These days, everyone seems to be buying electronics online. In just a few clicks, prospective buyers can expect their orders to come in the mail, all without leaving the sofa or even your bed! However, there is still some merit in walking to an actual brick-and-mortar store to buy your electronics.
Despite the convenience of online shopping, there are numerous reasons why seeing a product in person before a purchase can often be the better choice. From special promos to peace of mind, here are some reasons you should buy electronics in-store instead of online.
1. Guaranteed Brand New
One key factor to check when shopping for electronics is whether it is brand new or refurbished. Unfortunately, even for the trained eye, pictures of electronics online can be deceiving. As copycat products hit the market quickly, it can be difficult to tell fake products from real ones when shopping online.
For this reason, buying from a reputable retailer can help reduce the risk of accidentally purchasing counterfeit products. In addition, you can also be sure that your device comes from an unopened box, which has not been tampered with before purchase.
2. Authentic Second-Hand or Refurbished Products
For those tight on cash, buying second-hand or refurbished electronics can help reduce the overall cost. However, when buying second-hand products online, they may not always be authentic, which means you are wasting your money on a fake product.
In addition, some products can look authentic at first glance but actually use aftermarket parts. While this doesn't seem like such a big deal, it can affect the product's longevity after purchase and its extended warranty.
When you buy an electronic device in person, it is possible to inspect its authenticity first. In addition, some authorized retail stores sell only factory refurbished devices which ensures that the device has been tested for authenticity and quality before a sale.
3. Special In-Store Discounts
Just like online stores, brick-and-mortar stores still have the costs of warehousing, shipping, and handling. But they also have to manage their in-store space and their inventory.
For this reason, it is in the best interest of retailers to sell older models of electronics as soon as possible. In turn, they can offer a better deal in-store than online.
4. Credit Card Promotions, Discounts, and Installments
Credit card companies have been trying to reinvent themselves in the last few years, offering a host of new incentives. With credit cards, you can get cash back on select purchases, gain access to special installment options or exclusive discounts.
In addition, many credit card companies also offer increased percentages on your rewards for making larger purchases or purchasing specific items from partner retailers. You can even gain points which you can use for things like travel, food vouchers, and so on.
5. Return or Exchange Policies
If you're like most people, you've probably had to return or exchange an electronic item at some point in your life. Unlike some electronics sold online, most electronics sold in person will be covered by a warranty, so if there is any damage or any sort of malfunction with your product, you can easily return it and get a replacement.
In general, brick and mortar stores offer more lenient return policies for electronics. For example, some shops often offer extended return deadlines for electronics or even let you return products without receipts.
Compared to online shopping, there are also fewer chances for buyers to mistakenly purchase the wrong product, so in-store retailers typically handle less quantity for return or exchange. In fact, retailers also save money from the costs of shipping the device to their service centers if you bring it directly to their service center or store.
Aside from being able to quickly validate your purchase, you can also be present when they inspect the product for any damages. Because retailers find it difficult to determine whether an electronic item was damaged before, during, or after shipping, items purchased online can be harder to refund.
6. Evaluating a Product in Person
Many people prefer the in-person experience because they like to see and touch their products before buying them. This is especially true when making high ticket purchases.
When you're spending a good amount of money on a product, the tangible aspect of seeing an item in-person is a satisfying part of the shopping experience. For example, reading about a 32-inch curved monitor or a fancy new camera doesn't have the same excitement as testing it out for yourself in person.
In fact, part of the fun of shopping for electronics is holding it in your hand for the first time, measuring its size, and visualizing how it fits into your home or office.
Not to mention, buying in-person also lets you inspect the unboxing process in the presence of a staff member. With this, you can easily validate if a device was not working properly or was already damaged out of the box with little contest.
7. Support Local Workers
When buying a product in-store, the best option is often to go with a salesman or saleswoman who can help you with your purchase. While they typically try to get you to spend more money, they can also help you find what fits your needs the best.
Initially, you may have your eyes set on a particular model, but your local electronics staff member may have a better idea for alternative options.
8. Instant Gratification
Despite many people touting online shopping as the peak of instant gratification, many lovers of in-person retail shopping beg to differ. When buying electronics in-store, there's no need to wait for next-day delivery because you'll be taking it home as soon as you pay for it.
Aside from this, you also protect yourself from the disappointment of waiting for a product to come in the mail and finding out someone stole it on the way to you.
Try Buying Electronics Offline
While online shopping has become the norm, there's something special about buying a shiny, new piece of technology in person. So, if you're dying to get your hands on the device of dreams, you may have a better overall experience by adding to the cart in person, instead of online.