by Jennifer Corrow

Created on: September 20, 2010

Shopping in itself is a difficult task.  It is the never-ending saga of trying to find the right item at the right price and at the right time.  On-line shopping only exasperates this problem.  Now with that said, going shopping is awesome!  Nothing is more electrifying than buying a new pair of shoes or a great purse.  Yes, this is a contradiction of thought.  On the one hand, shopping is fun and almost therapeutic and then on the other hand, shopping is frustrating and exhausting. 

One could blame the new economy we live in today.  People are hurting in their finances, so the thrill of shopping has now taken a back seat to paying the bills.  Americans are now searching for the great bargain.  Usher in  the Internet and the all-amazing idea of on-line shopping.  This is a unique tool that can be of assistance and turmoil. 

If you happen to pursue the "bidding for products" sites a.k.a. EBay for example, you may find what you are looking for and so are twenty or more other people at the same time which just leads to stress of claiming the article over others.  Ugh.  What a hassle.  It can be much easier to just get in your car and drive to your local Wal-mart store, tag it, bag it and bring it home.  Unless of course its a more valuable item  or a one of a kind item that you just can't find anywhere else.  But realistically, most of us "normal" people aren't necessarily looking for those particular things right now. 

And then there's the regular merchandise on-line stores.  Nine times out of ten, one could almost never find the right size or color simply because those companies are usually already out of stock in your area.  Sigh.   Again, your chances are greater in finding that certain something you like  just by taking a leisure drive on a Saturday to your local mall and physically do the shopping.  

The greatest pain in the butt of on-line shopping is the shipping process!  What if you need that product sooner than later?!  Waiting five to seven business days can be daunting.  And even if you pay the additional charge to have it shipped express doesn't necessarily guarantee that the item will arrive when it says it will.  It still may  be within the five to seven days before you see it.  And let's not forget that you cannot order breakable items on-line.  You might as well tell yourself ahead of time that it more than likely will arrive broken.  Argh. 

Shopping can be fun, and it can be challenging.  See?  There's no contradiction at all.  It's all relative.  Shopping is shopping, a constant battle to find your deal.

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