, depending on the overall experience, and that starts in the airport parking lot. Rates have risen in the last few years, which can make your trip quickly turn from great to terrible once it's time to pay up. If you can't find a friend to drive you to the airport, try buying your parking online.
Buying your airport parking through the internet gives you access to specific sites that specialize in getting parking discounts. You'll save yourself money and time, easily getting in and out of parking so your trip is breeze.
Things You Should Buy In-Store
For some items, like these, it's always better to buy them in a store:
Groceries
Many grocery stores are beginning to offer services that allow you to order food online and pick it up at the store. This may seem great for people who don't have time to wander around the store, but it could actually end up as a waste of your money.
Getting good groceries often depends on picking out what you prefer, like one box of strawberries over the other or the freshest cut of meat on the shelf. If employees pick them out for you, they may not pick out what you'd normally like, sending you home with food you'll struggle to eat. Instead, always get groceries in the store to guarantee good-quality food for the money you'll be spending.
Clothing
Buying clothes online can be addictive, since there are sometimes more options online to choose from than on the rack in the store. However, clothing all comes down to how it looks and feels on you. Even if you only buy from the same brands and know your size, you never know if your online purchases will arrive too small or big, or even with holes you couldn't preview online.
This rule goes for everyone, even though it's a stereotype that young people like to shop online and should have access to sites with good online stores. In fact, 39 percent of millennials prefer to shop in-store, so don't feel pressured to think buying clothes online is the best option. Many people still shop in-store, especially if it's for something they're going to wear.
Bicycles
Whether you're buying a bike for fun or for competition, your best bet is to buy it in a store. You should always make sure the bike has been made for you. Looking for things like seat size and handle width is important, since the bike should carry you through the years to come. It's also good to support local businesses if they produce something you're passionate about so you can grow your community.
Flowers
Advertisements for flower shops are all over billboards and TVs, with numbers you can call and websites you can visit to order without going into the store. However, this isn't the wisest option. By shopping in-store for the flowers you want to send to your loved one, you can see and smell the bouquet firsthand. You'll know that when it arrives in their hands, they'll love not only your kind gesture, but also the flowers themselves.
Furniture
Furniture is like clothing in that before you buy it, you have to see it in person to make sure it's right for you. A couch or bed can look great online, but have a fabric you hate when it finally ships to your home. Colors can be distorted in online pictures and necessary details can be left out. That's why when you need to buy furniture, you should go to the store and take your time picking out what you like. That way, you know that what you're getting is something you'll love.
Sometimes it's great to buy something online. The internet gives you access to things that are cheap, specific promo codes and reviews you couldn't get in-store. However, sometimes it's better to visit a store if what you need has to have a particular feel, fit or smell that can't be guaranteed online. Think ahead before your next purchase so you buy what you need from the right place.
After graduating from Penn State with degrees in Marketing and PR, Sarah moved to Harrisburg to start her career as a Digital Media Specialist and a writer. She later founded Punched Clocks, a site dedicated to helping young professionals navigate the work world and find happiness and success in their careers.
