Shopping Online Is Easy – But Is It Causing You To Spend More Money?

By Brian Maynor

 

Online shopping was once taboo, but now it’s the norm with more people actually preferring it to traditional shopping.

What’s not like? It’s available 24/7; there’s no more running around town to end up not finding what you need; it’s delivered to your door and now with returns getting easier there is little to no hassle returning things that don’t work. If that sounds too good to be true, you know that’s because it is. There is always a drawback and with shopping online it is that we tend to spend more money than we normally would in an actual store.

With all of those coupon codes and special sales it seems counter intuitive, but here are a few hidden tricks online retailers use to get more of your money and some tips on avoiding them:

 

1.    Minimum purchase for free delivery. It’s hard not to get stuck on the word ‘free’, but when what you want doesn’t meet that threshold we all to often keep shopping for things we don’t need just for accomplishment of free shipping. If you look at the breakdown, chances are paying for shipping would have saved you money. This is as much of a retail trick as product placement, lighting schemes and fragrance manipulation of brick and mortar stores.

2.    Virtual money is ‘Real money’. When there is no salesperson or physical transaction standing between you and your bounty just the click of a button it’s easy to lose track of the monetary aspect of online shopping. Adding items to your cart without much thought is virtual impulse spending. Much like walking away from items in a store and going back to them after you’ve had time to think about it and decide it’s worth the trip back leave items in your online shopping cart and see if you go back to them. More often than not, when we leave the site our desire for the items fade.

3.    Pay attention to the measurements. The biggest drawback to online shopping has always been the inability to touch and try-on the item before you buy it. Fortunately online retailers are much more informative about size and fit options providing more photos and details about the garment as well as the model’s measurements. This may sound superfluous, but they are actually the most important stats to use when looking for the right fit the first time.   We all know there is no consistency when it comes to sizing, even within a brand, so the more info you have the more comfortable you will feel about your purchase.

4.    Reviews matter. When debating over an item online I will always skim through the reviews. These are real people who have purchased the item, so I am very interested in what they have to say. Yes some are bogus or clearly unreliable, but if there are consistent comments on size, fit and/or quality I feel pretty confident they are accurate, and you should too. Take advantage of this unique option you don’t have when shopping in a store.

 

Online shopping is certainly convenient and rapidly overtaking traditional forms of shopping, but like everything you just have to pay attention to what you’re doing and don’t get carried away with marketing and subliminal advertising campaigns. For me, the best piece of advice is leaving the site before clicking purchase. If I go back and have to refill my cart then I know I not making an impulse purchase.

 

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 

 

 

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 

 

 

I am always curious to hear about your weekend wardrobe dilemmas and help make your work wardrobe pull double duty. Email your questions, quandaries and conundrums to [email protected]. Also find each of these storyboards at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.

 

 

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.