Member Article

Are You An Online Shopper?

2005 saw UK consumers spend more money online than ever before, especially in the run-up to Christmas. According to the latest statistics, half of the UK’s population now uses the web to shop, as well as or instead of on the high street - and the figures look set to increase.

Doing your shopping from the comfort of your own home is certainly an attractive option - especially when it’s cold and dark outside, and you can’t face battling it out for a parking space or dealing with the crowds. Plus, the web is never shut which means you can buy at any time of day or night.But before we start sounding like an advert for eBay, it has to be said that online shopping also brings its own problems – you have to trust that the seller will not take your money and run for a start, you can’t try anything on for size, and of course, if you’re not in when the parcel arrives you may well need to take a trip to the local sorting office to receive it. In light of this, today’s Friday Poll asks about your attitude to internet shopping:Â Do you regularly buy goods online or do you still prefer the hustle and bustle of the high street?

Yes, I buy online at least once every couple of months, if not more I do shop online - but fairly infrequently I have never tried internet shopping but would be open to the idea No, I never have bought anything online and never will

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .