When did you first start using the Internet? My first introduction to the Internet was in middle school. I have fond memories of hanging out at my friend Cathy’s house, playing games and chatting on ICQ (yup, I’m that “old”). Being able to, “talk” to people from around the world via computer was pretty freaking cool to a 12-year-old. We made up fake names and characters and pretended to be from lots of exotic locations.
After a few weekends at Cathy’s house I practically begged my parents to buy a computer and “hook up” the Internet (ah the dial up days). At first they didn’t really see the appeal…“What’s this whole ‘Internet business’? and why in the world would you want to communicate with people you don’t know?” The Internet was a, “scary unknown” and my parents were convinced that I would get kidnapped and/or run away from home.
Thankfully neither happened, and by the time I was in high school I was able to convince them that the Internet was necessary for my studies err chatting with my college boyfriend. Thank you AIM chat for “teaching me” how to type ridiculously fast.
By the time I headed to college, the Internet was basically a, “must have”. Everyone my age had e-mail and a few of my friends were starting to shop online. I bought a few things on ebay and a few things on Amazon (text books towards the end of my college career), but never in a million years did I ever think that online shopping would become a “normal” and routine part of my day-to-day life.
Curious what I’m talking about? Last weekend I purchased my groceries and scheduled them to be delivered online. I ordered several shirts at LL Bean for our upcoming Mexico trip and purchased birthday gifts for both of my sisters from Harry and David. 15 years ago, none of that would have been possible (for me at least).
While the Internet hasn’t really changed what I buy, it has changed how I shop:
When I shop. Long gone are the days of shopping during normal business hours. Thanks to the Internet I can shop 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If I think of something I forgot to buy at the store I can pop on over to Amazon prime (free 30 day trial here!) and have it delivered directly to my door in 2 days. Groceries ordered from Fresh Direct before 4pm arrive the next morning between 6-8am.
Where I shop. These days you’re not stuck buying items for full retail prices. You can search the net the best prices on just about anything. Just recently I purchased a bottle of all-natural cranberry juice for $9.99 at my local natural foods store. Imagine my surprise and delight when I fought the same bottle of juice being sold at Fresh Direct for only $6.79! Yeah it’s only a few bucks, but a few bucks here and there add up.
Why I shop online I: Sales. Let’s just say I’m a huge fan of slickdeals. Just last week I found a great deal on toilet tissue at staples thanks to slick deals. The next day 3 packages (60 rolls) of TP for $21.97.
Why I shop online II: Variety. You can buy basically anything you want online. If you live in a rural area where it’s difficult to find specialty items the Internet really can change your life. My parents live in a very rural part of Maine. Many of the items I’ve not grown accustomed to are not available by their house. But they are available online!
How I shop: Convenience. At Christmastime I ordered a few Burt’s Bees gift sets for family members at drugstore.com. The next day they were delivered to my house. Does it get anymore convenient than that? I didn’t have to leave my house during a snowstorm, I didn’t have to shop all over town trying to find the exact sets I wanted and I didn’t have to go to multiple stores.
Who I shop for. My mom and step-dad live in Maine, my sister lives in North Carolina and my dad and step-mom live in Florida. Basically my family is spread across the country, making it difficult to ship gifts when holidays and birthdays come around. If I buy a gift at a bricks and mortar store I have to wrap it, box it and pay crazy shipping charges (Seriously! have you shipped something USPS recently, damn shipping is expensive!). If I purchase something directly from a retailer or from Amazon, I can have the gift wrapped and shipped without even leaving the comfort of my couch. Basically, if you don’t live in the metro NYC area, you can bet you’re getting a gift I bought online!