THINGS CUSTOMERS CONSIDER WHEN BUYING ONLINE

While online shopping has taken the business community by a storm, there are still some fears that online shoppers have. Some questions still beg answers. Perhaps that is why some people still prefer to shop at brick-and-mortar stores. The ever-increasing number of online scams add an insult to the injury. Because of the uncertainty of the online shopping process, savvy shoppers are always careful to make sure that they do not fall into the trap of unscrupulous traders. Here are a few things customers consider when buying online.

Authenticity of the online shopping website

The number of online stores increases by the day. There are some that are busy conning people off their hard-earned money, and there are others that are doing legitimate business. It is up to the customer to separate the wheat from the chaff. There are several tools that customers use to confirm the validity of a website before they can buy anything on it.

Online identity

On top of confirming that a site is credible, it is also important to ascertain that the website is what it claims to be. Cybercrime is far from being eliminated from the online business world. Impersonation still exists. Remember that no one knows you are who you are on the internet. Therefore, before you buy something from a website, you should be able to confirm the exact identity of the website.

Safety of the payment method

Once you are sure of the authenticity and the identity of the website, the next thing to consider should ensure the safety of the payment method. Customers want to be sure that they can comfortably share their credit card numbers with the website in question. Customers also want to be sure that they can get an invoice and a receipt of their payment. Indeed, the entire checkout process is of great concern to online customers.

Shipping

Online shopping has made it easy for us to buy goods wherever they are in the world. While this is a great move, it has its challenges. For instance, with most online shops, goods are delivered to your doorstep after a stipulated period. There is always the fear that your goods may be shipped to the wrong address or they may get lost somewhere on the way. There is also the possibility that the goods may arrive later than they were expected. For these reasons, customers are always concerned with the safety of the shipment process.

The return and refund policy

It is very important to know how an online store handles returns and refunds. It is very common to make an erroneous purchase. Additionally, you may also pay for goods that are either out of stock or are no longer available. In this case, it is always important to know whether or not you will be refunded. Sometimes, your goods may get damaged while in transit. What happens with these goods? Do you get a replacement? Who pays for the transport of the goods back to the warehouse? These are some of the questions that you should always ask yourself.

Customer reviews

Finally, when people are buying things online, they always want to know what other people are saying about the online store. They want to know how friendly the staff is and generally how easy it is to do business on the site.

5 Things to Consider Before Making a Purchase

Over the years, I’ve bought many things that I don’t really need. I’m sure most of you have, too. After all, many of us have been raised in an instant-gratification culture.

We’re constantly bombarded with visions of shiny new toys. The media knows how to push our want buttons. Our friends show us the cool stuff they just bought. We want. Our neighbors just got a cool new car or boat. We want.

But wait! What if I told you that there are many ways to tame our want. There are. Wanting is an emotional response to being unsatisfied with what you already have. Trying to satisfy yourself with more stuff is similar to a drug addiction. You get a temporary high, but after it wears off, you want more.

Before we discuss five things to consider before buying, let’s compare the differences between need and want.

Need: According to dictionary.com, a need is a requirement, necessary duty, or obligation. A need is necessity arising from circumstances of a situation.

Want: On the other hand, want is to wish, crave, demand, or desire.

See the difference?

I may need a cup to drink water from, but I do not need a 16-piece set of crystal glasses. I may need a car for transportation, but I don’t need a Hummer. I may need a place to sleep, but I don’t need a 5000-square-foot mansion.

Sometimes we want things we don’t really need. I’m a musician. I want more instruments. I’m a homeowner. I want nice stuff in my house. But I’ve learned how to curb my wants. This is not to say we should never buy things we want.

Still, we should evaluate each want critically before we buy. Here are five things to consider before making any purchase:

1. Appreciate what you already have.

One reason we break down and buy more stuff is that we don’t really appreciate what we already have. When I find myself considering a new purchase, I ask myself, “Do I already have something that will fulfill the purpose?” If the answer is yes, I then ask, “Why do I need another thing to fulfill the same purpose?” Most of the time, I cannot find a valid reason. So instead of buying something new, I focus on the item I already have. This allows me to appreciate that item more.

