Pros and Cons
After trying to purchase our items, in vein at times, we have compiled a list of what we perceived to be some of the benefits and pitfalls of purchasing these sort of products online.
Online Benefits:
- Online sites are quick and convenient--there is no need to rush in your lunch break to compare competitors' prices.
- Online sites feature extensive product listings, with some sites having up to 15,000 items.
- Online sites sport neat features like, "build your own PC", competitions, prizes, and "store assistants", that all add to the fun factor.
- The quality of the information provided on the goods is high, saving you from hunting around and reading pamphlets.
- It's possible to view many products in one sitting and to take advantage of online price comparisons available from some sites.
- Prices! They are often much less than the average face-to-face store.
- Surfers can avoid dodgy salespeople shoving hardware down their throats.
- Items that are often difficult to find offline can usually be found quite easily online.
- It's easy to organise a regular account that can be updated and viewed regularly.
- Variety of payment methods.
Online Pitfalls
- Many customers dive straight for the search engine rather than browse. This is not often the best idea because many search engines are not as sophisticated as they could be.
- Customers may not buy the final product online, instead using the online services as a research tool only.
- Delivery from online vendors can sometimes be inadequate. For example, some take no responsibility once the goods leave the warehouse.
- There is no face-to-face contact, often people are comforted by actually "talking" with a real person.
- Some goods on special may be damaged or secondhand--who knows?
- Often sites do not let you know when you will receive the goods. It was discovered that many are on back order for what may turn into weeks.
- Information provided on sites tends to be geared for someone who knows what they're looking for.
- Often the purchasing procedure lets sites down and breeds a lack of trust through the need for copious registration details at the last minute...customers just wanted to buy and go!
- Online, there is no facility for testing the product or just trying it out (eg, quality, texture, sound).
- Paying for express delivery on goods worth a significant amount seems ludicrous, not only that, you often have to wait more than a day (depending on where you live in Australia).
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