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The Most Wonderful Time of the Year?
Tick, tick, tick…Do you hear that? If you do, you are one of the many people who have yet to complete their holiday shopping with just a few scant days left to go.
The National Retail Federation estimates that consumers will spend approximately $198 billion this holiday season. Many people are out driving around in circles looking for that parking spot, suffering from heat exhaustion from wearing their winter coats inside the toasty malls, or, like me, getting an ulcer from the stress of fighting for products and waiting in endless lines. Then, there is that new breed of shopper (no not the one that got their shopping done before Thanksgiving), but the one going online to find their holiday needs.
Of that estimated $198 billion, the National Retail Federation expects that 6% of that business will come from online sales. While the fore mentioned thoughts may justify shopping online, not everyone is sold on it.
In a recent survey conducted by Pew Internet and American Life Project, people listed their reasons for why they are or are not shopping online. The biggest reason why people said they refuse to shop online is because of the shipping charges. 51% of the people surveyed cited that as their biggest complaint. People often overlook these charges. Be careful of the "savings" that you may find online, because you may give it back, and then some, with shipping charges. If you are in a bind, most web retailers offer next day services, for a price. This year many web retailers are listing their "last day to ship for Christmas" to guarantee arrival by December 25.
The next biggest complaint was 44% of the people surveyed said that they didn't like the fact that they can't see/touch the items. Sites like amazon.com and 800.com include customer ratings along with their products listings. There are other online sites like epinions.com and askme.com that allow people to post their opinions about certain products.
The next biggest reason, (32%), for not shopping online was people felt that they can't return products easily. While this has long been a problem, and sometimes a costly one if you have to pay the shipping back to the company, there have been changes here, too. Many online retailers that have brick-and-mortar locations, such as gap.com and bestbuy.com that will accept returns of items purchased online.
While online shopping has become more prevalent in our society, it's truly not for everyone. There have been many reports in the news of online sites crashing or being shutdown for technical repairs. This is the equivalent of the stress that goes with driving to the mall.
The Better Business Bureau has set up a code of conduct for online business practices, and now allows you to see which online companies get their "Reliability Seal". The Better Business Bureau realizes the boom in online companies and continues to offer consumers help and advice in this area. Their web site for online companies is www.bbbonline.org. Their original site for all other concerns is www.bbb.org.
Now, some amusing sites to look into for next year or for birthday gifts. There are now sites that let you to set up a wish list for multiple merchants. If you will, one stop gift ideas for those who are shopping for your wants and needs. Take a look at wishminder.com, or makemywish.com. Once you register there, you can create your personal wish list. Sites such as amazon.com and etoys.com allow you to e-mail your wish list to others from products from their web sites. Of course, let's not forget about that old stand-by: the gift certificate. Sometimes this makes the best gift, allowing the recipient to choose exactly what item they want to buy. Now you can go to giftcertificates.com and buy gift certificates for more than 500 online and brick-and-mortar stores, right at your fingertips.
I am not here to scold those who have left their shopping to the last minute. Nor am I here to sing the praises or debate about online shopping. To each their own. What may work for you may not work for me. Just remember that this time of year is about giving, not receiving and truly it is the thought that counts. So, from the Butenhoff family, and our partners and staff here at Liss Financial Services, we wish you and your family the happiest of holidays and a safe and prosperous New Year.
(Garrett Butenhoff is a Financial Consultant with J. E. Liss and Company, Inc.
in Milwaukee. The views are his, and not necessarily those of Liss
Financial Services or the Job Connection/Hiring
Network.)