2. Weigh the costs.

How much do you have to give up in order to get what you want? Of course the immediate answer is money. But it goes deeper than that. You’re also giving up time. Money only comes with time. When we spend money, we have to work harder and longer to recoup our loss. This not only steals our time, but it takes time away from our loved ones and our passions. Is the new gadget really worth it?

3. Study your options.

This might not work for everybody, but it often works for me. When I really want something that I don’t need, I study my options. Essentially, I go window shopping, or Internet browsing. As I study my options, I reconsider what I already have. I weigh the costs of the possible purchase. Often, I discover that there are too many choices of new products. This allows me time and space to reconsider the purchase.

4. Take a walk.

Exercise is magic. Not only do I use exercise to help deal with stress, I use exercise to stay on an even keel. Walking is one of my favorite forms of exercise because it’s meditative. When I walk, I often reflect on my surroundings. I also reflect on my own wants and needs. I ponder what is really important in my life. Often, I discover that the walk itself is much more important than many of the things that money can buy. Walking gives you time to consider the pros and cons of your motivations to buy. You might discover that your immediate burning desire for something decreases after a walk.

5. Practice restraint.

In order to tame the savage beast of want, you have to learn to say NO! Saying no is a form of discipline. Like anything else, saying no takes practice. Start by saying no to little things. Say no to an extra spoon of sugar in your coffee. Say no to another pair of shoes when you already have five pairs of shoes. When we practice restraint with little things, we learn how to say no more often.

One last piece of advice: We’re often most tempted when we resist. When we try to stop a behavior too abruptly, when we resist a desire, we’re constantly dwelling on that exact thing. That’s why so many people fail at dieting or exercise programs. We try too hard, we go for all or nothing. When we fail to reach the desired goal, we feel defeated and return to former behavior.

Beasts are not tamed quickly. It takes time. Allow yourself the room to make errors along the way. Focus on your longterm goals. I’ve found this strategy to work very well. One of my longterm goals is to minimize my belongings to the absolute essentials for my situation. This includes my basic needs, my family’s needs, my work needs, and tools for my hobbies.

Next time you want something you don’t really need, consider these five things before making that purchase.

Best ideas for Christmas shopping

Christmas Shopping

With the beginning of December, people begin making plans and look forward for shopping. It is a time of dual celebration, of Christmas and New Year. People tend to think that Christmas shopping and shopping for gifts is the same thing. However, there is much more to Christmas shopping than just gifts. One has to take some important decisions to make it a wonderful experience.

When do I start my Christmas Shopping?
To set the festive mood, start shopping as early as possible. Start noticing the pre-Christmas sales that have been running at most shops. Grab a bargain, and visit stores that offer discounts. Always avoid shopping in a hurry.

How do I get the best deal?
Never purchase all the items from one market, try to go for a exclusive shop for a particular item that one should need.

What do I buy?
If you are shopping for kids and ladies, the nature of gift or product would differ and the place from which you are buying would also change. So always keep in mind, and make a separate list for each category.

Some Popular Ideas on Christmas shopping
Market Selection:
Come Christmas time and all of us start searching the market to select those perfect gifts for all our near and dear ones. But if you choose the market before shopping, it will make your shopping session much simpler and convenient, it helps in saving your precious time and makes shopping successful.

Shopping on a Weekday:
Weekends have always been considered a favorite time to go shopping. But the festive season added to the fact that it is a weekend makes it so much more difficult to shop at peace. A great solution to this is to shop on weekdays.

Make the Budget for Christmas Shopping:
Its Christmas time, the best time to go for shopping! Christmas holiday represents the perfect reason to indulge in shopping for self as well as family members and friends. One should prepare and make up their mind before they go and shop for that perfect gift. It helps in avoiding the splurging or the feeling that one has overspent.

Prepare a list:
Of the material required to decorate the Christmas tree,home,front fate,table,and your living room. Write every last little thing - presses, crackers, cards, wrapping paper, ribbon, bows, sticky tape, the lot and stick to the list

Avail the special Discount offers on Christmas Shopping:
There are numerous schemes offered by the shopkeepers to lure people. One has to be aware of the offers available in the market, to avail this wonderful opportunity and make this Christmas more memorable and unique.

Make Christmas Shopping an occasion to remember:
Incorporate Christmas shopping with a dinner or a movie or mall hopping and turn it into a fun holiday.

