by Rachelle de Bretagne

Created on: April 22, 2007   Last Updated: April 29, 2007

Is shopping online really cheaper ?

Shopping anywhere, whether offline or online can prove cheap, though assessing whether online shopping is cheaper is a difficult and complicated process that needs to take into account so many elements that add to up cost.

Assessing Value

When shopping online, it is very tempting when you see an offer to press that Add to Basket button and buy. Similarly, on auction sites, the prices you see may astound you, though careful thought before getting to that stage really needs to be undertaken. Can the same goods be seen in your local high street ? If they can, taking a close look at what they offer gives you an advantage because close up, some items turn out to be disappointingly flimsy and not at all as presented on screen.

A photograph doesn't always show you the build of an item, and if shopping for quality items, checking what they are like and comparing them with other makers of repute can give you a much better idea. Complex explanation on websites can baffle you, and by shopping around locally, you can ask the questions that you may not be able to ask online.

Look at prices in local shops, make good comparisons. If you are an impulse buyer, take the time to assess who is offering what and also the price tag.

Postage

While many prices online look cheap, beware that sometimes the price charged for postage and packing makes the price less realistic. This is particularly so on auction sites, where sellers exaggerate the price of postage to make their package look cheap. What happens is that when a buyer makes a bid, it's too late to question the price of postage. Know what they are charging in advance before pressing that commitment button that could cost you dearly.

Similarly on shopping sites, you get the opportunity of seeing what postage costs are before committing to the purchase. Do check the shipping costs and in many instances, these make the price less advantageous. Some sites offer free shipping for orders over a certain price, and these are well worth investigating. Amazon are particularly good at offering special postal deals.

After sales service

Before buying expensive items online, think about the kind of after sales service you are going to be able to get. Here, in buying an expensive camera, I found a local shop with a price promise that said that they would match any price on the market for the same goods. By getting information from the Internet and proving that sites were offering better deals, they kept their promise,

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