Online Shopping Essay

329 Words2 Pages
Online shopping is the process whereby consumers directly buy goods or services from a seller in real-time, without an intermediary service, over the Internet. If an intermediary service is present the process is called electronic commerce. An online shop, e-shop, e-store, internet shop, web shop, web store, online store, or virtual store evokes the physical analogy of buying products or services at a bricks-and-mortar retailer or in a shopping mall. The process is called Business-to-Consumer (B2C) online shopping. When a business buys from another business it is called Business-to-Business (B2B) online shopping. Both B2C and B2B online shopping are forms of e-commerce. ADVANTAGES OF SHOPPING ONLINE: You can do it 24/7 You can shop from the comfort of your own home. Wide variety of stores within a few clicks Comparison shopping is simplified Discount coupons are more readily available online Neither lines to wait in nor cranky people to deal with You don't have to drag kids all over the place You can use anyone's credit card You can listen to whatever music you like while shopping online Online shopping is PERFECT for buying gifts that are to be sent to distant friends or relatives One can shop in private Online grocery stores are great to use when on vacation DISADVANTAGES OF SHOPPING ONLINE: If you have a slow connection or if there are many shoppers at this site, shopping will take longer Online sites malfunction more frequently than B&M stores unexpectedly close You can't buy with cash or write a check (at most sites). Errors in billing are more common online Warranties mean nothing if the store has gone bankrupt You can't touch the item, let alone try it on Returns are more difficult online than in B&M stores Shipping and handling costs can be astronomical On-line shopping lacks the personal touch Dangerous for shopaholics
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