Josh Elledge - Chief Executive Angel
For the last few weeks here in the SavingsAngel column, we've discussed how to save money shopping online. From learning about comparison sites to finding coupon codes, our members have told us they don't want to simply save on groceries; they want to save on everything!
And certainly, online shopping has made it possible to buy everything from cars to carpeting with the click of a button. However, just because you can buy something on the web doesn't mean you should. The future will likely change things – but so far there are compelling reasons to avoid spending your money online for the below categories.
So… If you are looking for the best value, power down the computer and head to the store whenever you need to purchase these five items.
Groceries
Buying your groceries online may seem like an awesome idea, but I have three words for you: don't do it! I've been tracking grocery prices at SavingsAngel.com looking for online grocery deals to pass on to our members for seven years and they are few and far between.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, food accounts for about 13 percent of an average family's annual spending. If you are purchasing items online, you may find that number climbs even higher.
For example, on Amazon, you can buy a 24 pack of Café Escapes coffee K-cups for $15.74. If you are an Amazon Prime member, your shipping will be free too. However, if you were able to snag one of the $6.00/2 coupons posted on Facebook recently, you would have been able to buy 24 of the same k-cups at Family Fare last week for $7.98.
While it may make sense to buy some specialty items online, limited product selection and the inability to use coupons means there is no compelling reason to do your main grocery shopping on the web.
Big ticket items
If you are spending a lot of money on an item, never buy it sight unseen from the internet.
I'm all for researching appliances, cars and computers online, but if you are investing a sizable amount of money into an item, you really should see it in person.
Electronics, in particular, may be subject to strict return policies. And in the event you can return an item that wasn't what you expected, you may get slapped with a hefty restocking fee such as the 15 percent charged by Newegg.com for returns to that site.
You can usually avoid a restocking fee if the item is defective, but if you just plain don't like it, you are out of luck ““ and money! Better to check out these items in person first before being sorry later.
Furniture
Furniture is another category that is best shopped for offline unless you need a specialty item. As a big ticket purchase, you want to be able to try out the recliner or lay down on the mattress before committing to an item that could be part of your life for years ““ or even decades!
But more importantly, furniture is really heavy. In some cases, the cost of shipping a piece of furniture may be nearly as much as the item itself.
Just how much is shipping? Rates for Ikea vary, but if you buy a piece of furniture that costs more than $200 and weighs more than 70 pounds, you can expect to pay a minimum of $150 to get it to your house.
In the event you find a free shipping deal on furniture or another heavy item, check out the return policy before making your purchase. Do you have to pay to ship it back or can you take it to a local store for a return or exchange?
Clothing and footwear
Ok, this one should have an asterisk by it. If it is a brand you love in a size you already own, you can find some great deals online.
Otherwise, stick to the stores when looking for clothes. One brand's size 12 may be another brand's size 8. Plus it is hard to envision what that a two dimensional shirt on the computer screen is going to look like on you or your children.
If you buy online and end up with something that fits and looks great, you've come out ahead. If not, you need to ship it back and start over again. In the long run, you might save time and money by simply taking an afternoon to hit your favorite stores each season.
Prescription drugs
The last thing you should never buy online is prescription drugs.
Consider these facts from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy:
- 97 percent of the more than 10,000 websites analyzed by the NABP were out of compliance with U.S. laws and pharmacy standards
- 88 percent do not require a valid prescription
- 49 percent use foreign or non-FDA approved medications
- 41 percent have server sites in foreign companies
- 16 percent do not have secure sites
Earlier this year, the Food and Drug Administration worked with authorities from 99 countries to seize more than $41 million in illegal medications sold on deceptive websites that led consumers to believe they were affiliated with major drug store chains or approved by the Canadian government.
If you don't have prescription drug coverage or if your deductible is sky-high, watch for a future column where we will talk about pharmacy savings programs and other tips to save on medication.
