Saving Gas by Shopping Online?
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Computer users are trying to beat the high gas prices by staying at home and doing their shopping online. With grocery stores starting to offer at home delivery, it is almost possible to have everything you need delivered right to your home.
A number of retailers - including Gap, Victoria’s Secret and J. C. Penney - are experiencing double-digit sales growth at their shopping Web sites, creating a surprising bright spot during an otherwise gloomy time for sales in brick-and-mortar stores.
One popular strategy for getting shoppers’ attention is offering free shipping, in contrast to many other businesses, like airlines, that are adding surcharges and other fees to offset their higher costs.
But is this really saving shoppers money? While a lot of stores are offering free shipping, those who do not are charging an arm and a leg to ship an item. Companies like TigerDirect.com have outrageous shipping prices; but their products come wrapped in bubble wrap and guarded with Styrofoam peanuts. Other companies sometimes charge more for shipping than the cost of the actual item.
My advice, if you are going to shop online use Google to find some free shipping coupons. Free shipping is the only way you will save money because as gas prices go up, the shipping companies are going to increase their rates to help offset the costs of the rising gas prices.
Justin
4 Comments
Ray
July 20th, 2008
at 3:44am
There’s no such of a thing as a “free” lunch!
Sean
July 20th, 2008
at 8:53pm
So instead of driving to the store, you have the UPS truck drive to you. Not sure how much this saves, but if one truck can service an area and keep 50-60 cars at home, this could be a good thing all around for more than just fuel consumption. Haven’t noticed the shipping costs for our company decreasing though.
Carl R.
July 28th, 2008
at 7:17am
I agree that some online stores which do not offer free shipping can over charge. Overall, including shipping, the price is usually the same or a little cheaper then the store. Plus you save time which is worth more then a few bucks (for me anyways). There are a few things more things to keep in mind when choosing the right online store. First, check their security. Do they have a certificate (https) or hacker proof? Then, read their policies…don’t just click “agree”. Some policies are not clear and very misleading. Then, look for a purpose! I found that many sites give you ways to shop that are very rewarding. Take a look at http://www.goodwillmall.com, you can shop while giving to charities (up to five). plus you get great rebates, access to brand name stores such as Land’s End, Office depot, etc… and you also accumulate points (for other purchases or donations). This is online shopping at its best!!!
gaby
September 2nd, 2008
at 8:38am
I do agree, shipping costs sometimes are more than the cost of the item. Sometimes this makes you want to buy the item at a nearby store unless you have a couple of discount or coupon codes for free shipping. Try visiting couponsaver.org before making online purchase, they have many categories for different coupon and discount codes that you can use.