Online or Offline? How to Know Where to Make Your Next Big Purchase!

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When it’s time to make your next big purchase, you might be overwhelmed by all the choices out there! Everyday we’re bombarded with advertisements tempting us with all latest tech gear, but you might be asking yourself: can I get the best deals by shopping online or visiting a big box store? Both methods have pros and cons but there are some purchases that you should always buy online and vice versa.

So is it better to shop online or offline, and when? Let’s find out!

1. If you need to buy a lot of different items

If your shopping list is long and varied, you’re probably better off shopping from an online retailer that has a wide variety of products. Online bargain stores save money by not having to operate a retail environment and they can pass those savings down to you. Shopping online from a big box store is a great opportunity to use an online coupon too. In fact, most big box online retailers offer enticing discounts when you make a large purchase! 

Take AliExpress for instance. At AliExpress you can shop from everything from houseware to automotive parts, all from one retailer. Not only is this convenient, but it can save you money too. By using an AliExpress discount code like the ones featured on this page, you’ll even enjoy a major discount you wouldn't have had access to in stores!

So the next time you have a lot of little purchases to make, try a large online retailer to get the largest selection, at the lowest prices!

2. Big ticket purchases

There are some big ticket purchases where it makes sense to head to a retail store instead of staying home and hoping you ordered the right size:

• A mattress. The average person spends 26 years of their lives sleeping! You’re going to want to try out any mattress before you spend all that time on it.
• If you’re a particular size. Online clothing sizes can be tricky and sizes can easily vary from merchant to merchant. If you’re constantly returning packages, try shopping in person instead where you can have your clothing tailor if you need to.
• Cellphones. If you’re anything like the rest of us, you’ll be spending a lot of your free time on your smartphone. It’s always a good idea to try a cell phone first before you commit!

3. To help save the planet

There’s a lot of debate surrounding whether it’s better for the environment to shop from home or shop at a local retail store. The answer is more technical than you think! When determining the overall carbon footprint of ordering online, there’s a lot to consider. From the packaging materials used to the shipping route your package takes before it arrives at your door, there are multiple things to consider when trying to establish which of the two methods has the eco-friendly edge.

Overall most experts tend to agree that online shopping is a bit more eco-friendly than shopping at your local store…. but it also depends on where you live. A study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that if people lived far away from any local stores, then shopping online was actually more environmentally friendly.

This means that if taking care of the planet is high on your list, you're better off skipping that next shopping date to stay home and shop online instead!

4. If you have a coupon code

These days, it's easy to find an online coupon code to save money while shopping online. While in-store coupons seem to have become a thing of the past for everything except grocery stores, there are online websites absolutely packed with valid online coupons that you can use to save money on your next online purchase.

So before you buy that new thing you’ve been looking at, check online to see if there’s a coupon first!