Shopping For Electronics Online Can Save Time and Money

Added: 12/14/2005

Some people don't like the idea of online shopping, preferring the usual way of purchasing in person at a department store. Many people just won't pay for what they can't touch. Many more people however, are content to shop from the comfort of their homes. Shopping for electronics online is one example. Internet catalogs are much more in-depth that the merchandise found in a department store, and often the saving gained from purchasing on-line are substantial.

We live in the age of high-tech wizardry coupled with a severe shortage of spare time. The former offers the economy of forces, time and money providing online services, namely shopping for electronics online. In a market saturated by retail giants, it's easy to imagine that such big-box stores as Best Buy or Wal-Mart can be the best places to buy consumer electronics. But that is not always the case.

According to more than 18,700 readers of Consumer Reports magazine (spring issue), the electronics online market does a better job in every aspect than retail stores in satisfying customers when it concerns the purchases of televisions, digital cameras, DVD/DVR players, camcorders, handheld computers, and audio equipment. This result was reached through better service as the rankings were based on price, product selection, product quality, service, information quality and return policies. The given ranking provided the buyers with the necessary classified information and facilitated the choice of an appropriate product.

As a rule, purchasing electronics online offers a consumer access to the top electronics online providers such as Crutchfield.com, Amazon.com, Costco.com, J&R.com, and Buy.com. And statistics research reveals that retailers that sell both on the Web and in-store, such as Costco, Circuit City and Best Buy, succeeded in getting higher marks on the Internet than at their walk-in locations.

Nevertheless, some retail outlets have apt prices but poor rates of service and selection. If you're going to shop and purchase online, try to do research beforehand. Internet retailers offer a great amount of products without mentioning brand names - you probably have noticed that many already have its next model out, possibly with more features at a slightly higher or even a lower price.

If you like to talk to a real person, you'll probably be out of luck at places like Target or Wal-Mart, where sales-staffing is minimal. Places like Tweeter, Ritz Camera, Radio Shack and Ultimate Electronics were rated among the best in customer service.

Narrow your prospective merchandise down to a few models and be ready to indicate the model names and numbers and the features you'd like to have. Keep in mind that online retailers don't always have lower prices, and consumers should take into account shipping and handling costs of buying or returning an item while some brick-and-mortar retailers, such as Costco, have very liberal return policies.
And above all, visit a few stores to touch and examine the desired products, but it's better to save time by calling ahead to make sure they have the brands and models you seek. While on the phone, don't forget to ask for the price, too.

If you want something straightway, you'll do better to buy a desired product from a nearby store, because with electronics online retailers, you'll have to wait days or pay more for rush delivery.

The best time to get a good deal on digital cameras and camcorders is in the spring, and camcorders can be also on sale in winter. DVD players can be bought at lower prices in April and July, and lower prices on TV sets are usually proposed in July, November, and January.

Common sense and a little patience will make online shopping for electronics a snap and can save you both time and money.

Rate this article:

Bad

Good

Article comments:

No comments for this article yet. Post your comment now!

Return to top of the page