Tag: online shopping tips

5 Tips For Online Shopping

Shopping Online Tips

Online shopping is definitely one of my favourite hobbies at the moment – fashion delivered to your doorstep? Yes, please! I know that many women tend to find the entire concept of buying something without seeing and touching it quite strange but once you wrap your head around the idea, you will wonder how you ever did without! To make your venture into the wonderful world of online shopping much easier, I have compiled five helpful tips that will help you ensure that you get the bang for your buck!

Do Your Research

Contrary to what most people think and do, I believe that it is really important to start your online shopping with an hour or two of research. Fine-tune exactly what you are looking for so that you can make easy comparisons without any confusion! I love using product and price comparison sites to help me scope everything that is available on one page – try them, sometime!

Know Your Numbers

It sounds quite obvious but the number of ladies who purchase items online by simply “guessing” their size is way too high. Usually, you can return the item but if you cannot, then you’re stuck and your money has gone down the drain. You should know your measurements (as opposed to size) because different brands have different sizing. Before you select the size, make sure that you check their guide – even if you are always a small on ASOS. Trust me.

Check The Shipping Fees

Have you ever been in a situation where you have found the perfect item at the perfect price, you throw it in your basket, hit order and then realize that the shipping cost is more than the item itself? I have. Sales and discounts are really quite ineffective if you have to pay massive shipping fees so try to shop at e-stores that offer minimum to zero fees.

Look For Deals

I am a sucker for anything that allows me to save a few dollars so I am always on the hunt for good deals and there are simply a bunch of them available online at any given time. I know that constant emails from online stores can be annoying, but if you are subscribed to their mailing list, you will usually be the first one to know about their sales and deals. It is also a good idea to look for promotional codes and shop through cash back websites to save a little bit more.

Always Check The Return Policy

Never place your order without getting the low-down on the return policy first. Unless you are one hundred and ten per cent sure that the item will fit like it should and is exactly what you want, try to shop on websites that enable easy returns because trust me when I say that some of them can be really frustrating and give you a really hard time!

Be an Intelligent Online Shopper – 7 Tips for Virtual Customers

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To some people like me, online shopping is the most wonderful thing that the internet has made possible. For those who are either extremely choosey or have no time or love to explore all options before buying, online shopping is a life-saver.

But of course, there are pros and cons to everything. There are many issues people face with regard to quality/size of products, fraudulent websites, bad customer service or simple distrust for the entire concept of buying off the internet.

So I have compiled a list of tips and tricks that will help you shop online more intelligently, gaining optimum benefit off the deal. Rest assured, I am a very experienced virtual customer – I have barely bought anything off the rack in past couple of years!

Here’s my list of do’s and don’ts

  1. Do not trust a website with a botched up user-interface. My general advice is that you buy stuff off of standard websites that have created a good reputation for themselves. But sometimes, it so happens that you find that rare brand of clothes/shoes/accessories/supplements, etc on an obscure website that you have never heard of. In such a case, judge using the user-interface. If it is sophisticated and well-designed, it is unlikely to be a fraud scheme (creating such sites requires much investment, hardly fitting the MO of cheats). To be on the safer side still, bill your order to Cash-on-Delivery.
  2. Always look for coupon codes before ordering. Most frequent users subscribe to newsletters with shopping portals, but sometimes, even despite that, you may miss out on some discount schemes. However, there are some websites which are exclusive directories recording all schemes/coupon codes that are presently active on a site. Just do a Google search before ordering typing “<website name> coupon code <month, year>” to get a list of active deals on different websites. A few pennies saved are a few purchases more!
  3. Order two sizes when in doubt. For those who are always paranoid about sizes and fitting, order two sizes of the same product, be it shoes, clothes, lingerie or something else. When delivered, try on both sizes and keep whatever fits better. You will have to go through the process of returning the product which is slightly tedious, but next is tip will make that easier too.
  4. Take precautions for returning purposes. Most people find the process of returning bought items extremely putting off. It requires too much effort and time. Well, here are some things you can do. When opening your package, cut at the original seams so even the outermost packaging isn’t destroyed. You will then no need to repack the product, just re-seal it instead for postage. Also, keep a template mail in your drafts to use for all returns so you don’t have to write a new one each time. Just add in Order numbers and some specific details for every return.
  5. Make online payments whenever possible. This is because you will avoid many hassles. One, you’ll not have to respond to any confirmation call (pre-orders are instantly confirmed). Also, when the package arrives, you can get someone else to receive it (such as a neighbour, house-help, etc) if you are not around, since no cash needs be exchanged. You will also forgo the invariable scrounge for exact change which ensues when the delivery boy arrives. And most importantly, in case of a return request, your money will be credited into your bank account. With Cash-on-Delivery orders, the money gets converted into store credit, which necessitates another purchase for the site.
  6. Always refer to specific size charts. Every site and seller provides sizing information. Most people simply assume that the size they usually wear for standard brands will work. However, when shopping online, be doubly careful by re-checking the size chart provided with each specific item. Also, follow the chart always; if you usually wear a Small, but this chart measurement suggests Medium, go for the latter.
  7. Do not hesitate to return. As mentioned before, many people find the return procedure bothersome. Often that results in them keeping ill-fitting or dissatisfactory products and later holding the websites/virtual shopping responsible for their bad experience. Do not do this; make the extra effort to return within the prescribed time, and you will realize how convenient the service is.

If you keep these things in mind, you will eventually be able to shop online like a pro. And keep at it, after all, practice makes perfect. Best part is, shopping is something you won’t mind practising at all!