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Shopping Online
This is a brief introduction to shopping online. As I suffer from agoraphobia, the use of online shopping has enabled me to remain relatively independent and self-reliant. I haven’t tried all of the sites I list below, but I have no complaints regarding any online shopping experience. With regard to groceries, I use Coles Online who I think are reliable and make few errors. When errors are made, they promptly either refund the money or provide the products in the next delivery. For detailed discussion of the things you need to be aware of before shopping on line, I recommend you peruse the following articles on the internet:
Safe Shopping on the internet: www.abcnews.go.com/onair/2020/diaz000802.html
Credit card security online: www.choice.com.au/articles/a101052p4.htm
Internet shopping tips: www.aca.ninemsn.com.au/factsheets/75.asp
Note: the sites I have listed are Australian sites and therefore the prices quoted are in Australian dollars. When shopping online it is important to be aware whether the site is based in Australia and whether prices are in Australian dollars.
Why shop online?
Convenience
* avoid going to the busy supermarket
* have shopping delivered to your door
* no full, heavy shopping bags to carry
* refrigerated items are delivered in refrigerated trucks at a specified delivery time
* payment can be on-line using credit card or on delivery with drivers using mobile computer banking devices to accept credit and debit cards. Most operators set a minimum order amount and charge for service or delivery.
* examples of payment options:
Coles: pay on delivery with credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Bankcard) or debit card via EFTPOS. Can use Fly Buys card and shareholders' discount card (five percent off). Can apply for a customer account.
Woolworths: pay on delivery with credit card (Bankcard, MasterCard, Visa, Amex) or debit card through mobile EFTPOS unit.
GreenGrocer: pay when ordering online with credit card (Bankcard, Visa, MasterCard, Amex) or set up an account where monthly balance can be paid by cheque.
Shopfast: pay on delivery with cash, EFTPOS, cheque or credit card (Visa, Amex).
Save Money
* less impulse buying
* prices can be lower as many online retailers or "e-tailers" do not have the associated infrastructure costs of their traditional competitors
* examples of prices (approximate)
Coles: minimum order of $60 + $13.69 service and delivery fee.
Woolworths: minimum order of $60 + $12.50 service fee + $4 refrigeration cost.
GreenGrocer: minimum order of $25 + $4 refrigeration fee.
Shopfast: no minimum order but $6.55 service fee.
Save Time
* shop at anytime
* avoid busy supermarkets and queues
Examples of delivery times
Coles: Monday to Friday 9am-9pm, Saturday 9am-4pm, Sunday 9am-1.30pm.
Woolworths: 7am-9pm every day in two-hour intervals.
GreenGrocer: ranges from Monday-Friday 2pm-9pm; Saturday 1pm-5pm.
Shopfast: 9am-11pm weekdays and Saturdays 10am-6pm, in two-hour intervals.
Availability
* There is very little that can’t be bought over the internet. Below are just a small sample of the products that are available online.
Groceries
* Coles (www.colesonline.com.au):
Deliver to areas of Sydney and Melbourne (enter postcode at www.colesonline.com.au to check your area). Stock includes all products available in Coles stores plus alcohol and cigarettes.
* Woolworths (www.woolworths.com.au):
Deliver to areas of Sydney and Canberra. Stock includes grocery, dairy/frozen, general merchandise, liquor, meat, heat and serve, fruit and vegetables, serviced delicatessen, bakehouse.
* GreenGrocer (www.greengrocer.com.au):
Deliver to metropolitan Sydney and Melbourne and some regional areas. Stock includes market-fresh fruit, vegetables, and perishable goods, including breads, flowers, prepared foods, meats and seafood.
* Shopfast (www.shopfast.com.au):
Deliver to metropolitan and suburban Sydney. Stock includes groceries, including fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, seafood, bakery items, and alcohol.
Stationery
* Office works (www.officeworks.com.au):
Delivery to metropolitan areas and some rural areas. Stock includes office supplies, computer products, office furniture, paper, toners and cartridges, and desk accessories.
Books:
* QBD the Bookshop (www.qbdthebookshop.com):
Delivery anywhere in Australia. Stock includes books, stationery, some DVD’s and videos.
* Seekbooks Australia (www.seekbooks.com.au):
Delivery anywhere in Australia. Stocks books.
* ABC Shop (http://shop.abc.net.au):
Delivery anywhere in Australia. Stocks include books, CD’s, Videos, DVD’s and other ABC products.
Music/Electrical:
* Dick Smith Electronics (www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.storefront): Stock electrical items, communication equipment, computer products.
* d-store (www.dstore.com.au): Stock CD’s, Videos, DVD’s.
* Kmart (www.kmart.com.au): Stock CD’s, Videos, DVD’s.
* Sanity (www.sanity.com.au): Stock CD’s, Videos, DVD’s
Other:
* Myer (www.myerdirect.com.au): Stock clothing, homeware, kitchen ware, electrical, etc.
* David Jones (www.davidjones.com.au/home.jsp): Stock clothing, homeware, kitchenware, electrical, etc.
* Health Basket (www.healthybasket.com.au/home.jsp): Stocks vitamin and mineral supplements and other health products
* Pharmacy Direct (www.pharmacydirect.com.au/home.jsp): Pharmacy products and over the counter medications.
Final note: Once you begin shopping online you will realise how convenient it can be. Remain aware however that although money isn’t exchanged physically, you are still paying for the products. It is easy to get caught up in the excitement.
Happy Shopping!
Cath
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