With Medical Equipment, is it better to Buy In-store or On-line?
The internet has revolutionised the way we shop. The following article examines the pros and cons of on-line over in-store purchasing.
Advantages
- It’s easy to price compare between suppliers
- You can research products quickly
- Helps avoid crowds
- If you’ve difficulty travelling, it’s more convenient to click and buy
- Less sales pressure
- Quickly complete the purchase and await delivery
- Privacy for discreet purchases
Disadvantages
- Don’t know exactly what you’re getting until it arrives
- Risk of Credit Card Fraud
- Hard to gauge trustworthiness
- Find that you’re not actually dealing with a supplier in Ireland
- Complications with returns, especially after a period of use
- There is no personal relationship, like with established businesses
- There is no expert advice
- Warranty difficulties due to distance between on-line provider and customer
- No local business to engage with
- Difficult to get items repaired or serviced
The best option nowadays is to deal with an established business that provides both. As on-line trading has increased most mobility/medical retail business have become providers of both in-store and on-line, in order to compete with the exclusively on-line businesses. That way they have succeeded in providing the longstanding customer expectations of dealing with a bricks-and-mortar business, where a more personal service is provided as well as providing an on-line offer for those who wish to purchase that way.
The new reality of businesses providing both on-line and in-store has delivered a win-win scenario for customers. Consumers can now benefit from the reduction in retail pricing that was required to allow retailers to compete with on-line only businesses, but with the added benefits for consumers of receiving the security, personal attention, advice and after-sales service of traditional high street businesses.
