As the Christmas season approaches, some people are preparing for an upgrade of their current devices such as a better smartphone, laptop, etc.
This period is crowded with numerous offers such as Black Friday offers, Christmas offers, and End of year/Clearance sales.
These discounts are provided everywhere. The only question is: Should you buy items online or visit stores in person to make a purchase?
Below we explore the viability of buying items online.
Where to buy items online in Uganda
Affordability of both internet and internet-enabled devices is a key factor that has contributed to the increasing interest in online shopping.
We have also seen numerous online shopping stores open up, namely: Jumia.ug, kilimall.co.ug, masikini.com, eshop.co.ug, kikuu.ug, shop.dondolo.co.ug, kaymu.co.ug, uggadgets.com, ugunlocked.com, etc.
Why should you buy items online?
Convenience
When you buy items online, it allows you to make a purchase anywhere at any time of your convenience unlike going to the store which might require a specific time when the store is open.
Ease of comparison
Shopping online allows you to compare different models or versions of a production by simply opening different tabs in your browser.
When buy items online, you access numerous sellers at the same time. You can then easily compare prices and choose the best offer.
No pressure
Shopping online gives you a free environment where you can look at a particular product for over an hour while contemplating to purchase it.
This isn’t possible with physical purchases; the moment you spend more than 10minutes at the same location a salesperson will come by to offer assistance.
Saves time
If you know what you want to buy, you can purchase it within a few minutes without having to stand in a queue and wait to be attended to.
Free transport offers
When you buy items online, you have access to numerous offers such as pre-order offers, free transport offers, etc. Such offers reduce on the customer’s bill.
Access to consumer reviews
Purchasing online gives you access to consumer reviews which might offer you different alternative opinions about a product. This gives you an insight into the product before you purchase it.
Subject to return policies
Online products are subject to return policies. A customer can choose to have the product returned if it doesn’t meet what they expected. Although these return policies can be strict at times.
More privacy
Some products are difficult to purchase in public. For such products, it’s always ideal to make an order online and have it delivered to your place in private.
See also: How ChapChap Merchant is digitizing SMEs, refashioning customer journey
Why you shouldn’t buy items online
While purchasing online has got its good sides, it’s not all good things. People who purchase online also go through other difficulties such as the following;
Delays in delivery
While the process of purchasing can be short, the delivery on the other hand is subject to many factors. In most cases, a one day delay is bound to occur because of a few reasons here and there.
No bargaining
With prices online, there’s no way a customer can bargain for a product.
The attached price is always the final price. An individual might be able to get a cheaper price depending on their bargaining power if they visit the shop physically.
No physical access to the product
There’s always no room for physical access to a product while you purchase it online. There’s no way to touch and verify a product’s quality when you purchase online.
Risky
Online stores and shops close operation every now and then. And it can be difficult to verify whether the online store isn’t a scam. Numerous scammers use online to con individuals.
There’s always two sides to everything. Choosing to purchase items physically and in person carries its own disadvantages as well. It’s always advisable to use both ways interchangeably, for items that require a physical touch, visit the store and make your judgment. If the item doesn’t, an online purchase might be ideal.
Related:
The ultimate guide to buying a flat screen TV that suits your room
Govt starts developing digital code to market Ugandan products
