Shopping In Store vs. Online

Deciding between taking a ride or going online
Are you the kind of person who enjoys perusing store by store at the mall in the hopes of finding what you need? Or do you prefer to sit at your computer or tablet in the comfort of your own home, filling virtual shopping carts with items?

The truth is, there’s no right or wrong; it’s purely whatever floats your boat. However, there are certain items that you may be better off purchasing from a good old brick-and-mortar store, and ones that you may benefit from buying online. Next time you’re in the market for one of these items, you may want to consider the venue in which you buy them.

Books – Best to buy: Online
Why: Independent bookstores such as Barnes & Noble or local booksellers sell most of their products at full retail price. But at e-commerce stores such as Amazon or Half.com, you can typically save a staggering 30 to 50 percent. Plus, when you’re ordering a book, you know exactly what you’re getting (whereas with something such as clothing, it could look different in the picture). You can buy a book online anytime you’d like, new or used, and most of the time, sellers will offer free shipping or shipping at a minimal fee, (which is usually still less than what you’d pay at a retail bookseller).

TVs – Best to buy: Online
Why: More often than not, online prices will be lower than in store (unless the store is one to match the online price, which is becoming more common). And while stores typically have a range of TVs where you can evaluate its pictures, you can also use Consumer Reports TV Ratings to get an accurate picture quality assessment. Additionally, many retailers often set their TVs to a retail or store mode, which heightens brightness and color in a way that looks perfect under fluorescent lights. Do some research before you buy, and that way, the right TV for you can be delivered directly to your door.

Party supplies – Best to buy: Online
Why: When buying décor for a birthday party, bridal shower or other celebration, you’re likely looking for products that fit a specific theme, and that can be hard to come by or take up a lot of time when searching by walking the aisles in stores. When you shop online for party supplies on sites like Amazon or eBay, or retailers such as Oriental Trading or Party City, you can easily sort through the products and find exactly what you’re looking for. Another plus: Many online stores that specialize in party supplies offer promotions, discounted items and even free shipping offers on select orders.

Clothing – Best to buy: In store
Why: Ever bought a shirt or pair of pants online, happily opened the box when it arrived at your home, only to be disappointed in the look and fit? Buying clothing online is risky; you never know fully if the sample picture is off or if sizes vary store by store. Plus, even when you return clothing after buying online, you typically won’t be refunded the shipping costs, and some retailers’ return policies may not be ideal.

Cell phones – Best to buy: In store
Why: Despite how many reviews you read about phones, you won’t get a true depiction until you hold it in your hands. Everyone’s different, and the features on a phone are important to one person may not be as necessary for another.

Food, beer, wine – Best to buy: In store
Why: While online food and beverage shopping may seem like a time saver, in the end it can actually cost you more money than going to a traditional grocery store. Many products sold at online stores can be marked up to prices similar to those of a convenience store. And, many online retailers don’t take coupons, which limits your ability to save in that respect. It’s also rare for an online store to practice price matching, which is a practice many stores are executing now. And don’t forget about shipping costs — a price you won’t have to incur at a supermarket.

There’s always a bargain if you do the research, so take your time and you’ll be on your way to extra savings in no time.