Shop till you drop . . . without ever leaving home!

If the thought of shopping for all of your holiday gifts while you are in your comfy pyjamas with a steaming mug of cocoa by your side is appealing to you, then online shopping may be the way to go.

Did you know that 78 % of Canadians make purchases online?¹ If you are not yet one of them, here are some things to consider.

Benefits of shopping online
You know your Aunt Jennifer would love a ceramic Dalmatian statue to add to her Dalmatian collection, but the thought of pounding the pavement looking for one is just not putting you in the holiday spirit. This is where online shopping can be a big help. By simply typing what you are looking for into a search engine, such as Google, you can find just about anything. And you don’t have to worry if the store you find is in Kelowna, BC and you live in Charlottetown, PEI because most retailers have e-stores where you can purchase their wares and have them shipped directly to your door. (Be sure to allow enough time for shipping if you have a holiday deadline.)

If bargain hunting is your idea of a competitive sport, you may want to check out one of the many auction sites such as eBay. These sites allow you to bid on items so you can control exactly how much you spend. Auction sites are also ideal for finding obscure collectibles or grabbing great deals on designer items.

What to watch out for when shopping on the Internet
Shopping online is not without its potential drawbacks, including fraudulent sellers, hidden shipping costs and expensive return policies. The Better Business Bureau offers these helpful quick tips for getting what you want while keeping your information safe online:

• Don’t rely on a professional-looking website as proof of a company’s quality or good reputation.
• Find out where a company is physically located to help avoid overseas or offshore scams.
• Never give out your bank account number, credit card number, or personal information unless you are certain a company is legitimate.
• Start with a small, inexpensive purchase to see how the company handles your order.

Ready to shop online? Grab your bunny slippers, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and get all of your holiday shopping done from the warmth and comfort of your own home.

Sources:

1. http://nl.bbb.org/article/avoiding-online-shopping-pitfalls-7788
2. http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Many-Advantages-And-Benefits-Of-Online-Shopping&id=337891
3. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1194310/the_convenience_and_benefits_of_shopping.html

References:
1. http://www.marketingvox.com/online_too_canadians_mirror_americans-022904