Pages

Thursday, June 8, 2017

Why internet shopping is so great & so frustrating

Since we moved I have been shopping a lot more than usual. New furnishings for the house and clothing for me almost all done by internet except for the saga of the 5 tries it took to find the right down comforter and buying our new beds. Sheets and blankets were a combo of in person and internet shopping. We are supremely happy with our new beds, sheets, comforter and bed skirt. I like my new pillow and we are still working on blankets.

Oh, and there was the evening run to replace the French press that broke so we could have coffee the next morning. Essential.

I really want to talk about what I learned in the last month about shopping via the internet and hear from you about your experiences. It is so easy - its all available for a price without leaving your home. Once you start browsing, algorithms suggest additional items to look at and consider buying. If your local store doesn't have it then you can probably order it online.

Sometimes that worked out this past month.

We bought 2 pieces of furniture via the internet. A storage bench for our bedroom and a TV stand/cabinet. Neither one is high quality but we weren't looking for items to last a lifetime but rather to fit specific needs in this specific house for the time we live here.

The gray storage bench is working out well and once it finishes out gassing chemical smells I'll like it even more. It is a place to sit and put on shoes comfortably and will store out of season bedding. It fits well in the space. The price was right with the discount coupon that was part of our address change package. It arrived with no damage.

The TV stand is a bit weird, but the space we have available made it hard to find one to fit. What is weird is that the shelves inside the glass front cabinet are a different color than the rest of the unit. Again, it arrived with no damage. We are going to keep it as it was the only one I found that fit our needs.

And sometimes it just cost me money for shipping and return fees.

Clothing shopping has had a worse success rate as you would expect. I am pretty much through ordering clothing online even though I despise going shopping in person for clothing.

I will continue to buy online things I have successfully worn before and favorite brand shoes as long as they are shipped and can be returned for free. In May I got online 2 pairs of jeans and 2 bras that were the same/similar to ones I had and that was great. I will also continue to buy accessories, vintage or new, via Etsy as that has worked well.

What didn't work out in May was a too small maxi dress and ditto for a sheath dress; a too large chino skirt: and not as shown in the picture capris and a top. As a result, I've taken several stores off of my online shopping list and simply will not buy from them any more.

Do you like shopping online and how do you make it work for you?





16 comments:

  1. I do the majority of clothes shopping online. What absolutely drives me insane is that though my shoppping is done online, they also send catalogs in the mail. I get at least one a week from one company and sometimes more. Such a waste of natural resources and my time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You know, when I left this comment, I took the opportunity while I was thinking about it and had a few minutes and called some of the companies of the catalogs that I receive a TON of and opted out of their mailings. They said it would take a month or so to see them stop, but that is okay. I will watch for the slow down! :)

      Delete
    2. Glad you were able to contact them to get off the mailing list. I have noticed that usually there is a box to uncheck before placing the order that will keep me from getting marketing emails and catalogs but it isn't obvious.

      Delete
  2. I like buying DVDs, toys, and books online as I can do my shopping 24/7 and these items are pretty much error-free. I also shop and book my flights and hotels online. I prefer to do this myself as opposed to going to a travel agent. I have not found a travel agent who has travelled more than me to recommend a decent travel route to where I want to go. I'm sure knowledgeable travel agents are out there. I just haven't found one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good points! I do those things online too.

      Delete
  3. I'm pretty fussy about only ordering clothing from stores that allow returns at their brick and mortar locations. I do a lot of online shopping with H&M for example, ordering in multiple sizes because I can simply walk the returns back to my nearest location.

    I tend to utilize online shopping the most for things I need, but don't necessarily feel passionate about. I research extensively before ordering larger ticket items I'm struggling to find locally. Many times I do my due diligence in actual retail stores, then order online to maximize selection. A good recent example is new set of patio furniture I ordered from Ballard Designs. I stopped in at actual patio stores, patio dept of other stores (like Home Depot and Target), and researched and researched online - viewer reviews, Better Business Review, Angie's List, Houzz.com. But still, I often feel like I'm pulling the trigger when I order, realizing there is a certain going blind to the whole process.

    The ying and the yang - love the convenience, don't love the unhappy surprise if an item isn't quite as I'd imagined.

    Someday do you think we'll bring all those brick and mortar stores back because we'll have realized we went too far in the opposite direction?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow, interesting question about the potential return of brick and mortar stores. I haven't a clue but really doubt it as the next generation won't see that as an interesting option. Probably we will see more online fitting apps that create virtual doubles?

      Delete
  4. I have had a couple of disappointing experiences with buying clothing online, most recently a dress, size M, that wouldn't fit my 6 year-old granddaughter. Need to stick with clothing stores where I have made successful purchases.
    I ordered an upholstered bench for the foot of our bed from Wayfair and was very impressed with the quality of the piece, free shipping, the total price.
    I used Amazon an awful lot for ordering books, beauty products like Vitamin C serum, essential oils. The Prime shipping has saved my skin many times!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree that Amazon is great for so many things and saves a lot of running around. We have subscriptions for the dogs food and treats, bought AC filters, etc. from them.

      Delete
  5. I've had fairly good luck ordering casual clothing from Land's End and L.L.Bean, stocking up when they offer 40-50% off. I will admit that their quality has changed down thru the years, but both companies have excellent guarantees and LLBean offers free shipping, to and from, if you order their credit card (I ordered it, just for the free shipping, but never use it). Once I find an items I like, I usually order multiples. In the past, I have used Zappos for shoes, but often end up returning them. Our adult children order nearly everything online and don't mind making returns until they're satisfied. I guess that's the key to online shopping. Isn't it amazing how much technology has changed our lives?!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think you make an interesting point about the key being not minding making returns!

      Delete
  6. I shop almost exclusively online, mainly from that evil empire that begins with A (we even got our motherboard for the stove from them), ad a few other exclusive stores. The two clothing stores I order from both allow in store returns and have sizes comfortable across the board, so I know their sizes and colors.I dont get excited about shopping online as such, I just find that I simply no longer have the patience for myltiple stores. Exceptions are hobby store, local mom and pops (of which we have many in my area) and a few things along those lines.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sounds like you have figured out how to make it work for you.

      Delete
  7. Internet shopping is exciting as people have almost access to every single product and may be it is frustrating because of the quality.
    Essay writing services UK

    ReplyDelete
  8. I order from amazon a lot after I see something in the store and they don't don't have my size!i have ordered name brands mostlyDresses are the exception they mostly are poorly made!i like wayfair Target EBay and Etsy!! In any case you need to do your homework! Also know that many stores price match amazon prices!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We do order from Amazon & Target for lots of items just not clothing except shoes. I also like Etsy and Wayfair came through with our first time using them.

      Delete

Thriving Thursday Week 13 - Little things edition

Have you heard about the National Association of Realtors settlement agreement related to home sellers having to pay the buyer’s agents comm...