Online or offline, get only the best deal

Virtually filling the basket (read shopping cart, as they fondly refer to it online) with your favourite items during a quick shopping spree or spending hours exploring busy markets to select the best bet available. What do you prefer?

The whole idea of stepping out alone or with friends and walking around the markets, scanning the shops and examining items on display, is a rather fulfilling experience. But those who are unable to spare extra time are happy browsing through the virtual world. It may not have the same feel-good factor, but is surely a convenient way of gratifying one’s daily needs.

From clothes to footwear, books to gadgets, online shopping websites ensure the virtual market never runs out of stock or variety! Offers and discounts are equally appealing. But not everything is worth buying. “Retail shopping, despite being time consuming, is the best for buying clothes and footwear, but books and certain other things can be bought online. Since physical examination is important, electronic items, clothes and footwear should not be bought online,” believes Deeksha Arora, a student who frequently orders books, pen drives and hard disks online.

Flexible payment options like cash on delivery or online payment make shopping websites a preferred choice. While online payment fastens the purchase process, security concerns and money getting blocked till the time delivery is due remains a concern. “Cash on delivery is better as I can cancel my order at the time of delivery if I am not satisfied. But I usually pay by card as it’s more convenient. In fact some portals provide added discounts to pre-paying buyers,” says Srishti Sharma, a Mass Communication student.

Online media is emerging as a popular platform for all kinds of promotion. As Srishti informs, “Apart from shopping websites, online exhibition portals like Brand Your Brands offer designer clothes, wedding planners, information on restaurants all at one place. I can directly contact the brand, without having to deal with middlemen.”

Ordering things from the comfort of your home may be easier, but the inability to personally judge the item can be problematic; mainly because of misleading product images on the website. In case of faulty products, following up becomes really difficult. “I once ordered a folding cupboard online. The delivery was made after a fortnight and even then the assembling rods and other items were missing. Also, the product was not as good as it appeared online. I called the website to demand immediate replacement and refund, but they refused and promised to send the missing parts within a week. I had to repeatedly call them every day before the parts were finally delivered two months after the complaint,” says Achla Gupta, a housewife, adding that she will never opt for online purchase now.

You alone are the best judge for your requirements. Managing some time to personally shop for your needs can help you get the best deals, saving the effort of replacements and depending on any website to decide it for you.