The Internet has enabled us to lead a much more relaxed life. We don't have to run to the electricity bill counter and haggle over change with the disinterested clerk. We don't have to go to the bank, or even the ATM to send money to someone. We can get any product, including groceries, home-delivered, free of cost.
Apart from saving time and energy, Internet shopping also helps you in other ways. A newly-married couple wanted to buy two dustbins. They went to the nearest supermarket. The dustbins were there, but were too bulky to be carried on a two-wheeler. They discovered that the same supermarket had an online store. A couple of clicks and couple of days later, the courier guy came lugging the two bulky dustbins — neatly packed — and delivered them at their doorstep.
Some order even groceries online. There is not much difference in price. Even if the price is slightly higher, it is almost offset by the ‘offers'. What many of us don't know is that even fruits and vegetables can be ordered online. The ‘dustbin' couple, who are both employed in IT firms, find it easy to order vegetables every day. They have authorised the building watchman to take delivery when they are not at home.
Online shopping or using online payment methods gives us some extra time — the time we would have spent commuting, the time we would have spent in the billing queue or haggling with vendors. Online shopping is also a boon to working couples who come home tired and are in no mood to go out all over again.
A friend who was fed up with the DTH service sent an email to the service provider seeking disconnection. He went to the Web site of another DTH service provider at 8 p.m. and ordered a new connection. The new dish and set top box were installed by 3 p.m. the next day.
Some shopping sites even offer EMI facility. If you choose the option, the amount of purchase is split into EMIs, without your having to fill up a single form!