| Everyday, thousands of consumers are comparing | | | | shopping. That is, you actually have to wait a day or |
| prices and buying products online to satisfy their wants, | | | | two before you can actually receive the products. But, |
| needs and desires. It has become a way of life for | | | | what if you can get the same pair of shoes online for |
| many. Experts are now asking themselves and | | | | half the price? The fact is that comparison shopping |
| wondering why the appeal for online shopping is | | | | on the internet can save you thousands of dollars per |
| suddenly evolving into a new trend. A recent Forrester | | | | year. The reason why it's cheaper online is that online |
| study of online comparison shopping asked several | | | | retailers do not have to mark up the products 100% |
| hundred consumers why they shop online and the | | | | like the retailers do because they don't have sales |
| results were not surprising: bargains and convenience. | | | | agents to pay, an electricity bill, or the rental fees to the |
| These two reasons coupled with thousands of online | | | | mall. Comparison shopping is really a no brainer for |
| comparison shopping services are making the case for | | | | those consumers who are looking to save some |
| an Internet revolution that will benefit the value | | | | serious coin. |
| conscious consumer. Here are a few reasons why | | | | The People Factor |
| online comparison shopping works. | | | | So, who really wants to sit behind a computer screen |
| Stress Free Transactions | | | | shopping online by yourself while Carpal Tunnel |
| How many times have you been standing in line at the | | | | Syndrome begins to grow in your wrists? The fact of |
| mall somewhere debating with yourself about whether | | | | the matter is that even though we live in high speed |
| or not you actually need the pair of shoes you are | | | | world where everyone is connected by email, instant |
| holding? The internal debate isn't necessarily about the | | | | messaging and chat, we still want and need human |
| cost or the color of the shoes. No, it's more about you | | | | interaction. It's important for our self being to be around |
| not wanting to wait in the horrific long line for the $60 | | | | others and engage in conversations. No, this is not a |
| pair of shoes. Sounds too familiar, doesn't it? | | | | contradiction to earlier statements made, but rather the |
| What about the parking fiasco when you arrived at | | | | introduction of an awesome innovation that is taking |
| the mall? Perhaps you are still irritated with the person | | | | online comparison shopping to the next level. |
| who cut in front of you and stole that first row space | | | | Now, imagine yourself at the mall again looking at the |
| in the parking lot, which caused you to park more than | | | | same pair of shoes that you desperately want and |
| a mile away. Suddenly, your trip to the mall doesn't | | | | need; and then noticing that horrific line. What if you |
| seem to be giving you what you expected. | | | | were to dial a phone number, punch in the barcode of |
| These are just a few reasons why online comparison | | | | the shoes and wait for a few seconds while a |
| shopping is taking off. It's easy, convenient and you can | | | | database will search the internet to see where you |
| buy exactly the same thing online as you can at the | | | | can buy them cheaper? A computerized voice will |
| mall. It's a stress free transaction that allows you to | | | | then confirm the name of the product and provide the |
| make purchases online and from the comfort of your | | | | product's price on and/or Yahoo! Shopping, whichever |
| own home. | | | | is cheaper. You can then bookmark that product, go to |
| Instant Gratification, or Not? | | | | a website and pay for it later. |
| We currently live in a world where drive-thru | | | | Yes, it's here and it's called Frucall. Frucall is a free |
| restaurants dominate every street corner; high-speed | | | | phone-based price-comparison shopping service for |
| internet is growing rapidly and microwave ovens. We | | | | consumers to compare prices and purchase products |
| are a society that thrives and operates on instant | | | | using their cell phones, anywhere, anytime. Frucall |
| gratification. But, there needs to be a point where you | | | | blends the benefits of in-store shopping with the |
| have to wonder what that frozen roast beef dinner or | | | | flexible nature of shopping online; providing consumers |
| Big Mac is really doing to your internal organs. | | | | with a unique mobile shopping experience. |
| This is one disadvantage of online comparison | | | | |