The digital age, or the age of the Internet, has made shopping an extremely convenient and pleasurable task. Most retail industries have gone online, giving consumers the choice to shop anywhere, anytime and it has given them a boost in profits unforeseen in decades. Convenience, the ability not to physically see how much money one is actually paying or spending and the strategy of packaging goods as must-haves have all contributed to a surge of commercialism. Not that this is a bad thing. As economies grow and employment incomes thrive, studies show that the average consumer is still very much in debt. In fact, in more debt compared to the average consumer a decade ago. And yet we hear claims of people having too much stuff these days, leading to a new way of thinking called minimalism.
The thing is, shopping shouldn’t be a guiltless pleasure. It is, technically, a way for us to get our basic needs. Money is a quantifiable way to attach value to things, and shopping a method to acquire these. Shopping is a necessary way for the average consumer to get by day to day.
What people need is to be smart about shopping. A very effective way is to actually focus on our needs, not wants and turn shopping online into advantage. How?
1. Sales and wholesale buys are easier to spot when shopping online. Utilize these to stock on things you constantly need and use throughout the year.
2. Coupons are a steal. Most online stores offer different types of it every week or month, depending on their marketing strategy. Most of them offer free shipping when you reach a certain amount, while other offer coupons for bundles. As a tip, never check out from an online store without searching online (via search engines) for a coupon offering.
3. Take advantage of feedback from real customers. What is so great about the Internet is the amount of information you have access too, this includes real customer feedback. Window shopping is easier so you might tend to put more into your cart without thinking, but do checkout customer reviews. This way, it can actually save you from the headache and disappointment of receiving an item you will eventually return and ask for a refund. Most customers are actually kind enough to point you in the right direction of where to shop, and what brands are better.
4. Subscribe to catalogues. Catalogue shopping isn’t a thing of the past. In fact, it is the best way to be able to carefully plan out your shopping and easily pay. For example, Ace Catalogues has a comprehensive list of shopping sites, or catalogues, ranging from clothing, furniture and home, electronics, appliances and gifts, that you can shop from in a weekly, monthly or as-needed basis. You just have to open a credit account to be able to shop, and it allows you choose payment methods as well. Whether you choose to load up your account, pay in installment or take advantage of the Buy Now Pay Later feature, it allows you to carefully plan, compare and budget your purchases across different shopping needs.
Shopping need not be a regrettable action done impulsively. Shopping using the tactics mentioned above allows you to literally score great deals (and even a steal!) when doing it online.
The thing is, shopping shouldn’t be a guiltless pleasure. It is, technically, a way for us to get our basic needs. Money is a quantifiable way to attach value to things, and shopping a method to acquire these. Shopping is a necessary way for the average consumer to get by day to day.
What people need is to be smart about shopping. A very effective way is to actually focus on our needs, not wants and turn shopping online into advantage. How?
1. Sales and wholesale buys are easier to spot when shopping online. Utilize these to stock on things you constantly need and use throughout the year.
2. Coupons are a steal. Most online stores offer different types of it every week or month, depending on their marketing strategy. Most of them offer free shipping when you reach a certain amount, while other offer coupons for bundles. As a tip, never check out from an online store without searching online (via search engines) for a coupon offering.
3. Take advantage of feedback from real customers. What is so great about the Internet is the amount of information you have access too, this includes real customer feedback. Window shopping is easier so you might tend to put more into your cart without thinking, but do checkout customer reviews. This way, it can actually save you from the headache and disappointment of receiving an item you will eventually return and ask for a refund. Most customers are actually kind enough to point you in the right direction of where to shop, and what brands are better.
4. Subscribe to catalogues. Catalogue shopping isn’t a thing of the past. In fact, it is the best way to be able to carefully plan out your shopping and easily pay. For example, Ace Catalogues has a comprehensive list of shopping sites, or catalogues, ranging from clothing, furniture and home, electronics, appliances and gifts, that you can shop from in a weekly, monthly or as-needed basis. You just have to open a credit account to be able to shop, and it allows you choose payment methods as well. Whether you choose to load up your account, pay in installment or take advantage of the Buy Now Pay Later feature, it allows you to carefully plan, compare and budget your purchases across different shopping needs.
Shopping need not be a regrettable action done impulsively. Shopping using the tactics mentioned above allows you to literally score great deals (and even a steal!) when doing it online.
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