| Online vs Offline |
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So you are in the hunt for a TV Stand, huh? Trying to determine whether you should make the purchase online or at your local retailer can sometimes be a difficult one. Both have some great benefits, but also some downsides to them. Buying anything online, you are typically looking at cheaper prices. Why? Well, it pretty well all boils down to overhead. At Best Buy or Wal-mart these companies are still essentially paying for shipping. These items are pre-shipped from the manufacturers through wholesalers and eventually to retailers. The same process applies if you are buying online, but instead of the retail stores having to hire people to stock the shelves with these items, they can simply remain at the wholesalers storage facility and be shipped after every order is made directly to the buyer. Therefore, fewer people being involved in the process typically means less overhead and lower prices to the consumer. When buying from a retailer you get to see the product. Anyone who buys online regularly has probably experienced the dreadful packaging that some online stores offer. In fact, it was not too long ago that I received a brand new video card that looked as though it had been used as a soccer ball for a few hours before putting it into the delivery truck. At a store, you able to physically the size, the durability, and other factors you want to be able to see first hand. More importantly, you can see the condition of the item. Luckily, most reputable companies online will be willing to work with you to get the replacement. However, on occasion it can be a difficult process. I would recommend that you only buy from companies that you have heard of before. Another good factor to buying at a local retailer store is that you receive the item immediately. Everyone in the United States today, including myself, does not want to wait. There have many of fast food drive-thru employee’s that have had the opportunity to smell my exhaust system on my car. Well, to put it simply, I do not like waiting. Buying at a local retailer, you can walk in one minute and a little while later be setting up your new TV stand at home. In essence, if you are trying to make the tough call, do whatever it is that meets your needs best. If you are missing your favorite TV shows every night because you are missing a TV stand, then it might just be better to spend a little bit more to get one right away. Everyone knows how missing one episode of Lost can mess you up for the rest of the season! However, if you are in no hurry, save a few bucks and buy it from a well-known online retailer. |