There are top 5 things that we must don't buy online.
First is, Luxury Goods.
Sure, you can find good deals online, but how about a Rolex for $50? A Prada handbag for $150? If you believe you're getting the real deal when you spot such steals, there's also a bridge for sale in Brooklyn that you might be interested in.
Counterfeit goods account for about 13% of Internet purchases, says Stephen Polinsky, vice president of sales for GenuOne, a security technology company specializing in brand protection. "There's a real chance for an item to be misrepresented," he says. For example, you'll spot plenty of trendy Louis Vuitton Globe Shopper handbags on eBay. The photos, pulled from the brand Web sites, are of the real thing. But the real bag retails for $1,280, so what you see isn't going to be what you get when the sale price is $100.
Many luxury brands don't allow online transactions, period. Head to the Web sites of two high-end watch manufacturers, Breitling and Corum, and the first thing you'll see is a warning -- genuine products are not sold on the Internet. What you're getting from sites like Overstock.com and SmartBargains are grey-market products that are missing key components like a serial number or the manufacturer's warranty. Without those, the brand will refuse to repair or service your purchase.
Second, Prescription Medications.
Question: Just how badly do you want to save a few bucks on that Viagra prescription? Fact is, knockoff prescription meds are as plentiful online as other fake goods, says Polinsky -- but they are much more dangerous. At best, you're buying sugar pills. At worst, according to the Food and Drug Administration, the meds could be expired, contaminated or contain improper dosages.
In 2004, for example, the FDA shut down several Web sites that had been selling contraceptive patches that contained no active ingredients. More recently, a Colorado doctor is facing criminal and civil lawsuits for filling a prescription for antidepressants over the Internet to a 19-year-old Stanford University student who later committed suicide. The civil suit alleges that the doctor signed off on the prescription without a consultation.
Third, Fragile Electronics.
When you buy a flat-screen TV from your local electronics store, you expect that it'll be handled with care by store employees every step of the way, from the store to your living room. But online, you have no way of knowing if that delicate screen will be schlepped to your doorstep on a truck that's also carrying a carton of loose bowling balls.
The retailers don't make it easy, either. Most foist responsibility on the shipping carrier, rather than handle it themselves. PC Connection, for example, requires you to refuse damaged goods from the carrier, or note the damage when you sign for the delivery.
Online buying also means you're making an expensive purchase sight unseen, which isn't smart when it comes to electronics. It's impossible to gauge the clarity of a TV or picture quality on the digital viewfinder of a camera by looking at images on a retailer's site. Change your mind, and you'll be subject to additional fees. BuyDig.com only accepts returns within 10 days of receipt -- and you'll have to pay a 10% to 20% restocking fee, on top of the shipping charges to mail the item back. At MacMall.com, Apple products can't be returned at all.
Fourth, Groceries.
If you're the type of shopper who likes to tap the melons, purchasing groceries online may already sound a little dodgy. But the price is the real reason to head to your local supermarket instead of online, says Teri Gault, founder of The Grocery Game, a consumer savings program.
When shopping online, expect to pay a premium for the convenience. You also miss out on the two hallmarks of savvy shopping: store specials and manufacturer's coupons. "You can't use manufacturer's coupons online," says Gault. And there's no way for the store to translate some steals, such as half-price meats and bakery breads at the end of the shopping day. Add in a delivery fee of $4 to $15 and the convenience of shopping online seems a little less handy for your wallet.
And the last is, Intimate Clothing.
No one relishes swimsuit shopping, so the inclination to do it online -- without the harsh and unflattering lights of a dressing room -- is tempting. But retailers may charge you an additional shipping fee to send items back, as well as restocking fees of up to 15%.
While women have come to expect that finding the right bathing suit will take hours of try-on trial-and-error, buying bras and underwear can be equally tricky. Bra-cup size varies slightly by manufacturer. And many online retailers are (rightly so) finicky about accepting returns for such personal items.
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These are the top 5 things that is not usual bought in the net because these 5 things are the 5 top thing not to buy online...
So beware of this...