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How to Grocery Shop Like a Pro

Grocery shopping is one of life's never-ending chores, but it can make all the difference when it comes to living a healthy, balanced life week-after-week.

Whether you're trying to feed your bustling family on a budget, looking to slim down by eating healthier or just hoping to make your weekly shopping experience more manageable, these tips will help.

Plan Out Your Meals Ahead of Time

One of the best things you can do to improve your grocery shopping experience is to plan your meals out ahead of time. Many people make the mistake of going into the store with only a list of the basics, like milk, bread and eggs. The rest, like what's for dinner each night, they hope to figure out as they go.

This is a recipe for disaster and usually ends with you spending way more time and money at the store than you intended.

Do yourself a favor; instead of trying to figure out a week's worth of meals on the spot, decide on your menu ahead of time. Do some searching online, browse Pinterest or simply write out a list of ingredients for your go-to favorites. 

Doing this in the calm environment of your home means you'll show up at the grocery store knowing exactly what you want, making the overall experience shorter and more cost-efficient.  

Use a Mobile App

Technology is your friend, especially when it comes to grocery shopping. Mobile apps like athleats can be a lifesaver when it comes to your shopping needs. 

The app's ShopEats function is essentially a high-tech grocery list, with the ability to add checkmarks as you go. It even automatically sorts the ingredients for you, categorizing them in sections like produce, meats, dairy and canned and jarred, so you won't miss anything as you browse the different aisles.

Plus, the app has a recipe database that emphasizes healthy cooking. Once you select a meal, it can import those ingredients directly to the list, knocking out any meal planning you need to do for the week in one easy step. Download the app here. 

Eat Beforehand

Consider this the golden rule of grocery shopping: never shop while hungry.  

You've probably heard this advice before and for good reason—it's actually been shown that people are more likely to buy calorie-dense food when they're hungry, derailing the well-meaning intentions of many shoppers. 

Limit your chances of falling off the wagon by eating a filling, high-protein snack before you go. You'll find the dessert and snack aisles much less tempting. 

5 Tips to Find the Best Online Shopping Discounts Using Coupon Codes

I’ll admit that I’m not much a of a couponer. In fact, the only time I’ll ever hand over a coupon in a brick-and-mortar store is if it’s significant, such as $20 off a $40 purchase. But other than that, I’m not interested in taking the time to clip coupons. While I definitely don’t fault those who do so, the idea of clipping, organizing, and shopping with an envelope stuffed with coupons completely intimidates me.

Shopping with coupons online is a different story, however. Online coupons are simple to find, really easy to use, and you don’t get the evil eye from a cashier when you try to use one. It’s perfect for someone like me who does a ton of online shopping. In fact, it’s pretty rare that I buy anything online without first finding a coupon.

Shopping With Coupon Codes

Though coupon codes can save you money, you need to be smart about how you use them. Before you grab that code and plug it into the online checkout, make sure that it’s a code really worth using. In some cases, spending more to save a couple bucks isn’t a great investment at all.

Here are five more tips to use when shopping online with coupon codes:

1. Get the Terms
Some coupon codes can shave a couple bucks off of your bottom line, but only if you spend a certain amount. When this happens, it’s worthwhile to do the math. Compare how much you’ll spend without the coupon code versus the final price that you’ll spend with the coupon code. If you’ll end up spending more with the code because of limits and restrictions, it probably isn’t worth it.

Make sure that you know exactly what you’re spending so you can make the right decision. Sometimes, you can justify spending more because you’ll score more stuff – but it’s a moot point if it’s not in your budget or is something you wouldn’t have purchased otherwise.

2. Compare Deals
Whenever searching for coupon codes, you’ll find that many sites, such as RetailMeNot, offer a couple different options for coupon codes. However, the biggest percentage discount isn’t automatically the best bet. Sometimes, taking a free shipping code beats getting 15% off your purchase, depending on how much you’re spending. Calculate the various options until you find the one that gives you the best discount for the items currently in your virtual shopping cart – this way, you’ll always get the best deal.

3. Check the Locations
Some coupon codes are strictly for online use. But other codes also work in stores as a printable coupon, or even on the screen of your smartphone. If you find a great deal with a coupon code, see where it applies. If you can get the deal in-store, you’ll save on shipping costs while still nabbing the discount for the lowest price possible. If you can’t tell whether a coupon code is online only, make a quick call to your nearest store and ask. Sometimes, it’s totally up to the manager to decide whether you can use a web code in-store.

