What Do I Expect From An Online Store? Electronics and More!

I do most of my shopping online. Not everything, of course, but pretty much all of my electronics, most of my books and clothing, and even some of my pet supplies and home decor. As a result I've had a lot of experience with online stores. Most has been good, some terrific, and some not so good. As a seasoned online shopper, let me tell you what I expect from an online provider.

First of all, a good price. It makes no sense to me to go online and pay the same as in a regular store. After all, it's less expensive to run an online business than a brick and mortar shop, so I want to see savings. I also want to know how much I save, so I expect that information to be available. Shops that jack up the supposed list price to make customers think they're getting a good deal when they're not are instantly off my list. A famous US-based online megastore actually allows its vendors to charge more than list. Guess where I never shop?

Second, I want selection. Be it computers, digital cameras, DVD players, DAB radios or whatever, I expect a decent online store to have it all. After all, online stores do not have to stock and display it all in a window, they just have to be able to make it available to customers. So I expect them to offer a full selection of everything I am interested in. Having just one major brand or two won't do.

Third, I want honesty. I hate nothing more than finding out, after spending time filling my online shopping cart, that a product really isn't available or that it costs a fortune to ship it. There are vendors who try to trick you into making the purchase anyway. They do that by making you fill out several pages of forms before they spring the surprise on you. "Oh, that is out of stock. But we can order it for you." Or they try to rip you off with excessive shipping charges, mandatory insurance or, my favorite, extra "shipping and handling."

Fourth, I want timeliness. It makes no sense to me to use instant electronic means of communication for shopping when I then have to wait three weeks to get the product. Likewise, I will absolutely never again do business with an online store that waits until Monday morning to even acknowledge an order placed Friday afternoon with an email. I mean, online is supposed to be fast. Folks who run an online store but then do not check their orders unless it is "regular business hours" should not be in this business.

Finally, no matter whether it's a piece of art, beauty supplies, a DVD or an electronic gadget, if something goes wrong I want good customer service. If it's customer service by phone I do not want to hear, "All of our representatives are busy helping other customers" when I know full well that there aren't any other customers. And I don't want to wait for an email reply for several days. Nor do I want to chat with a robot. Customer service is not black magic.

That's it. There are good online stores out there. Electronics, giftware, toys; it's all there. Don't put up with any crap, but do reward the good ones with your business.

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Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies. For tips/information, click here: electronics
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