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Online shopping is great - if you know exactly what you want. Returns and refunds tend to be difficult or impossible. If you do return something, you have to pay the shipping costs yourself, and some places may refund the purchase price, but not the shipping costs, so if you buy something for $15 with $5 shipping and return it, it will cost you another $5 to send it back for a total of $10 in shipping fees. Some places may also have restocking charges - always read the sales agreement carefully.

It is important to factor the shipping costs into the purchase price. Sometimes things look cheaper on-line, but when you add in the shipping costs they aren't that different from the store price.

I buy CDs, DVDs and books online, and often get them used for very low prices. I keep a list of things I am looking for, then order a few at the same time to minimize the shipping costs. Usually there is a base fee and a reduced rate for additional items. For example, the shipping rate for one CD might be $5, with each additional item at $2. So if you place two separate orders you will pay $5 each, or $10 total. But if you order them together you will pay $5 for the first and $2 for the second item for a total of $7.

It's difficult to do comparison shopping online. If you are looking for a camera, for example, you can read online reviews, but it's not the same as going to a store to see the cameras and get a feel for them - and have a salesperson explain the different features.

Online shopping is easy and I love it! Shipping is usually quick, sometimes the same day you place your order. But I don't think it will ever replace retail stores. Browsing, finding things on sale, discovering things you didn't know you needed, is just too much fun and is an experience that can't be found online.

Learn more about this author, J. Goodman.
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