Story is from WTNH. Video can be found here.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)– This is an especially busy time of year for online retailers. Many people do some, if not all, of their holiday shopping online. But there are some things that experts say you shouldn’t buy online and not just during the holiday season.
Shopping online is convenient and sometimes you can find some good deals. But experts say sometimes it’s still best to head to a store to find what you’re looking for.
Buying clothing online can be tricky. Experts say swimsuits and kids’ shoes can be especially challenging to buy online. It’s hard to know if something will fit if you can’t try it on. Plus, sizes can differ between brands or even styles.
If you’re looking for a deal on your groceries experts say you likely won’t find that online. Picking out your produce and meats yourself also means you can make sure you’re getting the freshest food. Though if you do want to get your groceries online experts recommend ordering a delivery online from a local store instead of from a large online retailer.
Furniture and home decor are also best bought at a store, since that can save you from paying high shipping fees and surcharges. Being able to see and touch these items in person will help you decide what you want to get and help you avoid returns.
If you are looking to buy a high end musical instrument it’s best to test it out first, so you’ll want to shop in a store. Also, shipping can be expensive and the instrument could be damaged in the process.
Bicycles and mattresses are items that are best bought in a store too. You’ll want to test them out first. Plus if the bike is under warranty and you need to get it fixed that can get tricky if you bought it online.
“If it does not fit or you do not like it then you have to ship it back. That comes usually with additional time because you have to wrap it up, you have to bring it to the station,” said Frank Breitinger, Assistant Professor at University of New Haven.
When shopping online it’s important to know the seller’s return policy. It isn’t always free to ship something back if you want to return it and that can get expensive.