subject: The Big-box Alternative [print this page] For every retail customer there are many opinions about when and where to buy what you want and need. On the web you can find many of the same electronics options as you could in a well-known store. You may find that online shopping gives you better benefits all around.
Many people want to know right off how much they have to pay. In a 2006 survey, Consumer Reports asked nearly 20,000 readers where they found the best prices on electronic items. The majority liked the prices they found on the internet best. Online stores often have the same products as big name stores for a cheaper or similar price. This applies to items small and large as well as new on the market. Sites like buy.com get a lot of traffic for online shopping because they deliver quality results.
Customer service was another area that was evaluated in the survey. Any shopper knows that customer service is important. It's great when you can find a helpful salesperson, but too often the staff is inexperienced or too assertive. Online shoppers, however, have a different experience. Shopping on the web gives you access to lots of information on how a product performs and many other helpful ideas and advice. If you need more information, you can simply do a little more research on the web.
Regarding customer service, knowing the return policy of any electronic products is key. Of course you want your product to work well, but in case of problems it helps to know what your options are for fixing or replacing it. Online shopping has the inherent risk of shipping and handling. If you want to buy online, you have to know the return policy of the site. Although it's a well-liked site, buydig.com is an example of a site with a restricted return policy. Once the product packaging is opened, there are very few products that can be returned. Costco is an example of a company with a more lenient approach. At this store you can return most items at any time if their is a problem. Costco even allows you to return online products to a store warehouse.
Deciding where to buy is one of the important factors for any electronics purchase. For many people in-store shopping has yielded great results, and others want the new experience of buying online. Whatever you choose know that there are plenty of good options and good products available.
