Advances in technology have allowed consumers to shop in ways that were not imaginable in the past. While shopping on the Internet can provide you with convenience, and often lower prices, there are specific items you should stick to Purchasing in-store. This article will uncover six things you should avoid buying online.

 Avoid Purchasing These 6 Products Online

1. Cars
   The Internet is a great tool to help you conduct research and compare and contrast vehicle makes, models, and prices; however, when it comes to purchasing a car, experts advise that in-person is your best option. Before you decide to buy any vehicle, it’s essential to take it for a test drive to see how it handles, how good the visibility is, what condition the car is in, and how comfortable it is.
   If you’re buying a used car, you will want to get it inspected by a trusted mechanic to avoid purchasing a vehicle that will require costly repairs down the road. Our helpful used car buying guide is a great resource to get you started.
2. Groceries
   Utilizing online services, such as Amazon Subscribe & Save and Google Expressto purchase toiletries and pantry items online can save you a ton of money. However, when it comes to buying fresh food online, many experts advise that the grocery store is the better way to go for two main reasons:
   ~ Quality: According to industry experts, when you purchase food items online,
    you can never be sure how fresh they are. When you buy your groceries in-store, you can physically check for freshness, food quality, and expiration dates. When you order food online, you can’t be sure the employees are checking for these same things.
   ~Price: While buying food online can save you time, experts advise that it won’t always save you money. For example, research by Kiplinger found that Amazon’s prices on most food items can’t beat the sale prices offered at supermarkets or warehouse stores. 
3. Furniture
   Buying furniture online may seem like a huge time-saver, but purchasing this big ticket item online has its downsides including:
   ~ Can’t Test For Comfort: The only way to truly test the comfort of any furniture item is to go to the store and try it yourself.
   ~ High Shipping Costs: While some online furniture retailers offer free shipping after a certain amount of spend, most do not. Most online stores charge a shipping charge equal to 10% of the purchase price, which can add up quickly if you are buying multiple pieces of furniture.
   ~ Return Fees: Some online furniture retailers require you to ship back unwanted furniture at your own cost. In addition to this, some retailers charge a re-stocking fee equal to 25% of the purchase price if they are not satisfied with the condition of the returned furniture. 
   ~ No Negotiation: When you shop for furniture online you are not able to negotiate prices with salespeople. The Internet is, however, a great tool to check prices before you shop. If you find a great deal online, you can use it as ammo to get the salesperson to reduce the cost of the item in the store.
4. Name Brand Knockoffs
   Purchasing knockoff items online can be dangerous if the sites you are shopping on are not secure. While you may save a significant amount of money purchasing a generic product, the risk associated with buying this product online isn’t worth it. 
   
5. Makeup
   Purchasing makeup online that you’ve tried before makes perfect sense;

   however, when it comes to finding new products it’s better to shop in the store. Shopping for makeup products in-store allows you to accurately gauge colors, sample products, and consult with salespeople.

6. High-end Musical Instruments
   Purchasing a high-end musical instrument is a significant expense. Since tone can vary widely even among the most trusted brands, it’s essential to see how the instrument sounds and feels before you buy it. In addition, when you purchase a musical instrument online, you run the risk of it getting damaged during shipping. While insurance can cover your financial loss, if it is a rare or vintage instrument it will be hard to replace.It is plausible to purchase some musical instruments online.  For instance, wood instruments tend to vary more in tone and are more delicate and vulnerable to breaking. If you’re buying a metal instrument such as a flute or trumpet, the risk of it getting damaged is less.

The post 6 Products You Should Never Buy Online appeared first on Launch Federal Credit Union.