5 Products You Should Always Buy Online
Online shopping provides you with convenience, a more extensive selection of products, an opportunity to compare products across multiple retailers, and best of all lower prices. While many of us buy the majority of our merchandise online, there are specific products experts advise you should always purchase online. This article will outline the 5 products you should always buy online.
1.) Electronics
- TVs: According to FatWallet, TVs can be 10% to 30% cheaper online than in-store! When you order a TV online, you do want to be mindful of shipping costs. If there is an option to ship to the store you may be able to avoid hefty shipping charges.
- Small Accessories: When you purchase an electronic device, such as a new smartphone, you often need some accessories to go with it. These accessories can be quite expensive at retail stores. That’s why it’s a good idea to bypass purchasing these items in-store and opt to buy them online from Amazon or eBay. Experts say buying add-ons online rather than in the store can save you up to 60%.
- Laptops: With a laptop, you have many options to choose from in regards to processor, RAM, hard drive, etc. Shopping for your computer online will allow you to customize it to fit your needs without sales pressure. In addition, many retailers offer deals for online laptop purchases that are not available in-store.
2.) Luggage
Purchasing luggage online will provide you with a much more extensive selection of products to choose from. Another significant benefit of purchasing luggage online is the price. Many experts advise that department stores often sell luggage for much less online than in their physical stores. Experts advise that the best time to buy luggage online is during Black Friday and President’s Day Sales when luggage is discounted up to 50%
3.) Baby Supplies
4.) Pet Supplies
- Amazon: You can receive up to a 15% discount on pet supplies via Amazon’s Subscribe & Save program.
- Chewy: Chewy is an online pet supply company that provides a discount of 5% to10% on subscription orders. You can also get 20% off your first order when you set up auto-ship. Chewy always offers free shipping on orders over $49 and has a flat-rate shipping cost of $4.95 on orders under $49.
- PetSmart: PetSmart offers 15% off online orders of $100 or more, or 10% off orders up to $99 if you choose the in-store pickup option. If you prefer to have your items delivered right to your door, you’ll get free shipping on orders over $49.
- PetCo: Petco provides shoppers with a 20% discount on their first order when repeat delivery is set up.
5.) Textbooks
You can save around 40% off the cover price by buying books online at retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Also, if you’re a college student, always check online for your required textbooks before heading to your college bookstore. Purchasing your required course books online could save you hundreds of dollars per year! Some excellent sites to buy textbooks from include eCampus, TextbookRush, Chegg, and Amazon.
Online Shopping Safety Tips
Whenever you shop online, it’s important to make sure you are making purchases on trusted websites. You may come across an outstanding deal, but the site that is selling the product raises a bunch of red flags. Here are some things to keep in mind while shopping online.
- Ensure the site you are purchasing from is encrypted before you enter your bank account or credit card information. You will be able to tell if a website is secure by locating the “https” at the start of the URL, or by locating the padlock icon before the URL. If the site has an address that starts with “http” it is not encrypted, and it will not protect your information from crooks.
- Be skeptical of product descriptions or website copy that includes poor grammar and multiple misspelled words.
- Never give out your social security number or digital banking login credentials when making an online purchase. This information is not required to complete a transaction.
- Remember, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Trust your gut, and don’t take any unnecessary risks.
