Compare and Contrast Essay on Shopping Online and Traditional Shopping

Introduction

Shopping gets noted as an activity whereby a person browses the available goods including services with the intention of buying them. Retailers usually present these goods and services. People will always want to shop using different methods that merge their requirements. Typically, the shopping preferences usually change depending on the situation of a person. In this case, therefore, the paper will explore some of the reasons as to why people would prefer accessing their needs using a specific method of shopping by comparing online and traditional shopping. The advantages and the disadvantages of the two methods will also be looked upon.

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Despite that traditional and online shopping are both convenient ways for acquiring the required goods and services; they both vary in various ways. Recently, many young individuals prefer online shopping, and it does not mean that traditional shopping has been neglected it is still important in society. Both of the shopping methods are important to the life of man. There is, therefore, some differences that exist between the online and traditional shopping as discussed below.

Differences Between the Online and Traditional Shopping

Firstly, traditional shopping involves going to the markets or streets when we are in need of something. Once in the market, we can decide whether or not to make purchases. The goods offered for sale are usually visible to the customers. When it comes to online shopping, it mainly depends on the internet land it implies that without the internet, there will be no shopping taking place. While on the internet, various shopping websites are usually available for instance Amazon and Taobao where you will access whichever good you need and place the order without physically appearing in that location.

Secondly, a clear difference can be seen regarding comments. Take for instance when you purchase a commodity like medicine, with the traditional shopping, it is harder to know the efficacy of the particular product even when you purchase it in the supermarket. If for instance, you want to inquire about the advantages of using such a product over their substitutes, the salesperson will only put some advantages of it which will become difficult to believe it. In contrast, with the online shopping, it is easier to understands and believe some of the advantages and disadvantages of some products since you can easily check the comments that are left by the initial users pertaining that product.

The third difference is seen regarding the simplicity of the methods. Individuals are always interested in the supplier methods. Traditional shopping usually involves physically presenting oneself which may be expensive. With online shopping, it does not involve many issues, for instance, finding parking regions, making communication and meeting with many crowds and queuing for long. It is generally cheaper than traditional shopping.

From the difference given above, it is true that they both have strengths and the weaknesses. When we are doing shopping, we should always major on their strengths rather than the weakness. A few of these advantages and disadvantages are discussed below.

The Strengths of Traditional Shopping

• Strengths of traditional shopping
• One can easily check the material
• The design of the commodity can be seen from close thereby enabling someone to decide on the appropriate design based on his/ her choice
• There is immediate access to the product once after making the required payment.
• It is easier to know where the actual product comes from.
• When it comes to purchasing of products for instance clothes, you can check whether it fits on your body or not.

Weaknesses of Traditional Shopping

• It is time-consuming when compared to online shopping as it involves physical appearance in the shop.
• Someone has to meet many strangers when doing shopping which may not be favorable to many.
• If for example, someone wants to check on the fitness of cloth, it may become time-consuming as you have to wait for a dressing room when customers are many.
• Once you have bought a product, it is easier to forget the price which may become harder to make a comparison in the case of need of the same product shortly.
• There is always the tendency of pressure since you may want to view everything and visit all shops.

The Strengths of Online Shopping

• One can save on time and money which might have been spent in the case of traditional shopping for parking and fuelling.
• There is an easy comparison of prices
• One can easily buy the product whenever required without necessarily going to the shop
• Online shopping allows sending of gifts
• It is cheaper when compared to traditional shopping as you can purchase the same commodity seen in the market at a lower cost

Weaknesses in Online Shopping

• You cannot view the commodity physically
• In case of commodities like clothes and shoes, you cannot try them on
• It requires patience as it involves waiting for the product to arrive once delivered
• In some instances, someone may end up paying higher prices for delivering the product than the cost of the product itself
• There is a risk of online frauds

Conclusion

In summary, both traditional and online shopping has some few similarities, for instance, they both offer promotions and sales. They also offer someone selection for which someone can choose from. Also, both have their advantages and disadvantages which an individual has to check upon when making decisions.