how Much do you Shop Online?

[Fern]

OK, i decided the boards need fresh threads...too many recycled ones still floating around!

So how much do you shop online? What kinds of things have you purchased online?

Today i bought my favorite sneakers, hard to find in black, online. (Reebok Princess). Been wearing them for years for general walking; they're very light and comfortable on my feet.

Once i even bought a queen sized mattress online but ended up aborting that purchase after UPS claims to have "lost" it. I got a refund and ended up buying more locally from Sleepy's.

also have bought everything from toiletries to a step ladder.

[JanH]

This Christmas was the first year I've bought a few gifts online. I've been thinking of buying some books I can't find online. I'm just getting my toes wet. It's a new area for me.
Actually, I do think my Dad helped me find a gift I couldn't find a couple years ago. That might have been my first time. I think it is handy though and I might do more.

[jodi]

I buy a lot at Christmas time on-line - probably 30-40% of my shopping. I don't do much the rest of the year, unless it's something really specific that I could find only at one place or E-Bay.
When I need something, I check out garage sales and thrift stores, then E-bay, and only if I still cannot find it will I purchase new, sometimes on-line but mostly in a local store.

[Coleroo]

Im 24 and grew up with a computer so it's all second nature to me. I buy online just as often as i buy offline.. its just like an extention of ways to purchase. I like purchasing online more often than offline since I can froogle the prices, find the best deals, use fatwallet, get discounts, etc. The internet is great for *unusual* purchases you cant find anywhere else also (i.e. the soapsgonebuy website for making homemade laundry detergent). Ebay is great for inexpensive brand name clothes. Books are best bought online too because you can find them cheaper.

There are some things i dont buy though are perishables (groceries), things too heavy that the shipping is outrageous, things i can get a mile from home for the same price minus shipping, anything from walmart.com (walmart is 1 mile from me), etc.

[disneysteve]

Not a great deal. Occasional ebay purchase from time to time. DVDs from Amazon, usually used. Also, my staff gets me an Amazon GC every year for the holidays. Computer equipment and camera stuff always ordered online. Does booking travel count? I always order airline tickets, rent cars and book hotels online. We don't go to the movies very often, but when we do, we order tickets online. I also pay most bills online.

[Missyla]

I do some of my shopping online but before I shop I open my Ebates tracker so that I can get paid for shopping online. I would not want to miss out on my quarterly checks... Last year my quarterly checks were close to $100.00. I look at it this way that's my shipping charges being redirected to me...

Let's see I shop at book sites, Christian sites, pet sites where ever ebates has a contract with a store w/a secured website and believe me its many.

Like Fern I also brought my favorite sneakers online "New Balance 465" this number is no longer available in stores. I also tried this website called Zappos.com b/c I heard they have a really large selection of shoes but guess what they were over priced in my eyes.....ARGH!

[JoyJoy]

I shop a lot online because I like to compare prices! I have found some really really good deals online at Overstock.com. I buy my books at Alibris and Amazon at fantastic prices! I just bought some slippers for my husband and myself at Nextten and was very pleased. There are coupons whereby I save lots of money at CouponMountain.com and Icetab.com.

Oh yes...I save a lot of money by buying my ink cartridges at Shop4Tech and 123Ink.com. These cartridges last a long, long, long time!

Great thread Fern!!! Thanks!

[Sindel]

interesting thread.

I've bought DVDs online, but these are stuff that I can't get in stores (foreign imports).

And I regularly buy creams and lotions online too, but again, these are stuff that I can't get anywhere else.

[thebetterlifenow]

I only buy books, computer stuff and specialty parts online. The rest, I like to do face to face at a store.

[rusty@saving]

never, i think it would be too easy to spend $ online. i like the hassle of getting off my rear and going to spend it, and having the time to think about it in the meantime.

[Bookie]

I frequently buy CDs, DVDs and books online for the selection, especially with obscure and OOP titles.

I have bought electronics online in order to find the best price.

Not much else, but I don't shop all that much anyway.

