Yahoo Finance 10 Best (and 10 Worst) Things To Buy Online
Most Americans shop online now. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, online shopping was pretty standard, but after the lockdown of 2020, internet commerce took off, and the trend continues into 2024.
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“The transformation of online shopping is not just about the evolution of technology but a reflection of consumer behavior and the ingenious strategies businesses employ to cater to these changes,” said Gustav Nicholson, an editor at Ampifire.
In-person shopping can be a smart way to ensure you’re getting what you pay for, negotiate better deals by haggling and avoid hefty shipping charges, but online shopping also has its perks. You can save money by shopping online, because it’s easy to compare prices at several retailers and read reviews to find the best deals. It just depends on what you’re buying.
Read on to find out 10 things you should buy online — and 10 things you still should buy in stores.
The Best Things To Buy Online
Some purchases are better made online, because you can get lower prices than at a brick-and-mortar retailer — and you can save yourself the time and hassle of getting to the store. Here are the 10 best things to buy online.
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Books
Amazon, before it started selling everything, started with selling one thing: books. And books are still some of the best online purchases you can make.
“They’re often cheaper online, plus you can easily find reviews and ratings to make informed decisions,” said Andrew Grella, the CEO and founder of Formen Makeup.
“Online marketplaces offer unbeatable prices and the ability to find rare editions. I’ve saved significantly on my personal library this way,” noted Nicholson of secondhand books in particular.
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Tech Gadgets
Gone are the days of Universal Electronics, Circuit City and other big warehouse electronic stores. Now, you can find the best priced electronics and tech gadgets online.
“Prices are often lower online, and you can compare different models regarding specs and pricing,” Grella explained.
“Online platforms often offer the best deals and exclusive online-only models,” added Nicholson. “My first drone purchase online saved me hundreds due to a flash sale that wasn’t available in stores.”
Subscription Services
From software to snack boxes, subscriptions are best managed online, where you can easily customize or cancel services, according to Nicholson.
“My journey with a coffee subscription service perfectly demonstrates the convenience and customization online platforms offer,” Nicholson said.
“It’s convenient to arrange subscriptions online for streaming services, gaming platforms and digital newspapers, where the latest content is instantly available,” echoed Grella.
Software
Looking for a new program for your computer or app for your mobile device? It’s all online and yours to purchase with the touch of a button.
Grella noted that “buying software online is an immediate process — you don’t need a physical copy and can download it directly after your purchase.”
“Direct downloads eliminate shipping waits and often come with online-only discounts,” Nicholson agreed. “Purchasing marketing tools for my team online has always been more efficient.”
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Educational Materials
Learning a new skill or getting your degree from home has never been easier, especially when you can buy everything for class online.
“The digital nature of these products means instant delivery and often lower prices compared to physical counterparts,” said Nicholson. “I’ve expanded my marketing knowledge immensely through these resources.”
“You can often access these instantly with educational platforms, and they’re typically cheaper,” said Grella.
Health and Wellness Products
With confidentiality and frequent online discounts, it’s a convenient choice to purchase your health and wellness products via the web, in Nicholson’s opinion.
“My personal experience with purchasing supplements online has always been favorable, with better deals and more product information,” Nicholson explained.
Grella added that once a consumer is comfortable and confident in a brand to use, they can often find good deals online.
Travel Deals
Take to the skies, seas or just the road when you hop onto the information superhighway and get the best deals around on your next vacation.
“Airlines and hotels often reserve their best offers for their online platforms,” Nicholson said. “My travel plans, both personal and professional, have benefited from exclusive online deals.”
“Online platforms offer competitive rates with the ability to compare a wide range of options,” Grella said.
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Financial Services
You can bank, buy insurance and move your stock options around — all from the convenience of your desktop or mobile phone.
“Online brokerage platforms often offer lower fees and more flexibility,” shared Grella.
“The competitive online marketplace allows for better comparison and often cheaper rates” when it comes to insurance and financial services, Nicholson said. “Managing my business insurance online has not only saved me money but also time.”
Craft Supplies
Do you have a niche hobby and cannot go to your local craft store to purchase what you need? Go online and get everything you need.
“Specialty items are not only cheaper but come with a wider selection online,” said Nicholson. “Finding rare vintage camera lenses for my collection has been a breeze.”
Event Tickets
From movie tickets to music festival passes, the best way to ensure you are getting a quality seat for the show is to buy online.
“Purchasing event tickets online allows immediate access and can save you a trip to the ticket booth,” explained Grella.
