Online shopping has come of age today and if there is a product that can be even thought of, it will be available online. With babyT everything that I ever used or made him wear has been bought online. In fact, I think if I ever walked into a brick and mortar store for kids-wear I wouldn’t have a clue how to shop. This took me back to his newborn days where I was drowning in all my hormonal swirls and being a breastfed baby meant I couldn’t really be away from babyT for long periods of time. At times like these, it was online shopping that saved the day for me.
Shopping online for kids-wear especially has been a blessing because it is super convenient, offers an unimaginable variety of clothes, facilitates comparison as per whatever criteria you have for selection and the cherry on the cake is the exemplary customer service that the e-retailers offer.
Convenience
Oh, the convenience of online shopping. I don’t need to dress up and drive and park and trudge up and down the mall floors and go from store to store to find what I am looking for. Add to that the thought of a toddler who a) refuses to get dressed b) Needs to be accompanied with a big bag of diapers, wipes, water, snacks etc. c) will only drive me insane running amok all around the store.
I can shop online in my pyjamas, with bed hair, while I sip away my morning cuppa and keep adding to the cart and finally check out at night when all is settled in this household.
All I would have to do is wait for the delivery driver to turn up with my parcels! Online shopping just makes life that little bit easier, especially if you can’t find a day free to go into town. But I do feel sorry for drivers around the busy periods like Christmas. Everyone expects their items to arrive on time and sometimes we forget that it’s just not possible if everyone has placed orders on the same day. I know how bad it can be because a friend of mine used to drive trucks for companies,delivering parcels. He mentioned that he would check how many hours he was driving daily due to the length of time he was on the road. He also said how trucks are now fitted with ELD devices to help truck drivers check their hours of service. If you are going to be on the road this winter as a driver for a company, you may want to look into this review to help you understand the use of these products and the benefits it can have for you and your vehicle. It is very important to think about the people who help make online shopping a reality for us. Without drivers like these, we would actually have to leave the house! Sounds way better than a day at the mall to me, don’t you think?
Variety
The online retail space offers a one-stop shop for everything you could possibly need. For instance, you can buy Indian wear or western wear, silk pajamas or party wear, clothes, and matching shoes and accessories. All this under one roof, or website rather. Don’t take my word for it, go check all the categories on offer at an online store – literally everything from A to Z.
I don’t think I know of any mall outlets that can offer all these and that too for multiple brands.
Comparison
Online shopping sites use algorithms and software to make searching for your dream product easier than clicking your fingers. All you have to do is tick the right boxes from a drop-down menu for options like age, size, colour, price range, discounts, brand names and more. You can really narrow down the search to find that one product you are looking for. This is way easier than looking for kids wear in a store.
Quality
Gone are the days when online shopping meant not being sure of what would turn up on your doorstep. Any brand that is conscious of their image and wants to survive and be profitable knows that they cannot compromise on quality. So the brands available to online retailers to collaborate with and stock on their website have also multiplied manifold. You as a customer ultimately benefit because you are assured of great quality products at competitive prices.
Return policy
The only downside of buying clothes online is that you don’t get to try them on first. And honestly, even when you do visit a store chances are your toddler will bring the roof down before you can convince him to try on a new outfit. With this being said, there are some companies who allow you to ‘try before you buy’, so even if there are items you purchased that were too small or you just changed your mind,there is always this option to fall back on. Plus, the customer service for online purchases can be good too, as there are many routes you can go down to find the help you need.
While most sizes are standardized and if you have used a particular brand once you can follow the size guide for future purchases, there are still times when you feel a product is just not hitting the happiness quotient.
Well, even that is taken care of with a no questions asked returns policy. Most online stores treat the customer as King (or Queen) and have a very open policy of accepting products back if you retain the tags. The process of return is also simple and hassle-free. You just have to log in and select the products from your past orders and check the “return/ exchange” option. Online stores like Myntra even arrange to have the product picked up promptly and process the returns in a very timely manner.
Some other points why I love online shopping –
With all these guarantees and variety it is not surprising that online shopping has become so popular today. And it is serious retail therapy too. I get instant gratification for when I am feeling the need to splurge on new clothes for babyT. When I was in my Cloth Diaper hoarding phase and I needed a bug and butterflies themed T-shirt to go with his new bug print diaper, it was only online shopping that saved my day. I cannot even imagine going to ten different retail stores and asking them for a T-shirt with bugs on it. They would have just looked at me funny!