4. Check for Stacking
The vast majority of coupon codes can only be used one at a time, to prevent customers from abusing the offer. But some coupon codes don’t work with gift cards, so you could end up in a pickle during checkout if you’re using one. If the site you’re buying from only has one area to enter promotional codes and gift cards, you must figure out which will give you the deepest discount. Of course, a ton of stores allow you to use your gift card with a coupon code, which is one of the best ways to get what you need on the cheap.

5. Share the Deal
When you’ve scored a great deal using a coupon code, check the terms to see whether the code can be used more than once. If so, offer the coupon code to friends or family members by posting the code on your blog, on online forums, or even on Facebook. Since not all coupon codes are total winners, it’s nice to pass along one that is really worth a shopper’s time.

5 Tips On How To Shop Like A Pro

With the upcoming holidays the need to do your shopping is getting even stronger as days go by and if you have kids, then that becomes an added task on your hands. Before you go out for some shopping you need to have planned for it; you need to know exactly what you want and know where you will find it. With modern science and technology, shopping has been made even easier, to be specific the internet has changed the world of shopping.

Nowadays you do not have to go to the shopping mall physically you can do your shopping online, and as for payment, you can transfer the money online too. This is an advantage since you can now buy things which cannot be found in your country.

If you are looking forward to doing your shopping soon this article will guide you through some tips on how to shop like a pro.

Make a shopping list

This is usually the first thing you should do immediately the thought of shopping crosses your mind. You should make a list of the things you need. This will save you from buying things which you do not need. A shopping list also helps you to remember important stuff if you have a tendency of forgetting.

Do online shopping

We are living in the 21st century, it is high time you did your shopping like a pro. One way of doing that is by shopping online. The online market is better since it has everything you need as compared to your local shopping mall which might limit you from buying everything you want. It is a safe and fast way of shopping overseas since you will just place an order, transfer money online and then wait for your goods to be delivered right at your doorstep.

Stick to your budget

Sticking to your budget is another sure way of a successful shopping. Before you do your shopping you need to have made a budget for the things you want to buy, a budget will show you how much money you have and from there you will know exactly how much to spend on shopping by doing that you will be saving yourself from overspending especially for the ladies who love to shop.

Make time for shopping.

If you are planning on going to your local shopping mall, then you need to choose a day when you have no commitments and allocate the day for shopping. You need time to shop so that you do not shop under pressure and end up buying unnecessary things. For you to get what you wanted, you have to make time for shopping.

Go through everything first

When you get to the mall you should first have a walk around the mall and see what they have, it might be very tempting to see one thing and immediately buy and then see another and do the same. If you have an idea of what the mall and how much they cost, then you can buy what you need.

If you love shopping then you know that it has always been about getting exactly what you want and when you want it and there should be no barriers stopping you from getting that. The tips mentioned above will help you increase your shopping options like the option of online shopping, as well as guarantee you the best shopping experience. If haven’t been doing any of the things mentioned above, it is time that you start to consider them and from there you will be shopping like a pro.

7 things you must know about Black Friday in Brazil

If you haven’t started preparing for Black Friday 2019 in Brazil yet, you definitely should.

Black Friday is already the second most important date in Brazilian retail, just behind Christmas. Local merchants start to prepare themselves months in advance, and consumers try to make the most of the discounts. In 2018, Google released a study called “Black Friday Season.” The data from this study is still valid for Black Friday 2019, which takes place on November 29th.

Black Friday opens the Brazilian fourth-quarter shopping season—when people receive their 13th salary and shop around for Christmas presents and New Year’s Eve celebrations. “Black Friday is gigantic in size and importance and opens a period full of purchasing intentions,” says Patricia Muratori, head of retail sales at Google Brazil.

“Brands should not see the date as an event that begins and ends, but as the beginning of a longer-lasting relationship with the consumer.”

Below we highlighted some of the most interesting conclusions from the Google study that can help to develop and implement the right strategy to boost sales.

