Online shopping websites offer many advantages, such as convenience, lower prices, and a larger selection of products. However, there are also hidden costs when it comes to online shopping that must be taken into account. As much as you’d love to buy that brand new pair of shoes for vacation, it is important to research the full cost of any item before making an online purchase to ensure you are getting the best deal.
Online shopping websites have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their convenience and the wide variety of products available (we love you, Amazon!) Honestly, it’s just plain easier to shop online than it is to visit stores in person. By shopping online, customers have access to a larger selection of products from all over the world and can compare prices from various retailers quickly and easily.
Read more: 5 Affordable Italian Fashion Brands for Everyone’s Budget
Plus, many online shopping websites often offer discounts and sales that are not available in their brick-and-mortar stores, which can make online purchases more affordable. You also don’t have to deal with long lines or crowds at stores, which can make shopping so much more enjoyable!
The hidden costs of online shopping can be difficult to identify, though, as they are not always immediately apparent. These costs are typically outlined in the fine print of a website’s terms and conditions or in other sections that a consumer may not think to read. Don’t worry, we’ll help you out with some of these hidden fees and risks so that you can make the most out of your online shopping experience!
Shipping and Handling Fees With Online Shopping Websites
Shipping and handling fees are charges that cover the costs of delivering goods to customers. These fees can include the cost of packaging materials, labor costs associated with packing and shipping the goods, and the cost of postage or other shipping fees. In some cases, these fees may also include a small percentage to help cover the seller’s overhead costs, such as storage space. Shipping and handling fees are typically added to the cost of goods purchased online or through mail order catalogs.
When buying items online, shipping and handling fees can quickly add up. For example, if you buy a book for $20 and the shipping and handling fee is $4, you would end up spending a total of $24. If you then added another book for $20 with a shipping and handling fee of $4, your total would jump to $48. If you added a third book for $20 with a shipping and handling fee of $4, your total would jump to $72. As you can see, these fees can quickly add up and have a significant impact on the total cost of an order.
Strategies to Avoid Shipping and Handling Fees
- Shop at a store that offers free shipping.
- Shop online for retailers that are offering free shipping promotions for a limited time.
- Become a member of a loyalty program. Many stores offer free or discounted shipping for members.
- Buy in bulk. Some retailers offer free shipping for orders over a certain amount.
- Choose ground or economy shipping instead of overnight or express.
- Use coupon codes or promotional discounts to get free shipping.
- Look for online marketplaces, such as Etsy or eBay, where sellers may offer free shipping on their products.
- Have your purchase shipped to a store near you and pick it up there.
- Ask the retailer if they offer a price adjustment for shipping and handling fees if you find the same product for a lower price elsewhere.
Return Shipping Fees
Return shipping fees are the costs associated with returning a product to online shopping websites or merchants. They are assessed as a fee for the cost of shipping the item back to the retailer. The fee is usually incurred at the customer’s expense, but some retailers may offer free shipping when returning items. Return shipping fees can vary depending on the retailer’s policies, the type of product being shipped and the distance it needs to travel for the return.
So, how can return shipping fees be costly? Well for one, if a customer purchases a product online and is unhappy with it, they may choose to return the product for a refund. However, in many cases, the customer is responsible for paying the return shipping fees, which can be costly depending on the size and weight of the item. Also, many businesses charge customers a restocking fee when they choose to return an item. This fee is usually a percentage of the item’s purchase price and is used to cover the cost of shipping the item back to the store.
In some cases, many top online shopping websites may use expensive specialty carriers when they ship items back to customers. This can result in high return shipping fees that are passed on to the customer. In addition, many online retailers offer free shipping on purchases but charge a fee for return shipping. This fee can be expensive and can add up if the customer is returning multiple items.
Strategies to Avoid Return Shipping Fees
- Choose a Store with Free Returns: Many online shopping websites offer free return shipping, while others may offer store credit for returned items. Check the store’s return policy before purchasing to ensure you won’t be charged a fee for returning an item.
- Negotiate for Free Returns: If you’re shopping at a store that does charge for return shipping, see if you can negotiate for free returns. Many stores will be willing to waive the fee as a way to keep customers happy.
- Request a Refund for Shipping Costs: If you’ve purchased an item from an online store and need to return it, some retailers will refund the cost of shipping on returns. Contact customer service to see if you’re eligible for a refund.
- Use a Return Shipping Service: Many services such as USPS, UPS, and FedEx offer postage-paid return labels. You can print the label at home and return the package at any of the carrier’s drop-off locations.
