Shop online OR buy from the market - which is best?

The internet has brought a change in almost every aspect of life. Business, marketing, research, education are some of the everyday corners of human life that rely heavily on internet service. It has brought a revolutionary change in our method of shopping by giving access to products that may not be available in the nearby markets. Physical shopping, preferred by many, is the traditional way of buying and selling. Although not so new, online shopping is a steadily growing method of shopping worldwide. The best example of online shopping growth is visible by the rise of Amazon; according to statista.com, Amazon earned over 20 billion dollars in the year 2020, which is more than the GDP of some countries. The growth of online shopping is evident by the numbers.

Compare prices

The big difference between going out to the physical market and browsing the internet is the flexibility to compare prices. A physical market with several shops will offer similar products with negligible differences in prices. In contrast, the price could be significantly low in an online shop due to many sales. Online shopping gives the flexibility to quickly visit several virtual places and decide which site offers a better deal.

Choose better from similar products.

There is heavy competition due to the availability of slightly different quality products. Online forums offer user reviews that help decide which suitable product to buy and from where. Virtual store owners understand the importance of providing user reviews for potential customers so that everyone can view a review section. Often the reviews are honest, but they can be paid reviews (a disadvantage).

No need to carry

Shop as much as you like while shopping online but be careful when shopping physically. The stuff you have bought might be heavy, and therefore you will have a limited capacity to carry. It means going to the market again to buy more or other necessary stuff left for later due to carrying limitations.

Low overhead cost

An online shop stores its goods in a warehouse where the storage cost is lower than displaying it in a shop at a physical marketplace. This storage ability gives an added advantage to the online shop to offer goods at a lower price.

Convenience

Overall, people have mixed views on shopping online or at a market. There is no doubt about the convenience brought by online shopping. It is easy, comfortable, and hassle-free apart from the delay in delivery and sometimes getting the wrong product. The physical camera shops in Karachi are an excellent example of one-on-one service, where customers are given guidance according to their needs.

Quick shopping

In online shopping, there is no hassle to travel to the market, face the traffic, and rush at the market. Shopping online from the comfort of your home is being the new normal. However, patience is the catch here. You may have to wait for several days before the product reaches you. Unless you need the product in an emergency, online shopping is preferable. This limitation doesn't apply to groceries. Online stores dealing in perishables deliver goods quickly, often less than 60 minutes.

Out of stock

How would you feel when you reach the market for a particular product and it is out of stock? Are you disappointed? That is yet another drawback of physical shopping, it happens seldom, but it does happen. Online shopping helps avoid this problem by putting up out-of-stock signs on unavailable items. This way, it is a matter of 60 seconds to know whether to buy it from this store or browse another one.

Socialize

In most societies, shopping is a way of socializing. Groups of families or friends shopping together is a common feature of physical markets. Enjoying snacks after shopping is why most shopping malls have food courts and food vendors in and around the mall. Physical shopping relieves stress and is a happy time (especially for females) for people. Sadly, with all the online shopping method's convenience, socializing is not among them.

Crowd

One of the most significant benefits of online shopping is the absence of crowds, noise, and getting in line to pay at the POS. It saves both time and energy by shopping online. For example, if you are looking to buy DSLR camera online, several reputable virtual stores offer services in this regard.

Scam

Online shopping is not all flowers and roses. Some difficulties are involved in online shopping, including getting scammed by the seller. The best practice is to shop from reputable stores having an online presence on multiple platforms.

Addiction

The hassle involved in doing physical shopping is non-existent in online shopping, leading to addiction. Shopping when in need and for necessities should be practiced to avoid being an online shopaholic.