The Dilemma of Shopping at Retail Outlets vs Online Websites

As young parents, we are always looking to purchase new toys, books or clothes for our child. Most of them are either purchased from retail outlets or from online stores.

You may ask, “What’s the difference between buying from a brick and mortar shop vs an online store?” The differences are plentiful and make a world of difference to your entire retail experience.

Shopping at a Retail Outlet

Pros

You are able to see, feel and assess the quality of the product. This is crucial as you are able to spot any inherent defects of the product that you are looking to purchase.

If you have any queries about the product, you can clarify with the retail assistant. For instance, when shopping for items such as clothing, you may need to need to check with the retail assistant if the store has the size of your preference.

No waiting period. If you feel that the product is exactly what you want, all you have to do is pay up and it’s yours to bring home.

Cons

You have to travel out of the comfort of your home for the items that you are looking for.

Sometimes the product you are looking for is not available and you might have to go to another outlet to get it.

Your shopping experience is limited by retail hours and sometimes you just do not have the luxury of time to go to the store after a long day at work or your weekends are just too packed with activities.

Shopping at an Online Store

Pros

You have accesses to thousands at just a click of a mouse. This convenience is unparalleled and opens up a world of possibilities.

You can shop anytime and anywhere. All you need is a mobile phone/laptop and internet access and you are good to start your online shopping spree.

You can join a bulk purchase group to buy items at hugely discounted prices.

Cons

Delivery times can be really unpredictable. You’ll never really know when your item will be delivered.

Some items might get damaged or even go missing during the shipping process. Now that would really suck.

Messy return policies. Every online store has a different return policy. Some might even take weeks to reply to your requests.

Conclusion

From a personal standpoint, both types of shopping have their own advantages. If you are looking to purchase items such as toys, clothing, and equipment, it would be advisable to head down to a retail outlet so that you are able to try on or test the item. If you are looking to purchase books and office supplies, then it might be worthwhile to get them online as they are unlikely to be damaged and you might be able to get them on a bulk discount online.

There is no right or wrong answer to this, but more of a personal preference. What is your preference? 🙂