And lastly when has an outing to the mall to shop been just that. You also need to dine out, spend some time in the soft play area, eat extra calories in the form of dessert, give in to impulsive shopping and buy tin foil balloons which in 4 out of 5 cases will limp up before the car ride home ends. So save yourself the time, money and effort and shop online.
I really prefer online shopping too. It’s so nice to avoid the crazy crowds and shop from home all comfy in your pjs (like you mentioned).
I buy as much stuff online as I can. I hate traipsing into the stores sometimes, especially now that it’s winter here.
I still shop mostly in the stores but I am starting to shop on-line slowly. I just hate the back and forth with returns but I know I will be doing more and more on-line in the future too.
During the holidays, I’d much rather shop online than to deal with the massive crowds of people.
I love shopping online and myntra is one of my fav with the wide options they provide my wardrobe is maximum from myntra
I totally agree with you on this one! Kids are tough to shop with especially if you’re shopping for more than one and you take them all to the mall. It’s definitely easier online since you don’t have to leave the house and deal with all the fuss that comes with it.
Since I had kids I basically stopped enjoying shopping in stores. Online shopping is the way to go, especially with great return policies!
I haven’t shopped online for clothes much. I am terrified of having to return things because I am bad at sizing but it is so convenient and you have me motivated to try again and be patient!
I love shopping online for the little one too! Thank you for the detailed post on online shopping!
I am a big fan of online shopping. It is not only convenient but you also get some great deals online. The exchange and return policy make it all worth it.
I am a full time online shopper..for the whole family. Its so hassel free and much more convenient…
I love that we are able to shop from the comfort of our own homes. The return policies are usually very generous and helpful for those pieces that jus didn’t work out liked I’d hope!
After making a few purchases online and being burned by return policies I try to only shop at places where I know make it easy to return or exchange items. No one likes to return an item only to lose half your money in restocking fees.
I love the ability to compare immediately instead of running from store to store. The Interwebs is pretty awesome!
Girl, you and me both! I love online shopping and it makes it so much easier than dragging 4 kids out with me.
You have just about hit the nail on the head. Of course online shopping is the solution to many many problems. I will add it is particularly helpful in cities other than the metros.The malls in these cities don’t have the stuff on offer at online stores.
I’m honestly not much of an online shopper, but there are a few sites where I like to buy clothes for my kids. One of my top favorite sites is Zulily.
I don’t shop for my clothes often online but it is definitely an amazing option when it comes to my kiddies. I agree that the variety is always greater . .
I am a big fan of online shopping. I do a lot of local shopping here in our town, but whatever I can’t find here I get online.
I am a keep online shopper. For my son I have lots of stuff online including cloths as well. Other than getting many option and convenience of buying with just a few clicks, online shopping saves my energy that I have to spend in keeping my son entertained if I am inside any store. Loved this post.
While i love shopping in the store the prospect of taking my toddler with his bag and essentials and then running amok as you said can be a big deterrent. I agree online shopping saves mums time effort energy and certainly money.
I love online shopping too! My two year old daughter is so tough in stores and I really would much rather avoid that experience if I need something specific.
Living in a small city and a market hub like Kanpur, I prefer real shopping than virtual one as I always get better deals. Except for things which are difficult to buy/ find for which i resort to online shopping
I too prefer shopping online. There are great deals at times that save a few bucks too. Nice post.
Exactly the reasons why I love online shopping 🙂 It is so convenient.
I think we are in the era where online shopping is keeping many of us parents sane. What I love most about online shopping apart from the points that you have mentioned are the quick delivery and delivery planner. I just love shopping online for my baby.
Ditto! I hate the traffic, parking woes, crowded trial rooms, queue at billing. Online shopping is saviour
Agree with all the points. During early days of motherhood, online shopping is the best option for a new mum.
I agree with everything Tara but mostly with the convenience of being at home and finding so many things to shop for! I love online shopping.
Since one of my #PassionProjects is shopping for my 4 sons and my daughter, I have to be honest, shopping online is my favorite shopping method.
Great post.Thanks for sharing such an informative post.
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