Its official guys, I’m now an online shopping addict! I never thought I’d make that transition!
I guess I’d better explain myself; Saturday I went to Colchester to do some much needed shopping for Autumn/Winter clothes, and left two hours later – empty handed. What a wasted trip! I usually love going shopping in Colchester and often run out of money before I run out of stores unexplored; there’s always so many shops that seem to have exactly what I’m looking for, in my size, for a reasonable price. I really can’t express my disappointment strongly enough – I didn’t buy one thing! Not even a bottle of water!
So when I got home (I was in a bit of a strop, I’ll admit) I turned to the internet as a last resort. I think at this point in my story it’s gonna be way easier to make a few lists for your viewing pleasure! So here we have the pros and cons of online shopping – I think you’ll see why I’ve been converted! Lets start with the cons!
Cons
1) If you don’t have a tape measure handy it can be a bit tricky determining what size to select. I really don’t understand why clothing company’s can’t all decide on the measurements for each size and all stick to them – they’d sure get a lot less returns! Each website has the exact same measurements listed on their sizing chart, but on one of them it made me a size 14 and on the other it made me an 18! What’s up with that?!
2) I’m an instant gratification kinda girl. I see it, I like it, I buy it – I want it 5 minutes ago, not in 4-6 working days thank you.
3) I also don’t want to have to pay an extra £5 for post and package. Either be nice and send it to me for free, or make my employers give me an extra 10 minutes on top of my break so I can go and ‘click and collect’ it.
4) My understanding of having filters on such sites is so that you can tell the site exactly what you’re looking for, therefore meaning that you don’t have to scroll through loads of random clothes that you don’t like, don’t want, are too expensive or are simply not in your size. So why does said filter then show me just the skirt I’ve been looking for, in the color I want, for a very reasonable price – even though it’s 4 sizes smaller than my filter selection? THAT’S JUST DAMN MEAN.
5) You don’t have the luxury of quickly trying something on. Even if you know it’s gonna fit, it might look absolutely terrible on.
Pros
1) I am the proud owner of a tape measure. I also know how to correctly measure different parts of my body, so sizing isn’t too much of an issue for me.
2) Because I’m an impatient little so and so, the chance of me ‘impulse buying’ is dramatically reduced. Yes I like it, but will I wear it enough? Eight times out of ten the answer’s no, so not only do I save myself money but it also makes clearing out my wardrobe a lot less stressful – “It’s so pretty – but I don’t wear it… throw it…. no keep it… give it away? I CAN’T!!” – not a good day for me.
3) I guess if paying for post and package bothered me that much I could use the click and collect service – at least we have that option!
4) Now, is this just me, or do all the high street stores seem awfully crowded? And I don’t mean with people, I mean with clothes! They cram so much into the store that you can’t actually see half the stock they sell, let alone something you like! With online shopping I can see everything they have to offer me without rooting around for hours on end!
5) If it’s a high fashion-esque piece and everyone’s wearing it, the chances are that I don’t like it. I don’t want crop tops that say geek and I don’t want galaxy print leggings. But because everyone else does, items of that nature are stocked more than pieces I like. You don’t have that issue with shopping online. If they sell it, it’s on the website.
6) Yes, the clothes take longer to get to me; but I get to try them on in the comfort of my own home and pair them with different things I already have in my wardrobe. I also don’t have to put up with trying to fix my mussed up hair before leaving the changing room, the awful lighting, the poxy mirrors or having to smile politely and say ‘no thankyou’ when the fitting room girl asks if they were ‘any good’ for me.
7) I don’t have to put up with any bitchy sales assistants. Look down your nose and me one more time and you die.
8) I don’t have to get dressed and actually leave my house. Some days I want the retail therapy experience without the actual retail experience… do you get where I’m coming from?
9) You can’t use discount codes instore! I’m forever searching for discount clothes for different stores – the other day I got a dress and a pair of trousers for under £20!
10) I much prefer returning something that I bought on the internet than having to go into the shop and do it. Most companies offer free returns and I find it a lot easier and less embarrassing simply sending back a package. I don’t know why I get embarrassed instore, I just do.
If I sit here long enough I’m pretty sure I can come up with another 10 reasons as to why online shopping beats physical shopping, but I think I’ve made my point pretty clear! I know that the chances of high streets becoming a thing of the past are rapidly increasing and I’ll admit that it would be a real shame – but that’s mainly because of the amount of jobs that would be lost! Our high street stores need to sort it out!
