8 reasons our customers choose to buy online

We really appreciate feedback from customers and particularly like to find out why our customers choose to purchase online.  It seems almost everyone has a different reason for shopping online.  We thought you may be interested in some of those reasons. 

In some towns, original gift choices are limited.  Online shopping gives everyone the same opportunity to access original and unique gifts.  Therefore, if you are living regionally, your friends won't have already seen your gift in the local store window

It's a quick and easy way to find a specific product of interest.  Many customers have their favourite brands and when it's time to repurchase, there's no easier way to relocate that product than by searching for it by name, online.  It can take a matter of seconds to track down a product you love.     

Having a gift delivered directly to a friend is really convenient.  Buying online is super-easy.  When you connect with a retailer you can trust, there is nothing more convenient and cost-effective than having your gift packaged and delivered on your behalf.  There is an art to beautiful gift-wrapping and securely packing a precious gift to ensure it's safe arrival.  Professional online stores can provide this service.  In addition, they also have access to efficient and cost-effective shipping methods.

Online shopping saves time and money.  
How many times have you walked into a store looking for a gift, only to come out with two, three or four other items?  Have you thought, this outing should only take half an hour and then found yourself still searching two hours later.  Shopping online allows you to choose your gifts from the convenience of your home or office.  This not only saves you time, but also saves your feet. You can choose exactly what you like without pushy sales people convincing you to buy something you don't really need.  And right throughout the process, you see a running total of your purchase.  This means you won't have that pang of anxiety as the salesperson rings up your bill.

Shopping with small children can be a major challenge.  A trip to the shops with young children can be very frustrating.  For parents, it can be really hard to focus when your littlies are in constant need of the loo, sooooo hungry, sooooo bored and wanting more than anything to touch all the colours and textures that are displayed so enticingly before them.  Kids should be exploring their environment, but let's face it, no-one wants to pay for something broken, that they didn't really want in the first place.  We've all been there!!  When you shop online, you shop anytime of the day or night, when it's convenient for you.

When you buy online, everything is new.  When you consider the number of times that items are handled within a store, you could argue some of those items are second-hand before they leave the shelf.  When you buy from a reputable online store, everything is new.  Not displayed, touched or damaged.  Isn't it comforting to know your baby gifts are coming straight from the source.

Buying online takes the hassle out of the "group" or "corporate" gift.  If you've ever been delegated the role of choosing a group gift then you know it can end up being quite a pressure.  Sometimes it seems as though everyone wants to have input into the gift. When you shop online, you can throw a few ideas around.  Narrow down the choices and share your selections with friends and colleagues on social media - try Facebook or Pinterest.  It won't be long before you've agreed on something spectacular.  

Online stores value-add and dedicate more time to after sales service.  Sales staff in bricks and mortar outlets are under huge pressure to sell, sell, sell.  This means that most of the customer service you receive is pre-purchase.  Even when a store is quiet, it is the role of the sales person to keep shelves stocked and looking great.  There is also that little (or should we say big) issue of theft.  Sadly salespeople are constantly under pressure to keep a close eye on all customers, even those who may genuinely prefer to shop left alone.  Online customer service staff dedicate post-purchase time to adding value, such as gift-packaging to order and arranging home-delivery and you needn't wait around during the process.  Online stores also maintain your account and keep you abreast of all the news that's important to you. eg. when your favourite products are on sale or when your most-loved brand is launching something new.  It's like having your own personal shopper 24/7.

This is just some of the feedback we've received since we launched Room to Bloom almost two years ago.  We'd love to hear why you choose to shop online.  Please feel free to share some of your ideas.