Buying online?

Our nearest proper shops are 23 miles away, so that's a 40 + mile round trip, cost of petrol and parking (not cheap). Then often when I get there, say for M & S, or Clarks, they won't have my size in the style I want. So I could go out a second day in the other direction, same distance/cost involved.

OR I can order online. Quite often it is free delivery over a certain cost. If I need to return, can then choose to go to shop and return or send in post. Cost is less than driving each time. I am very careful who I order from. If unknown I check them out on several sites.

I have just ordered three pairs of sandals in the sale, Josef Seibel and Remote, from a lovely relatively local shoe shop. One pair needs returning, one changed, so in that case I will now drive to the shop.

Hate online clothes shopping, would far rather see the garment IRL so I can see the material and try several things on in the shops. As I am small, clothes shopping is a nightmare, I try on several outfits before I find a suitable one, it's such a faff ordering several things, only to have to re-pack and send most of them back! However, online shopping for other things is a God send, especially electrical and bulky items.

For the last few years I have shopped more and more online, partly due to mobility issues but also heavy shopping - no car - long walk to bus stop - terrible bus service- all equals its easier to have it delivered to my door!

We have been in lockdown for all these weeks so we have had to buy online. When (if) we get back to normal then I will be having a walk around the shops but right now I am sticking to online shopping.

My money so I will buy where I find best value. Most places I use online have stores as well so they are still getting the sales. Companies that fail (not including the Covid times) have often not addressed the online market properly. JL doesn't have everything in store and hasn't for ages.
I can't get to shops easily as look after toddler full time.
Now doing click and collect online because of Covid.
People do what suits them best.

Can't go out
Shops have been shut
I don't like crowds
I can't whiz round like I used to
I cannot get some things I want in the shops

Even online some well known firms have no stock of what I need.

Awaiting two orders - oh, and a grocery order
That makes three orders.

Does that answer your question?

jackthelad I do lots of research before I buy things - online or offline - and tend to buy online as I’d have to drive miles to see the items in person. Why would I limit my choice to the nearest places when what I want is available only (say) in Scotland.

I recently bought some radiator valves online that I’d have had to drive 50 miles to a city to see them first. Local plumbers can’t cary the full range of anything, and why should they.

Even big shops like John Lewis don’t have everything in the real high-street shops.

I want a particular kind of thing, I know what I like and I do some research. I’m happy to pay more if I really want something. Not everything on the internet is cheaper! I’ve just spent more on a particular marker pen for example than I would in a shop - but nowhere within 25miles sells them anyway.
Why would I buy what I don’t really want just because it’s in a shop I can travel to?

I don’t really understand your question to be honest. It all seems obvious to me.

Don’t like walking round the shops... my feet hurt after 5 minutes and then my arms from carrying heavy bags and don’t start me off on having to pay ridiculous prices to park! So much easier ordering online, trying on at home and then down to local spar to send back if not to my liking.

Cheaper for the retailers to sell online - no exorbitant rents to pay either.

Where I live even with a Blue Badge, parking is a major problem. Lots of areas have been pedestrianised, I cannot walk very far so for me it has been a lifeline.

I agree with Teetime. I have not been allowed out for a long time now and without online shopping I would have been bereft!

I have this basic principle - its my money, I earnt it and I'll do what I like with it.

That is why the website itself together with easy returns system matters to me when I choose an online retailer.