ST. PETERS, Mo. - Oct. 17, 2019 - Shopping Dilemma: Buy online or In-Store?
Most people shop online because of convenience. That combined with the huge selections available, it's easy to understand why people shop online.
There's also the advantage of competitive pricing & you're sure to find something you want in almost any price range. Most feature a "discount" from the manufacturer's suggested retail pricing or a "comparative" pricing.
Last but not least, you don't have to leave your home. No crowds, no pressure.
As online sales continue to increase, so too will the frustrations according to Joseph Tubbs. Mr. Tubbs is the owner of Midwest Clearance Center Furniture and Mattress (MCC). For 16 years, both Joseph and Co-owner, Jonathon Tubbs, have witnessed the highs & lows of the retail industry.
More & more retail stores are closing shop due to eCommerce. MCC is more determined than ever to stay local. Supporting the communities & providing jobs to those in the area in which they live are of the utmost importance to the Tubbs' Brothers.
Online fraud is another concern with online shopping. Credit card scams, hacking, identity theft, counterfeit products & fake websites are just a few risks. Then there's also the leap of faith you are taking when you don't know exactly what you are getting. Once you receive the item, it may not look or have the quality the photo & description claimed.
When it comes to pricing, the brick & mortar stores are very competitive with online pricing. The special "discounts" can be found everywhere the same product is being sold.
Furniture companies are notorious for poor customer service. Items get lost, detoured, damaged, or delivered to the wrong address frequently. If you have a damaged item or are interested in a return, this can get complicated. When you don't have a sales consultant to answer questions, you may experience buyer's regret. Making a blind purchase is one of the biggest mistakes that online customers cite. Some of the other common complaints are issues with measurements, confusing shipping options & unclear return policies.
Finally, let's talk reviews. You may be amazed & appalled at what you find from many well known retailers & manufacturers. You can waste hours reading fake reviews. Third party sites using special software get huge kickbacks from the retailers for hyping up their product with false or misleading information.
When buying furniture online it is strongly recommended you research both the manufacturer & retailer. Evaluate pictures & descriptions. Keep in most online retailers spend a lot of money on professional photographers. The alternative option would be to stop into any of the 5 MCC locations. There all of your questions & more will be answered.
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