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Shopping l Pad Patter 11.16

bellbird

bellbird

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I have officially started Christmas shopping, thanks to online sales & actually it started with me buying myself some 'real' (read: paper ) scrapbook/card making stuff that was like 60% off (I'm calling it a birthday present) & then falling down a rabbit hole of other sales.
And I used to think online shopping was efficient but when I'm just browsing with no specific gift ideas in mind, I think it takes me as long as real life shopping (minus the car park issues). Half the time I see potential gift things though, add them to the cart & then remove them again, thinking 'no, the hassle of sending it back if it's not quite what I think it is, just isn't worth it' which brings me to my question for you today:

Is there anything you won't buy online? Or is there anything you bought that was really not what you expected once it was delivered?
 
I never purchase clothing, eyeglasses or shoes online. I need to try them all on to make sure they fit. We're trying to downsize so getting more stuff right now isn't top priority, but I wouldn't mind receiving some sewing supplies that I need - like a dressmaker's dummy!
 
My daughter and I always forget to check dimensions when shopping online. We bought a "mini" backpack that was teeny tiny recently when it showed up and decided to return it. Oops!
 
I like to use Amazon's wish lists. I add gift ideas for the kids and DH to their lists. And I have a list for myself so I can either copy/paste links to my mom/MIL or I can email the whole list. Anyway, that helps stop me from the whole "in/out" cart issue. :)

As for what I won't buy...I think I mentioned this before but I won't buy perishables, like fruit/veggies. I've heard too many bad stories from people in my area. Otherwise I've purchased a lot online. I think all of my holiday shopping has been online (a book for SIL was delivered today lol). One thing I get leery about is Blu-Rays/DVDs. I like to buy the combo pack with the digital code: that way we have two versions of the physical copy plus the digital version for tablets or whatever. Lately it seems that Amazon thinks it's okay to ship a small plastic case in a bubble envelope without any extra padding (and have you looked in a DVD case lately? It isn't even solid plastic!). I've had like 3 DVDs cracked/scratched and had to return them. The latest one I just threw out the DVD version. I just hate going to UPS to send it back.
 
I used to think I'd never buy clothes or shoes online because it's important to try them on for size and feel the fabric. But nowadays it's usually easy to return stuff. And I've returned a lot of things over the years. I don't like to though, so I don't buy online a lot.

I still haven't bought groceries online, although I've bought a few packaged food products over the years. I'm not opposed to buying groceries online, I just haven't tried it yet nor do I feel the desire to do it. I don't mind shopping at my local store.

I'm having to think really hard to try to come up with something I would not buy online. A pet maybe?

As for things not turning out as I expected, surely that has happened, but I can't think of an example at the moment.
 
I've bought just about everything on Amazon. As long as it's "Prime", I can return or exchange it if it doesn't work. I'm an Amazon freak - I hate to go out and shop anymore, because I rarely find what I'm looking for.
 
Sunglasses. I am so particular and it takes me forever to find a pair. I have to try on hundreds before I decide.
 
I think returning items to amazon is more of a hassle here in Canada so I don’t order anything I’m not sure I’d want to keep like clothes.
 
IntenseMagic said:
Sunglasses. I am so particular and it takes me forever to find a pair. I have to try on hundreds before I decide.
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i have several pairs and just stick to the same basic oversized shape - if they are the Cancer Council brand and polarised and on sale, I can buy them without risk or guilt! (One of few things i can say that about!)
 
Cherylndesigns said:
I'm an Amazon freak
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:rofl i hope the Naming Fairy doesn't read that, it's a phrase that could stick but i love it! We only just got Amazon in Oz and I can't say I've used it yet - it doesn't seem any better than other local sites to me so I'm not an Amazon freak myself...yet!
 
michelepixels said:
A pet maybe?

As for things not turning out as I expected, surely that has happened, but I can't think of an example at the moment.
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We have friends who picked out a puppy from a litter online - had to wait til the puppy was so many weeks old before picking it up etc and when they went, she tried to sell them a different puppy (different gender and colouring) and said "no that's not the one you 'ordered' " as it had been 'ordered' by someone else - they ended up with the dog they asked for originally because their kid was with them and they went into tantrum and crying mode - if the mum had done that i don't know if the result would have been the same but it worked!
 
umyesh said:
We bought a "mini" backpack that was teeny tiny recently
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exactly what i'm talking about! so i ordered some earrings for myself and thought they were pretty big hoops, turned out more like sleepers - size matters!
 
I prefer to buy locally, but if I can't do that or make myself, then I'll buy online. I still try when buying online to go with a British Company that pays taxes rather than an International Company that avoids paying taxes with dodgy but legal accounting (like Amazon etc).
 
I've started to think about Christmas shopping - and am scoping out sneak peeks for Black Friday deals - mostly online. I know I've purchased things online and had them be very different than what I was expecting but I'm drawing a blank as to what at the moment.

I'll buy shoes from places like Zappos bc they have free shipping and free returns. Usually it's just boots or athletic shoes. I'll buy tops/sweaters online - but pants I usually need to try on. I think perishables is the big one for me too. I hate grocery shopping but what I hate even more is having someone else pick out my groceries for me. I did it when I lived out west - and often had products delivered that were expiring in a day. Yuck!

I 2nd @Tree City 's comment about Amazon shipping. It has really gone downhill. Way too many of my items lately are coming in huge boxes with one air filled packing packet - leaving containers to break, spill out on other items and ruining everything, or just arriving damaged. I always get a refund or new package - but what a hassle. Ship it with proper packing the 1st time. I still use them - just wish they would pack more securely!
 
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I have bought clothing, but from LL Bean, not Amazon. Amazon is my go-to for DH's vinyl record albums, books, office supplies that I can't find in town. I have had to return books to Amazon because they figure they can send you a book that is bent & folded when it is supposed to be new. I'm fanatical about my books, never turn down a page corner, never flex the binding, etc... I do buy supplements on-line (not Amazon). I also buy almond flour & coconut flour on-line as they are available in larger packaging and so much cheaper than anything I can get locally.
 
bellbird said:
:rofl i hope the Naming Fairy doesn't read that, it's a phrase that could stick but i love it! We only just got Amazon in Oz and I can't say I've used it yet - it doesn't seem any better than other local sites to me so I'm not an Amazon freak myself...yet!
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:rofl:rofl
 
I just bought 2 pounds of Fresno peppers online from Amazon - something I thought I'd never do! My husband wanted me to make hot sauce in my Instant Pot and I couldn't find the peppers here for a good price. I was so worried that they would be all mushy or moldy when they arrived but I was wrong. They were beautiful and bright red and the hot sauce turned out perfectly. So he says anyway. I don't use it!
web_HotSauce.jpg
 
I buy just about anything and everything online. Clothing, shoes, most of my Vera Bradley things, tickets for everything - theater, concerts, airlines, hotel rooms, vacation rental condos. I'll admit, that some things are the wrong size and need to be returned, but that happens if I go to a store and don't try them on, too.
 
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