The following is a brief excerpt from several different sources, noted below.
MOST
OF THE 48 MILLION people
whom analysts expect to shop online this holiday season aren't playing
at Web shopping for the first time – we've been doing it all year.Online
sales should top $11 billion this year.98
percent of a Zdnet shopping survey respondents claim to be comfortable
or extremely comfortable using the Internet.
ADVANTAGES OF SHOPPING ONLINE
You don’t have to leave home. Can shop
in stores around the world.
The stores are never closed. No waiting in any
lines, or carrying any bundles.
An online gift registry allows you the luxury of keeping track of gifts
you buy.
Hard-to-find items may be easier online.
DISADVANTAGES OF SHOPPING ONLINE
Connection speeds may slow ordering.
Navigation of some shopping Web sites is difficult
Fragile objects may not travel well in the mail (i.e., glass, flowers)
Shipping and handling charges may apply. Credit card security may be an
issue.
Can’t get instant gratification like going to a store.
BENEFITS
OF CATALOG SHOPPING
No screens to scroll through.
You can take a catalog with you unlike your PC.
You don’t incur online charges. Some catalogs have more
products than online.
DISADVANTAGES
OF CATALOG SHOPPING
You have to fill out forms. Delivery
of goods may take longer if you mail order.
May be out of date. Can’t get instant gratification like going to a store.
TIPS FOR HOLIDAY SHOPPING ONLINE
START EARLY By going online early to shop, you avoid high shipping
costs and ensure that you get everything you need on time.
MAKE A LIST The Internet can be considered the biggest mall
ever — in a virtual sense. Make a list of gift ideas before going online
to avoid navigating through countless screens and have a general idea of
what sites you may want to surf. This will make your virtual shopping experience
an easier process and you don’t have to spend your time surfing.
CHECK RETURN POLICY Read the delivery and return policies of
e-commerce Web sites before completing an online transaction. You should
ask questions like — Do you have to pay shipping if you don’t like what
you ordered? Are items returnable? You should especially inquire
about warranties on electronic merchandise like radios or computer accessories.
MAKE IT FUN Gather your friends or family, grab a drink and snacks,
and go shopping together. This will allow you to bounce ideas off each
other and get into the holiday spirit.
SHOPPING
SAFELY ONLINE
Some people still aren’t comfortable with shopping on the Internet. Much
of their concern has to do with security and privacy issues.
PAY BY CREDIT CARD SAVE RECORDS
READ PRIVACY POLICIES
CHECK OUT RETAILER – http://www.bbbonline.com
and http://consumerreview.com
SHOPBOT
– Shorthand for shopping robot
Does comparison shopping for you.Shopbots
work best for electronics, books, music and videos, the categories the
Web has the broadest selection.Examples
http://mySimon.com
Web
Sites for shopping - complied by WSCUGR
http://www.amazon.com
http://buy.com
http://www.couponsurfer.com
Web Sites for shopping - compiled by WSCUGR - 2002
Books, toys, misc. http://www.amazon.com
Music from '50s http://www.rediscovery.com
Cameras, photo equipment http://b&hphotovideo.com
Shopping locally - best advertised prices http://saleshound.com
Gift Certificates - http://shopsimon.com
Comparison shopping - http://bizrate.com
Airline tickets - http://expedia.com
Airline tickets - http://www.orbitz.com