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Remember the late 1990s, when the Internet boom was in full swing? Everyone was predicting we’d soon be shopping for everything from dog food to cars in our pajamas, and we’d never leave the house.
They were partially right. We still leave the house to go shopping, just perhaps not as frequently as we used to.
Fifty-eight percent of Americans go online to research products and services they are considering purchasing, according to a survey released Wednesday by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project. That’s up from 49 percent in 2004.
Jim Jansen, a senior fellow with the Pew Research Center, said the data show more people are going online first to do things like compare prices or read reviews, even if they end up making the purchase in a brick-and-mortar store.
The survey also found that 24 percent of Americans had posted reviews or comments of products and services online.
More people are also making their final purchases online. The Pew researchers said 52 percent of Americans were purchasing products online as of May 2010, up from 36 percent in May of 2000.
It turns out, there are no gender differences in e-commerce. The researchers said men and women do online research at similar rates.
There are other demographic differences between those who hit the keyboard to research a new refrigerator, and those who hit the appliance store.
The more money people make, the more likely they are to do online shopping research. The researchers said 88 percent of Internet users with a household income of $75,000 or more were using the Internet to research purchases, compared with 67 percent of those who make $30,000 or less.
Internet users over age 65 do much less online product research than younger adults who are online, the researchers found. In addition, African-Americans who use the Internet are much less likely to researche purchases online than whites or Hispanics who use the Internet, according to the Pew survey.
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I buy all of my music CD's on line, usually used, at Amazon. You have people who have reviewed to music, and the selection is as big as the world. I collect Jimi Hendrix and got a DVD bootleg of his show (18 songs) from Rainbow Bridge from England for $15.00. I haven't bought a CD from a local store in years.
Just ordered something from Home Depot I couldn't get in my town. Nearest Home Depot is about 60 miles away. Home Depot charged about $7.50 to ship. I couldn't drive there and back for $7.50. Have to wait a couple of days to get item but that's okay.
All my shopping, except for groceries, is done online. I finished my Christmas shopping already. Got the lowest prices on the exact items I wanted. No matter what the size, color, fabric, you name it, it's all at our fingertips. The internet is truly a world marketplace. Love that ebay!!!!
yeah! i agree!! i love ebay too!!! online is the way to go.many times i can beat the stores prices and get things that are not available to me here at a fraction of the cost.so go pick up that mouse and shop!
I love ebay too! But you have to be careful on the prices. I've found that many times, Places like Amazon or other retailers online have had cheaper prices than ebay for the same "new in box" product. Often, even if the price is the same or close, the shipping on ebay is more.
Especially great shopping bargains on "Cyber-Monday", this yr Nov 29th. Mark your calendars and call in sick that day!!
Online is great for many products. We even sell a lot of our pet treats on our store www.onestaorganics.com.
Not surprising that older people don't research that much online, the younger generation just grows up with the computer and internet.
Here in the current Communistwealth of Virginia it is the only way of striking back at the oppressive taxes, in particularly 'Sales Taxes'. Yea for the Internet!
I do most of my shopping online, because there is better selection, and more choices and brands,....stores like walmart once had veriatys of products, now they have only one or possibly two brands for each item, gone are the days when you had real choices.
It's not surprising to me that people with lower incomes generally do not shop/research online as much. Sadly, people with lower incomes generally have less education than their higher earning peers. It simply may not occur to them to look for the lowest price online before buying, or they may not have the computer skills and access to do so. Sorry for sounding elitist... I do think it's sad, but I also believe it's the simple truth: smarter people are smarter shoppers.
Lots of those lower income folks can't afford computers and/or the skills. There are classes to help, but most people are out there making a living. Sad...........
People with lower incomes does NOT equal having less of an education. In this defunct economy, people with masters degree's are earning $5.15/hr at McDonalds unable to get a job in their field. So, based on your statement of "people with lower incomes generally have less education" That person earning $5.15/hr is extremely stupid...
We must be neanderthals in comparison to you KDem...
Maybe you should get your head out of where the sun doesn't shine, and actually THINK about why people who earn less generally do not research online... Here's a couple of scenario's that I worked out in the 5 minutes it took me to post this.
1. Single Parent Raising Kids, can't afford computer or internet. (I know several people like this, I actually gave one mother a computer for her kids so they can do school work).
2. Family with one income, going back to point #1, trying to raise a family on one income is nearly impossible now a days unless that 1 income is at least $60,000 and that is really close, depending on the size of the household.
So, for such "Elitists" I can imagine it being a hard concept to grasp, people not making enough to make ends meet... Let alone having a computer, which on the cheap side: a desktop can run $250-$2,500, and the internet $50/month... Some families can't afford that. GET THAT THROUGH YOUR ELITIST HEAD...
I'll admit, I use the Internet more than I should. BUT I still make time for taking the great outdoors. I think that it's only a problem if you start to become isolated. Couple hours on the computer and time spent reading a book, relaxing, walking, etc. is alright in my books.
If you want decent CD's, ordering online is almost the only current option. Most stores that used to offer a wide selection of CD's went out of business or have drastically limited their selection to pop 40.
If you want decent CD's, ordering online is almost the only current option. Most stores that used to offer a wide selection of CD's went out of business or have drastically limited their selection to pop 40.
I do all my biz on interent and my sales are 100 % there. Webnsite + interent and good product and good service is easier on internet then in store. I sell underwear and no one takes out of boxes and we have to put back in and ltimate buyer gets some items that has been mess around by customers(some) in store that often have no intention of buying.
On internet my customers get item not touched or opened by any one. That works fine for me
I find the best prices buying on-line for many things. I am also becoming loyal to my on-line sellers and give Amazon a lot of business on things besides books, whatever it is I know I will get good service, attractive consumer protections and a hassle free, quick purchase.
Amazon is not the only company I have found this to be true about, of course, but I think when people find a place to buy from that they have had good experiences with they will come back there and not try new places. Why risk it?
I couldn't agree more. I still am wary of the risk anytime I enter my CreditCard # online, but the deals to be had online are too good to pass up. Anytime I find a good online retailer with good prices, prompt shipping & good service I'm an instant loyal customer. I even get/give recommendations for good retailers with friends and coworkers.
I enjoy shopping in the stores so I can see the product (or try it on), however, the selection is usually poor or the item is not in stock. I end up going home disappointed and then end up buying it on line anyway. Ever try to get a comforter, shams, etc. in a store. Usually can't get the whole set as something is always out of stock. Buy on line and you get exactly what you want.
Older people do use the computer for research and shopping. I researched appliances and automobiles before buying this year. I compare everything before making a purchase.
I buy everything on-line! Now that I can get most of my groceries, cleaning supplies, catfood, dogfood to my front door, why go to the grocery store? Amway has great products & 100% money back guarantee and free shipping on anything over 75.00, I can't pass up a deal like that :) I can get to Sears, Best Buy, Disney, Bass Pro Shops, Office Depot al thru the same website & get the same $$ back guarantee if I go thru my friends Amway site. Pretty cool.