Why Buy Online?

Selena DaySelena Day

Statistics• National Retail Federation by

BIGResearch estimated that shoppers would do a quarter of their holiday shopping online in 2006.

• Forrester Research predicted that holiday online sales in 2006 would reach $27 billion.

Statistics• Census Bureau

97% of retail sales in America are NOT online.

Only 22% of travel services and reservation arrangements were made online.

• Interactive Advertising Bureau and Price WaterhouseCoopers LLP Estimated that Internet advertising

was $4.2 billion in the third quarter – 30% increase from a year ago.

Statistics• Forrester Research – nearly one-third of

online consumers have purchased software online. One in five experienced some kind of problem. 53% received software that wasn’t what

they ordered 36% reported that the software didn’t work 14% realized that the software was pirated 12% never received the product

Online Shopping Sites

Advantages• Convenience!

People who live in remote or rural areas

Disabled people Wedding and Baby registries

• Easier to compare prices and find bargains

• Cost Shipping compared to the cost of gas

is much less

Advantages

• Easier to buy those “hard to find” items

• Saves Time• No sales tax• Custom Orders• Shop from

home or work

Disadvantages• Can’t touch, feel, and smell

• Can’t try on clothes or shoes

• Returns sometimes cost the consumer

• Requires a credit card or the set-up of an online payment account

• Requires access to a computer with internet access

Online Shopping Safety Tips

• Research vendors and personal sellers before buying anything

• Confirm online seller’s physical addresses and phone numbers

• Inquire about a company’s privacy policy

• Never give a seller financial information via email or pop-ups

Online Shopping Safety Tips• Read the product description

closely. Look for words such as… Refurbished Vintage Close-out

• Carefully check the costs of purchases, including shipping and handling. Maintain a paper trail.

Online Shopping Safety Tips• Consider using an online payment

services such as PayPal or your credit card. This protects your transaction under the Fair Credit Billing Act.

• Be certain that the Web Site is secure.

Look for the secure icon.

• Never send cash for a purchase under any circumstance.

Conclusion The internet provides another

means for shopping that has many advantages, with convenience being at the top of the list. It is important, though, to educate yourself on the hidden dangers associated with shopping online so that your shopping experience can be worth the effort. A new slogan for the online shopper to replace “Shop til you Drop” could be……

“Let your fingers do the

shopping”