The Disadvantages Of E-Commerce
Because it can be so convenient, we don't spend much time thinking about the disadvantages of e-commerce. One very good reason for this is that these disadvantages by and large are not things we cannot surmount, and we learn to live with them. Sometimes however, the disadvantages of e-commerce can make shopping a little difficult.
In the days where brick and mortar retail businesses were where we did our shopping, we didn't have the convenience of ordering from the comfort of home, except of course for Sears Roebuck, Montgomery Ward, J.C. Penny catalogs, and a few other businesses we could purchase items from by mail order. We paid a small price for that convenience, that price being in shipping time and shipping costs. Still, unless one lived in a rural area, or in a very small town, one could get most of what one wanted by getting in the car and going shopping.
It has taken e-commerce a few years to get established. In fact some of the leading e-commerce businesses, like Amazon.com, looked for a few years like they might not make it. It took shoppers a few years to feel safe about typing in their credit card information, plus there wasn't always an alternative means of paying if one didn't have a credit card.
Today, though business over the Internet is booming and growing by leaps and bounds, there are a few disadvantages of e-commerce.
Touch And Feel - One of these disadvantages, which is also true of mail order, is we can't touch or feel what we're contemplating purchasing. This can especially be of concern when what we are buying carries a substantial price tag. An image on the computer screen can't always capture the true look of an article of clothing, and certainly not the feel. It isn't at all unusual to order an article of clothing and find the color just isn't what we were expecting. You can't try it on before ordering it either, which is another of the disadvantages of e-commerce.
Sizes - The sizes in clothing sometimes vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, and unless you can contact someone knowledgeable in Customer Service, you don't know whether large or medium is the right choice. This can be especially troublesome with boots and shoes, though if you know your size, most often you won't have to return the item.
Returns - Whether you shop locally, by mail order, or over the Internet, returns are always a hassle, especially in the latter two instances. Many e-commerce businesses will not charge shipping for returns, but others will. The convenience of on line shopping is at least partially offset by the cost of shipping and the time it takes to receive the product. In addition, some retailers will use the USPS, while others insist upon using UPS or FedEx, a possible problem when you go on vacation.
The Ease Of Using Plastic - Perhaps the greatest of the disadvantages of e-commerce has to do with the credit card. We normally think of this as being a convenience, but it is a convenience that we can pay dearly for if we aren't careful and don't manage our money well. Once can't really blame this on e-commerce, we have to accept the blame ourselves, but e-commerce has certainly made it easier to run up debt by usually requiring plastic to pay.
Of course, shopping at your local retailer can have its disadvantages as well. We have weather and opening and closing hours to worry about. Can't shop 24/7. But, unless we purchase a refrigerator, we don't have to worry about shipping time or possible shipping charges (usually no charge when local), and we can pay cash or check, the only way for those who prefer to pay as they go. If you want to experience both the best and worst of an e-commerce shopping experience, consider purchasing a saddle. You'll have a huge selection to choose from, and you can shop at any time of the day or night, but if it doesn't fit well on the horse when you get it, the nightmare begins.