Woo Hoo!!!

[deuces wild]

A big thanks to whoever invented the internet and on line shopping.

I was able to complete birthday (for my wife) and Christmas shopping for my wife and son over this past weekend without leaving the house and most likely getting a better deal than I would at the shopping mall. This feat was accomplished while watching football games on TV in my office and in between putting up the Christmas lights and decorations outside.

Ebay and Google are my friends.

My wife is in charge of buying for my daughter, although I was able to get 2 of the things she wanted this weekend also (on line).

How many of you do your shopping on the internet instead of at the malls or big box stores? You can not only compare prices but many times apply on line coupons, get free shipping and avoid sales tax.

[AlanHo]

I regularly buy on line - especially for the more expensive items.

A recent unusual example is that a friend who does not have a computer wanted to send a Paddington Bear to her grand-daughter in Australia who is expecting a baby. The grand-daughter could not find one in Australia and my friend had not been able to find one in the local stores (she is nearly 90 years old and cannot travel too far).

I located one on a UK web store and ordered it on her behalf. The 12" tall bear cost £19.99 and to my amazement they only charged £2.50 for the shipping. 9 days later my friend got a phone call to say it had arrived safely and in time to hibernate for the winter (except it is summer down there).

[andsome]

A big thanks to whoever invented the internet and on line shopping.

I was able to complete birthday (for my wife) and Christmas shopping for my wife and son over this past weekend without leaving the house and most likely getting a better deal than I would at the shopping mall. This feat was accomplished while watching football games on TV in my office and in between putting up the Christmas lights and decorations outside.

Ebay and Google are my friends.

My wife is in charge of buying for my daughter, although I was able to get 2 of the things she wanted this weekend also (on line).

How many of you do your shopping on the internet instead of at the malls or big box stores? You can not only compare prices but many times apply on line coupons, get free shipping and avoid sales tax.

Do they show real football on American TV, as well as the namby pamby American stuff? :lol: :lol: :lol:

[artist]

I shop on line a lot, too. The prices are good and so far I have never had a major problem - not even when I have had to return stuff.

:)

[-pops-]

I do a lot of on-line shopping.

Two main reasons for this:

1. Prices tend to be better. Better even than buying from the same company's shop.

2. Choice is much better. Living in the back of beyond, as I do, the number of stores is restricted and the one's that are around tend to be quite small. That, together with my restricted mobility, makes on-line shopping a godsend.

I buy all computer components on-line as I can select and find exactly what I want and need - not having to accept a nearest substitute because the store is out of stock. Even the biggest stores have stock problems - that's if they normally have what I want in the first place. My son is extraordinarily picky about what goes into his computers - almost, but not quite, to the point of obsession - so when building for him I must get the parts that he specifies. The only way to do this is on line.

I've never had any real problems shopping this way and any minor blips there have been were quickly remedied.

One thing I won't buy on line is food. I shy away from superstore provisions and the shops I use are small, local suppliers - who don't have, want or need an on line presence. Also, I like to see what I'm buying. I don't want the un-ripenable peaches, the battered incipiently rotting citrus fruit, the large flint pebbles that disguise themselves as potatoes in pre-packed bags, the aluminium (aluminum) dishes on vac-formed trays inside PET clear film inside a high gloss full colour printed carton to hold my mince pies. The list can go on.

[andsome]

I too shop on line, but avoid E Bay.

[CurlyWhirly]

I've been shopping online for years and have never had a problem and saved myself a fair amount of money!

Although, like andsome, I also avoid E-bay.

[Thos]

I always do a first look on-line to compare prices including delivery. Usually, but not always, the on-line purchases are better. I have never had a problem and am usually amazed how quickly things arrive.

Like pops, I avoid food shopping on-line though and actually don't dislike a trip to the supermarket for the weekly shop.

Thos.

[-pops-]

I do go to the supermarket but I also go to our local real shops - butcher, baker (no candlestick maker), grocer, greengrocer, fishmonger, wine shop (not for me, of course), health food store*.

(*Why do the people who run health food stores always look so unhealthy and ill?)

[r4may]

I also shop a lot online but not for food stuff, I've seen the way the supermarkets load up their orders so prefer to see what I'm getting, not just the 'Top handful' especially the 'FRESH ' food. :P

[Tankus]

Its a good way of supermarkets to get rid of stuff thats "near code" .....

Use it for the heavies .....

[deuces wild]

I never, nor will I ever, purchase food over the internet.

For those who don't like Ebay......tell us why. :)

[CurlyWhirly]

I have never had a problem and am usually amazed how quickly things arrive

Same here.

Generally speaking with small items like DVD's or music CD's, if I order on monday it is delivered within 48 hours!

For those who don't like Ebay......tell us why. :)

I've never got round to understanding how it all works and I'm not convinced that it's a safe way to buy or sell goods or services but perhaps my view isn't a common one judging by the number of people who regularly use E-bay!

[deuces wild]

For those who don't like Ebay......tell us why. :)

I've never got round to understanding how it all works and I'm not convinced that it's a safe way to buy or sell goods or services but perhaps my view isn't a common one judging by the number of people who regularly use E-bay!

If you never got around to understand how it works how can you take a position that it's not a safet way to buy or sell goods?

Pay attention to the feedback from folks who purchased from the seller.............note the star rating of the seller....do not pay with cash but with Paypal or credit card. Do not buy from a seller with only 1 or 2 ratings. Follow these suggestions and you will be OK.

There are a lot of great buys on Ebay from reputable sellers. Give it a go with a small priced item. :)

[andsome]

Maybe E bay is fine in the States, but there have been problems here. thousands of purchases are made regularly with no problem, but there are also many horror stories. Someone will be bound to come back now and say that they have never had a problem, then my answer to that is good for you, I am happy for you, but for me, NO THANKS. There was a TV programme mentioning E bay in depth recently. Many fake goods have been discovered, and there have been many complaints to E bay, who have apparently done little about it. Many of the people who have been the subject of complaints are STILL trading, many many weeks after repeated complaints. I have purchased many good on line from both manufacturers and retail suppliers, but will never risk buying from an individual who I have never met. That is my choice personally, and good luck to those who are prepared to take a chance.