Five Facts about Online Shopping to Help You Make a Mindful Purchase
When was the last online purchase you made? Let’s face the facts, and online shopping is very convenient. Online shopping is convenient because there’s no need to wait in lines, there are no gas costs, and you don’t have to lug your shopping from one store or another. Once you have the facts on online shopping, you will be able to see that it can be quite damaging for your wallet, your mental well-being, and the environment.
You may be surprised at the impact that your shopping habits have. Let’s look at some facts about shopping and how it impacts you and the environment.
Online shopping can be addicting.
58% of the population is affected by online shopping addiction. This addiction is also called compulsive buying, oniomania or pathological shopping. The symptoms are the same regardless of the name.
Simply put, it is an addiction to buying. It can lead to severe consequences for the addict and their loved one.
The most vulnerable to online shopping addiction are people who enjoy the convenience of just one click away from making a purchase. Some people prefer to avoid in-store social interaction.
High percentages of clothing purchased go to landfills.
Which items do you prefer to spend your money on online? You will likely buy clothes online if you are anything like 54% of US shoppers. Why? Shopping online is easy and convenient. You don’t need to worry about ugly mirrors in the store.
However, most people who shop for clothes online don’t know about important environmental facts. Their obsession with the latest fashions is a curse on the planet.
Americans are throwing out more clothes than ever before. The volume of clothing washed has risen from 7 to 14 million tons in the last 20 years.
This fast-fashion waste takes around 200 years to decompose in landfills completely. This is one of our most tragic facts about shopping. It has a terrible impact on the planet.
Many online shoppers fall for scams.
One of the most frightening facts about online shopping is how it can affect your finances. You may have experienced online shopping and know how frustrating it can be to fall for an online scam.
Many people have had to learn this lesson the hard way. Cybercriminals have increased their efforts to defraud consumers.
Recent victims of fraud include some 78.8% of online shoppers. The most probable cause of cyber fraud is increased online spending.
These cybersecurity facts on online shopping show that the more you shop online, the more likely you will be a victim of this type of crime.
Online orders cannot be shipped or returned.
You might have thought that online shopping was great for the environment since you don’t need to get in your car and drive to the shop. This is a lie.
Online shopping is hurting the environment. Shipping and returning products account for 37% of the world’s GHG emissions. What does the future hold?
What about the road delivery vehicles growing 36% by 2030, contributing 6 million tons to CO2 emissions?
Many delivery vehicles are being driven half-full, increasing environmental burdens and the demand for next-day or same-day delivery.
Online shopping can lead you to debt.
These plans, which allow you to buy now and pay later, are growing in popularity with younger shoppers. These plans allow you to commit to buying items today without worrying about the cost.
In small payments, you’ll gradually pay off the debt. There won’t be interest or fees as long as you make regular payments.
It may seem harmless to have a little flexibility. It may seem harmless to have a little flexibility. However, it can also lead to unmanageable debt.
Recent Cardiff surveys of 6,500 adults revealed that 48% would rather spend 10-20% using buy now, pay later than with credit cards.
