(content by Darren W)
Ten years ago, ordering something online was seen as risky. Would it ever arrive? Was it safe to put your credit card information on a website? Would they track you? How could you be sure it’d be in one piece? Was it trustworthy?
You, or probably your mother or grandmother, could think of a million reasons why it’d be better to shop at the local store instead of heading online.
Sometimes though, online shopping can be limited. You might find the perfect item to only find it doesn’t ship to Canada. Their items stay south in the United States. To make a purchase, US address for Canadians is needed.
Is it even possible for a Canadian to have a US address?
It is possible and can open up a whole new world of online shopping for you. There are plenty more benefits to consider when shopping in the virtual world.
Wish List and Gifts
Remember when you were a child, and you would write down a huge Christmas list to either give to your parents or Santa? Now, you can do the same except instead of writing it down, and you can save it.
It’s more than just saving wish lists, but you can also save baby and wedding registry items. Send them to friends and family with a click of a button.
Compare Prices Quicker
How many times have you driven around looking for the best price for gas? You always want to find the best deal, but it can be hard to remember which places have the top bargains.
With online shopping, you can instantly compare prices. Are you trying to buy a new TV? Just check out all the stores and easily switch back and forth between tabs.
Online stores will often list the same product from multiple vendors, so you know you’re getting the best deal from the start.
Better Prices
Many stores will offer you discounts or other promotional deals if you choose to shop online, so why not try to take advantage?
Nearly every store is trying to build up an online presence, and having a successful eCommerce store is the way to do so.
Plus, if you are shopping for something in the US, you can compare it to prices here in Canada. Then if you’ve got a US address for Canadians, you can easily place it there and avoid paying hefty custom fines.
Plus, you’re much more likely to find online coupons for an item that you want quicker than you would with a pair of scissors and the Sunday newspaper.
Convenience
Shouldn’t this be number one? After all, a huge part of the online shopping world is just how convenient it is. Over half of online purchases are made via a smartphone.
It’s never been easier to think of something, look it up, and buy it instantly. There’s no need to go wait in lines, get caught with a chatty cashier, or look for a parking spot.
With online shopping, there are no waits, and everything can be done at your speed.
Fewer Distractions
Sometimes when you are in stores, you can get distracted by all the other items around us. You come in looking for one item, and after 10 minutes, you forget why we’re really there.
Or worse, you go in to purchase one item, and you end up buying a few things you don’t need. That could be from your own absentmindedness or due to the shopkeeper’s pressure.
Either way, in online stores, you’re more likely to be focused on what you need and get in and out quicker.