[BCHGRL]

I once had a real affinity for buying on-line. However, I learned that with on-line purchases, sometimes what you see on a screen is not what you get in reality. Your screen has filters so pictures on the screen can actually be a different color than what is shipped. Also, even if you have measurements, sometimes it is difficult to imagine how the sizing will fit what you need. I bought end tables from llbean that are nice but look tiny in comparison to our huge couch. Now I do more shopping around on-line, but I often find it in a store too just to check dimensions and feel the texture. There is something to be said for looking and touching the real item before paying for it, especially if you have to pay for shipping or shipping to return the item (which is the case with most on-line retailers).

Here are some things that I've purchased on-line: clothes, shoes, furniture, electronics, home decor, silk flowers for wedding, garter, baskets and pillow for wedding, wedding invitations, wedding napkins, party supplies, linens, gift certificates, and numerous gifts.

[JoyJoy]

If you're buying items online and want discounts, use your search engine (Google, AOL)) and type the name of the store and put a plus sign (+) at the end of the store name (i.e. 1-800-Flowers+ or LaneBryant+) and you will find coupons to use at checkout. CNN's Money Shopper, Gerri Willis, says to never pay full price for the item as there are too many stores online that will give you discounts on merchandise. She is right! I just ran across a 25% off a $75.00 order at LaneBryant this morning. I love their shoes and loungewear!

I agree there is something about getting out and being able to look, feel and smell the merchandise that you want to purchase. I have bought a few things that I wasn't exactly pleased with, but all in all I would rate my satisfaction at an 8 out of 10 when it comes to online shopping.

[cschin4]

I am a big fan of Amazon. They have great prices and I have been very satisfied over the years with all my purchases. I usually buy new stuff as long as I can get free shipping. I have purchased small vacuum cleaners, breadmaker, pots, CD's, videos, video games, books, assorted cookware and other things of Amazon. I don't like to order clothes online because I like to try things on before buying. I also am now buying off the Amazon sellers and have purchased a guitar instruction book and other assorted books for very good prices. Once in awhile I buy off ebay but usually only when I am looking for something specifically that I can't find anywhere else.

[markio26]

thanks for posting this... we need to do a topic on off line deals too..... lol....
i shop online alot....staples, amzn, chadwick, blair, yves-rocher, wmt, etc... i get better deals sometimes, than at a b&m... sometimes i order online and get in store pickup such as jcp, and s.....

[shelbylovesmelby]

Hmmm.... very very rare that I buy online. I'm the sort who doesn't like to pay for shipping & pay for shipping again to return the items if I don't like it + the time standingn in line @ the USPS, I need to be able to touch stuff to decided.

Plus since clothes & shoes ect don't always follow the same standard sizing charts you never know if something is going to fit right or be more sheer than you thought it would be & so forth.

[Ima saver]

I have only ever bought a few things online, mostly halloween costumes! I know very little about computers.

[kv968]

I usually do a good deal of my online shopping at ebay or Ticketmaster. Mostly it's just used books or cd's at ebay although Ticketmaster has gotten their fair share of "convenience fees" out of me over the years The biggest (and most expensive, $3500) thing I've ever bought online was my drumset which I bought off of ebay from someone in Washington State. It was a little nerve-racking tracking it's progress across the US but everything turned out fine.

[threebeansalad]

I try to limit shopping--period. BUT, I probably do ~50% of my planned purchases online. I feel like I can find better deals and have more choices. An example is a purse I recently bought online. I had been wanting a new purse for a few months, but the purses in my local department stores either weren't appealing to me or cost >$40. I looked on eBay, and found 100's of choices. I ended up being the sole bidder on a purse for $3.99, after shipping and handling, I had the bag for under $9. Unless the store was havin an amazing sale, there's no way I could have bought this bag i n a store for < $30. Granted, the bag was used, but you couldn't tell. Besides, I like like buying second hand stuff. It feels good to know you're extending the life of an item.

Online is also great when you need a very specific item, particularly if you live a locale with limited shopping options. I attended a wedding and wanted a pashmina to wear in church that would match my dress. My department store <i>may</i> have had a suitable one, but I was able to get one off eBay without wasting time at the store, and most likely, at a lower price.

[PRICEPLUS]

There are certain things I buy online such as tea, books, Dvd's and such when I do but them. I like to buy from stores on-line that have actual locations where you can return merchandise. Eeastern Mountain Sports is such a store.