#1: Black Friday is about offering real and significant discounts

As soon as it was introduced in Brazil, Black Friday faced a lot of consumer skepticism. Terms like “Black Fraud” were constantly used alluding to the date. But Google’s study made it clear that this image has already been changed in Brazil. The conclusion is based on an analysis in which people’s opinion about Black Friday was associated with hashtags. Among respondents, 55% used positive terms such as #discounttruth. Only 8% cited the term #blackfraud, and the other 37% used neutral expressions such as #blackfriday.

Black Friday has gained popularity among Brazilians, and it is attracting new consumers every year. Among those who already buy products online, 68% intend to make some purchase on the next Black Friday.

#2: Black Friday is strong on e-commerce

Of those surveyed by Google in 2017, 80% said they did both the search process and the shopping process online, that is, from their computers or mobile devices. Already 11% do Internet consultation and physical store purchases, while 4% do the reverse (online shopping and offline search). Finally, they also represent 4% of the total who perform both actions personally.

#3: Black Friday changes peoples’ behavior

Black Friday (sum of sales on Thursday and Friday) was responsible for 4.9% of total e-commerce revenues in 2018. It is considered one of the most important dates of the year, concentrating sales of R$2.6 billion (US$630 million), with an average ticket of R$608 (US$148). In total, Black Friday’s sales volume from Thursday to Sunday represented a growth of 11.2% compared to the same period last year. In 2017, the growth was 8.8%, according to data from the Cielo do Extended Retail Index (ICVA). Considering only the volume purchased via e-commerce, this increase was even higher, 25.2%, when compared to 2017.

The event is especially important for online business sales as it represents about 4.5% of annual e-commerce revenue. As a reference, the 10 days before Christmas together represent 18% of revenues, according to XP Investments report. The electronics market is the most invoiced on date, responsible for 44% of purchases made in the period. Second are apparel and accessories, which account for 19% of sales, and third is beauty, games, and merchandise, tied at 9% each.

According to Ebit-Nielsen, the product categories with the largest volume of sales and orders are as follows:

#4: Black Friday goes beyond only one day

Black Friday in Brazil always happens on the fourth Friday of November, but the impact on sales is much broader. Many stores take the opportunity to lower their prices during the week of the event—in the so-called Black Week.

The Google study points out that 16% of purchases take place before Black Friday (Monday thru Thursday) and another 5% are completed shortly after the date (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday). The average ticket is also, on average, 20% higher, reaching a level above R$1,400. (US$340).

The positive performance of the practice has led some retailers to extrapolate the offer period further: this is the case of Black Month. Those offers and promotions benefit both shoppers and merchants. The shopkeeper increases sales volume and, consequently, revenues, while the customer has more time to make the purchase decision. The chart below, with data from Google, shows these facts:

#5: Black Friday is more than discounts

The main appeal for a consumer to purchase during Black Friday is still the price. A 2018 Google study about Black Friday in Brazil indicates that 49% of people evaluate this criterion before making a decision. But in recent years other factors have also gained relevance. Most (51%) of potential consumer-weighted aspects concern consumer confidence and experience, including freight cost, payment methods, and lead time. Another relevant element is loyalty; two-thirds of consumers made purchases at stores where they were already customers. This piece of data shows how important it is to go beyond price by offering advantageous freight terms, payment methods, and service.

#6: Black Friday is now part of the Brazilian culture

Black Friday is already part of Brazilian culture and not a seasonal event anymore. Between 2012 and 2016, the number of physical stores present at the event doubled, breaking the barrier of 43,000 participants. The number of e-commerce participants in Black Friday grew by ten times over the same period. With this expansion, programs emerged to ensure the quality of participating stores, such as the Black Friday Legal Stamp.

The Google study says that 70% of Brazilian Internet users have already bought on Black Friday.

#7: Black Friday promotions are impulsive sales

Although Black Friday is a date when many are organizing themselves financially to buy something for a lower price, 16% of people confessed that, despite not having planned to do so, they ended up buying products when they found a good opportunity. Most (33%), however, consider the period as an opportunity to buy an item or service they expected. Price still is a great motivation—23% of people say that low price makes them get something they always use.

Black Friday promotions are announced through different channels, and this is a strategy that works. However, 35% of people learn about the event when entering online commerce sites. Of those interviewed, 26% say that they were informed about the promotions when receiving email from the store or brand website, while 24% find out on search engines. Just behind, with 23%, are those who saw advertisements on TV, 19% when accessing the store/brand page, and 19% through social networks.