by Maria Papadopoulou

Created on: January 12, 2010   Last Updated: January 13, 2010

In spite of the convenience online shopping offers to people, there are still people who prefer to shop in stores instead. What seems to be a mystery can be logically explained though.

Why do people still shop in stores when they can go online

1. Test the products

Shopping online deprives you of the opportunity to test the products in order to see if their quality meets your standards. Shopping in stores gives you the opportunity to test the products at your own pace, as well as ask for clarifications and details that only the face to face interaction provides.

2. Negotiate the prices

When shopping online you do not have the chance to negotiate the product prices with the seller. The prices have been set and you can either accept  them or not. On the other hand, when shopping in stores you are able to ask for a discount or arrange to pay in  installments, according to your own convenience. If you buy plenty of things and you manage to become friends with the shop owner, it is likely that he will offer a discount on his own.

3. Identify the mistakes from early on

When shopping online you take the risk of ordering things without being absolutely sure about their quality and when you are not satisfied you have to return them  and wait for the refund. However, when shopping in stores you can identify  potential mistakes from early on and opt not to proceed with the purchase, choose something else on the spot, or if you have already  completed the purchase, go back and ask for  a refund right away.

4. Pay in cash

Most of the time, a credit card is required for online purchases. There are people who do not have credit cards though and prefer to pay in cash. Shopping in stores gives them the chance to pay in cash.

5.Interact with people

Shopping online, convenient as it may be, deprives you however of the opportunity to interact with other people, as it is a lonely experience. When shopping in stores you get the chance to bring your friends with you to give you their opinion or shop as well, become friends with the shop owner, talk with other customers and meet new friends.

6. Mix business with pleasure

When you shop in stores you get the chance to make a a stop at a coffee house nearby to enjoy a nice cup of hot coffee, try on the new fragrance at the store around the corner and check out the new beauty spa across the street. Shopping online does not let you take advantage of all the opportunities presenting themselves on the streets.

Whether you shop online or in stores, it is equally important to learn to make the most of it.  Both options have something unique to offer and that makes them equally useful, just in a different way. Learning to take advantage of what each option has to offer will be ideal.

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