Shopping has long since become a preferred form of entertainment for many people. The goal during shopping is often the act of shopping itself, rather than the specific product we want to buy. This type of activity, by its very definition, encourages purchasing things we “want” in addition to things we “need.” Shopping holidays are a perfect opportunity to continue buying things “we feel like having” at a low price and with ease just one click is needed to add them to our online cart, and the credit card charge happens automatically without us even feeling the money leaving our bank account.
Why Do We Buy So Much During Online Shopping Holidays?
The prices are genuinely cheap – Online stores launch significant discount campaigns that sometimes reduce product prices by dozens of percentage points.
Consumers fall into different categories – Some consume wisely while others make poor decisions. Some shoppers are aware of the product’s original price, some compare prices before purchasing, some compare prices across different stores that also join the shopping festivities, and some buy impulsively without exercising any judgment. Online shopping is similar to shopping in physical stores, and the buyers are similar too.
Perfect shopping season – Shopping holidays come at a “good” time of year. Even though our bank accounts remember the reality, mentally we’ve managed to forget the heavy holiday expenses. Added to this is the new season approaching winter which requires special investments in clothing and footwear.
Getting a great deal – A consumer who shops during online sales feels successful and accomplished. They feel like they’ve beaten the system, nabbed products at prices far lower than typical retail. The discounted purchases make them feel like winners they managed to buy cheap!
Kids as shopping agents – Children and teens also join the online shopping festivities. Requests from kids for dedicated money to shop during major sales events have become common in many households. Sometimes the request is for shopping money rather than money to purchase a specific pre-agreed item.
Kids shop fast and efficiently – For young people, the act of making an online purchase is simple. Within just a few minutes, any teen can buy the product you’re dreaming of at an especially attractive price. Young people serve as a bridge between adults’ desire to buy and the technological challenges that sometimes exist. The adult provides their credit card, and all the headaches, time-wasting, and hassle are spared.
You can shop any hour of the day or night – Work hours are long and numerous. How convenient that shopping can be done at any hour, right from your couch.
Shopping buzz – Shopping during sales events is exciting, everyone’s shopping online, snagging great deals. Every purchase is shared with others so everyone knows what you managed to buy.
Everyone’s doing it, so I will too – We act as part of the herd. Everyone shops online during sales holidays; there’s a strong feeling of wanting to belong to the group.
Smart Tips for Online Shopping During Sales Events
Consider whether to visit these sites at all. Just as we recommend not going to the mall for entertainment, online shopping isn’t entertainment. Before entering a site, think carefully about whether you want to enter the online “mall” festivities and whether you have a specific need. We know the celebration will result in expenses, so it’s worth asking the zero question—do we want to make this financial expenditure, and do we even have the financial capability to make these purchases?
Prepare a list before entering sites – It sounds like a clichéd tip, but our need must be defined in advance, not while browsing the site and examining deals and products offered to us. Just like arriving at the grocery store with a list saves money on purchases.
Don’t be tempted by deals – Products are sometimes offered to us practically free, for pennies. Just because a product is almost free doesn’t make it something we need to buy. A few dollars here and a few more dollars there during one sale, and in three more sales events, accumulate into significant amounts that are often spent on things that weren’t in our original purchase plan at all.
Just because it’s on sale doesn’t guarantee it’s cheap – Before purchasing a major product, check what its price is at multiple retailers and sites. In quite a few cases, you’ll be able to find the product at a lower price locally, where local purchases guarantee receiving the product, receiving service, and enable easy, simple, and immediate refunds when canceling the transaction and returning the product.
Before making large purchases, check the return policy. Payment through secure payment systems helps, and on some major sites there’s a clear product return policy. Sometimes the low price found doesn’t allow product returns if it’s defective and makes it difficult to receive a refund if the product doesn’t arrive.
In your overall considerations, factor in any applicable taxes and customs fees on purchases that may apply based on your location and purchase amount.
The key to smart online shopping is planning ahead, staying focused on what you truly need, and remembering that the best deal is the one on something you were going to buy anyway. Happy and mindful shopping!