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The Worst Things To Buy Online
Not everything is cheaper online — especially when you factor in shipping costs. Plus, it’s smarter to see some items, try them on or test them out before buying them. Here are the 10 worst things to buy online.
Cars
It’s a good idea to research cars and car prices online before buying one. But actually purchasing a vehicle online without checking it out in person is a bad idea.
“There are factors related to the condition and feel of the vehicle that you can’t assess online,” Grella said when it comes to buying a car in the digital space.
“Test driving and inspecting a vehicle in person is irreplaceable,” Nicholson concluded. “A colleague’s online car purchase ended up with costly undisclosed issues.”
Clothing
Buying any sort of clothing online can be risky, because it might not fit. That’s why it’s important to buy from online retailers that offer free returns.
Grella pointed out that “sizes vary across different brands, and the actual color and fabric feel could be different from the picture.”
Nicholson thinks this applies even more so to custom-tailored clothing.
“Without precise measurements and fittings, results can be disappointing,” explained Nicholson. “My own experience with an online bespoke suit was less than stellar, with fit issues that were hard to resolve from a distance.”
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Large Appliances and Furniture
Although there are great discounts for appliances online and delivery often is free, the same discounts and delivery offers usually apply in stores. Aside from saving some time driving to a store, there’s no advantage to buying an appliance online.
“Shipping costs can be exorbitant, and colors or sizes may not be as expected,” Nicholson recalled, explaining that “my attempt at buying a desk online resulted in a piece that clashed horribly with my office décor.”
“Pictures can be misleading, and installation can be a hassle. It’s often better to visit a store to see these products in person,” added Grella.
Groceries
Shopping online for groceries is growing in popularity, but you might not want to follow this trend, especially when it comes to things like fresh produce and dairy that require specific storage temperatures.
“It’s harder to assess quality online, and shipping can affect freshness,” Grella explained.
“Quality control can vary greatly, and you miss the chance to select the freshest options yourself,” Nicholson described. “Personal attempts at online grocery shopping have sometimes resulted in receiving less than fresh produce.”
Jewelry
You’re better off buying fine jewelry, especially diamonds, from a jeweler. You might see lower prices at online retailers, but you need to inspect and try on the piece before buying it.
“The inability to verify quality firsthand makes this a risky online purchase. I’ve heard numerous stories of disappointments in the actual quality versus the online portrayal,” Nicholson shared.
Plus, with any high end item, there is always a chance you might receive a counterfeit, said Grella.
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Prescription Drugs
It might sound like a convenient way to keep up with your medication refills, but go to a real pharmacy next time you need to fill a prescription, not the internet.
“Regulatory standards might not always be met, especially from unreputable online sellers,” Grella cautioned.
“The risk of counterfeit or incorrect dosages is too high,” Nicholson said, highlighting the potential of purchasing medication from unverified sources. “Sticking to reputable, verified pharmacies is a lesson I’ve learned from industry horror stories.”
Animals
Pets are great, but you never want to purchase one — no matter what kind of animal, no matter what size — through a website. In person is the only way to go, preferably through a shelter, rescue or animal center.
“Beyond ethical concerns, it’s crucial to meet a pet first to ensure compatibility,” Nicholson explained. “A friend’s online puppy purchase turned into a challenging situation when the pet’s temperament was not as described.”
Antiques
You might find an older item online for a fraction of the cost of what it might be at the local antique shop, but it’s worth it in the end to make the trip to the store in real life.
“Without physical verification, the risk of fraud is high,” Nicholson said of any high-value antique purchase. “An acquaintance once bought what was claimed to be a rare 18th-century vase online, only to discover it was a replica.”
“And never underestimate the power of checking customer reviews and ratings — when used correctly, the internet can be a wealth of information,” Grella shared, which is a tip that can be applied to both online and offline shopping.
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Mattresses
You or someone in your house will sleep on a mattress you purchase every night. Do you really want to trust the quality, texture and firmness of one that arrives in a box?
“Comfort is highly subjective and best assessed in person,” Nicholson pointed out. “Despite the convenience, I learned the hard way that what feels like a cloud online can feel like a rock in reality.”
Anything With High Shipping Fees
The true downside to online shopping is that no matter what, you’re going to pay for a shipping fee, even if you have to add an extra item or two to your cart to get “free shipping.”
“If it’s cheaper to buy a product in-store after accounting for shipping, avoid it,” advised Grella. “Remember, it’s key to educate yourself about online retailers, including their return policies and shipping fees, before making any purchases.
Cameron Huddleston contributed to the reporting for this article.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 10 Best (and 10 Worst) Things To Buy Online
