{"id":13411,"date":"2013-11-14T11:03:46","date_gmt":"2013-11-14T16:03:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/canadianbudgetbinder.com\/?p=13411"},"modified":"2025-02-17T07:49:19","modified_gmt":"2025-02-17T07:49:19","slug":"christmas-shopping-online-or-in-store","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/digitalskyweb.co\/canadianbudgetbinder.com\/2013\/11\/14\/christmas-shopping-online-or-in-store\/","title":{"rendered":"Christmas Shopping: Online vs. In-Store?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span>Estimated reading time: <\/span>8<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rush to finish Christmas shopping begins with Christmas not too far away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Online vs. In-Store shopping for the Christmas holidays has been competitive for retailers as not all Canadian Shoppers shop the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, let’s explore the pros and cons of online shopping vs. in-store Christmas shopping. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Options Are Endless This Holiday Season<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whether you pack your suitcase <\/strong><\/a>full of gifts and jet off on holiday to see the family or shop right at home, you can access shopping without stepping out the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While some people prefer to shop only in stores, many people will choose to do the majority, if not all, of their online shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tablets, smartphones, and free Wi-Fi access offered in places like Tim Hortons and McDonald’s have made online purchases convenient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don’t have internet access at home, visit somewhere that does and shop til you drop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just be cautious about using shared Wi-Fi if it does not contain a password to sign in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though convenient, online shopping may not always be the best choice for your finances and Christmas budget.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shopping From Home<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Christmas<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Online shopping allows you to shop from the comfort of your home or anywhere you can gain online access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By shopping online, you avoid dealing with overworked salespeople, waiting in long lineups, or driving around aimlessly looking for a parking spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, online shopping can be done 24 hours a day, around the clock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I like sleeping at 2 am, but if you are up and have some online shopping, you can!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More product options may be available as shelf space isn’t limited to what the individual stores can stock. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, more options in your desired purchase’s color and size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also much easier to avoid impulse buying <\/strong><\/a>when shopping online. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Products may be found cheaper as you remove the intermediary from the equation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Product reviews are something you can always count on when shopping online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many very opinionated people and self-proclaimed experts out there love to leave reviews, whether they are good or bad. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though some people may go overboard, and the reviews may seem excessive, product reviews are a great tool to use when deciding to buy online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google any product, and you’re guaranteed to find thousands of reviews from past customers describing their experience with the company, the shipping process, and the product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cash Back Online Shopping <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find shopping online easier, using Rakuten<\/a><\/strong> for cashback and my credit card for rewards points and discount codes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It also allows me to compare prices more rather than shopping in-store and having to stop and check every step of the way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although planning to shop in-store is advisable, most shoppers often steer off the list. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shopping In-Store<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In-store shopping, especially around the holidays, can be crowded and noisy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choosing to shop in-store<\/strong> means you are limited to shopping when the stores are open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is also a chance of waiting in long lines, and we all know that finding a parking spot during the holiday shopping season can be stressful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A benefit of in-store shopping<\/strong> is that you can physically touch, hold, try on a size, or even be given a demonstration of how the product works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A common trend lately is under-staffed stores, which means you are more likely to find shelves cleared as there is insufficient store staff to keep on top of merchandising from the warehouse to the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, if they are adequately staffed you have, in most cases, someone who can tell you firsthand and in person the benefits or drawbacks of what you are looking to buy and may be able to offer other ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commission-based employees often have added incentives and bonuses this time of year, so you may find yourself dealing with salespeople who are a little more pushy than usual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Price matching<\/strong>, where you can get the same great deal at one store in another and a potential further discount to beat the competitor’s price. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grocery stores are not the only businesses that price-match in Canada<\/a><\/strong> and may be available to you based on what stores you shop in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike online shopping, where you have to wait for your purchase to be delivered, you get to leave the store with the product in hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Free Shipping <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We all love the word free; companies know this and use it in their marketing strategies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Free shipping sounds excellent, but be sure to consider whether you have to make a minimum purchase to obtain that said ‘free shipping’. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, orders over $25.00 are eligible for free shipping at Amazon.ca.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buying something you may not have ordered otherwise to meet the minimum threshold is a way for companies to sell more products and for you to spend more money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you cannot meet the threshold without buying something you don’t need, maybe consider going in-store to make your purchase. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Free shipping also often means the cheapest shipping option for the company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you hope your purchase arrives within a few days rather than a few weeks, free shipping likely isn’t an option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, remember that Amazon.ca<\/a><\/strong> and Walmart.ca<\/a><\/strong>, for example, are Canadian websites, and Amazon.com and Walmart.com are American sites. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will affect Shipping costs, so ensure you are shopping on the appropriate site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In-Store vs. Online Shopping <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Truthfully, shopping online is probably the better option regarding product selection and information availability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depending on shipping costs, you will likely find better prices than in-store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shopping in-store and online both have their advantages and disadvantages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Setting a spending budget and researching will benefit you no matter how you shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember price matching if you are shopping in-store and like a grocery shop plan<\/strong>, make a list, set your spending limit, and stay within it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you like to do your Christmas shopping last minute, then in-store shopping is the way to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you choose to shop online, take into consideration shipping times. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shopping earlier than later will allow your purchases to be delivered sooner and avoid being caught up or even lost in the holiday rush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Black Friday And Cyber Monday Shopping <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In recent years, Canada’s retail market has been trying to keep more of our Christmas shopping in Canada by adopting the American shopping days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Black Friday is held on the first Friday following the American Thanksgiving. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With Thanksgiving and Halloween having passed, many refer to this as the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stores typically open earlier than other shopping days, and the Black Friday deals are usually worth the wait in line if you brave the crowds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Working in retail for a few years, I have seen lineups starting 10-12 hours or more before the stores plan to open and the lines wrapped around the buildings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many retailers will intentionally not offer these deals online in anticipation of Cyber Monday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For people who despise crowds, long lines, and all the commotion with door-breaking deals, Cyber Monday may be when you try to score some discounted Christmas gifts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cyber Monday<\/a><\/strong> takes place the Monday after Thanksgiving<\/strong> <\/a>and Black Friday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This day was created as a second day to persuade people to shop online for the holidays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though the deals are offered online, and you avoid waiting in line, the values may still be limited to the number of each product shown, so if you are going to shop online, shop early!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There’s no right or wrong answer here, and many Canadians consider online and in-store shopping part of their Christmas purchase power. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discussion:<\/strong> Do you plan to use any Black Friday or Cyber Monday Deals? Do you prefer to shop online or in-store?<\/p>\n\n\n\n