- Sign up for a Store’s Loyalty Program: If a store offers a loyalty program, potential members may receive free return shipping if they join. Additionally, some loyalty programs may include additional perks such as discounted shipping fees or discounts on future orders.
Environmental Costs
Online shopping has quite a few environmental costs associated with it. Most notably, online shopping increases the carbon footprint and energy consumption associated with the production and transport of goods. Online shopping websites require energy to power servers and other computer systems, and the delivery of packages adds to energy use and emissions from cars and planes. Additionally, because of the packaging materials and shipping containers used for online purchases, there is a large amount of waste associated with online shopping, which can end up in landfills or pollute our air, land, and water. Finally, online shopping can reduce the number of people visiting physical stores and buying locally, which can have a detrimental effect on local economies.
Strategies to Reduce the Environmental Impact of Online Shopping
- Choose eco-friendly packaging such as recycled materials, biodegradable materials, and cardboard shipping boxes instead of plastic bags and Styrofoam peanuts.
- Select retailers that offer carbon-neutral shipping options, meaning they offset their emissions with renewable energy sources or carbon credits.
- Choose slower and less resource-intensive shipping methods like media mail or ground instead of air freight.
- Choose retailers that send digital receipts rather than paper receipts, and opt out of paper catalogs when possible.
- Shop local stores whenever possible to eliminate the need for shipping altogether.
- Reuse packaging materials whenever possible, such as bubble wrap, foam, packing peanuts, etc.
- Buy reused, refurbished, and/or second-hand items as much as possible.
- Recycle electronics and other products responsibly when they reach the end of their life.
Cybersecurity Risks
Online shopping always carries a range of cybersecurity risks that can potentially harm both customers and businesses. These risks include identity theft, malicious software, phishing scams, malware, and website vulnerabilities. Identity theft occurs when someone steals a customer’s personal information, such as their name, address, credit card number, and other sensitive information. Malicious software, such as viruses and spyware, can infect a customer’s computer in order to gain access to the personal information stored on it.
Phishing scams involve malicious emails that appear to come from legitimate companies in order to trick customers into revealing sensitive information, such as usernames and passwords. Website vulnerabilities are flaws in an online store’s security system, which can expose customer data to hackers or allow malicious attacks. It is important for businesses to implement strong cybersecurity measures in order to protect themselves and their customers from these risks.
Strategies to Reduce Cybersecurity Risks When Using Online Shopping Websites
- Use secure payment options: When shopping online, make sure to use a secure and private payment option, such as PayPal or a credit card with extra security features.
- Check the retailer’s reviews and ratings: Do research on the online store you are purchasing from and read customer feedback. This can help you determine if the website is legitimate and trustworthy before making a purchase.
- Use strong passwords: Make sure to use strong passwords when creating accounts on online stores. Avoid using common words and phrases that someone could easily guess.
- Keep your software up to date: Make sure the software and browsers you use to shop online are updated. Outdated software is easier to hack.
- Use online shopping websites starting with “https”: Sites that start with “https” are more secure than those that start with “http,” as they encrypt your data.
- Avoid public Wi-Fi: Whenever possible, avoid using public Wi-Fi when shopping online. Hackers can access unsecured networks and gain access to your personal data.
- Look for the padlock symbol: When an online retailer uses encryption technology, you’ll often see a padlock symbol at the end of the URL. This symbol indicates an added layer of security.
- Monitor your credit card statements: Regularly monitor your credit card statements to ensure no unauthorized purchases were made.
- Use two-step authentication: Many online sites offer two-step authentication—a combination of a password and a one-time code sent to your device. This adds an extra layer of security.
Online shopping websites are an easy and convenient way to buy products and services, but it’s important to be aware of the hidden costs. Shipping fees, return policies, and other additional charges can add up quickly and reduce your savings. Knowing the true cost of an item will help you determine if online shopping is the best option for you. So, make sure to research the online retailer, read reviews, and understand their return policy before you make a purchase. So, shop smart, and start saving money!
WANT TO READ MORE?
Check out 22 Of The Best Amazon Gift Ideas To Make Shopping Easy
CONNECT WITH DAILY MOM
💖 NEWSLETTER: DAILY READS IN YOUR INBOX 💖
Sign up to receive our picks for the best things to do, see and buy so you can relax and focus on more important tasks! Let us help you be the best version of yourself you can be!
BE SOCIAL WITH US
📌 LOVE IT? PIN IT!📌
