| Despite the many advantages of online shopping there | | | | is received. |
| are also problems which may occur with this type of | | | | Receiving the Wrong Item |
| shopping. These problems such as ordering the wrong | | | | Even when online shoppers do not make mistakes |
| item, receiving the wrong item and the need to return | | | | during the ordering process it is still possible for the |
| an item can often be significant enough to make a | | | | consumer to receive the wrong item. This often |
| potential online shopper reconsider the decision to | | | | occurs when the orders are filled by hand and a |
| purchase an item online. Although these problems are | | | | mistake is made in the warehouse. A warehouse |
| some of the most common which occur in online | | | | maker may ship the wrong item completely or may |
| shopping they do not necessarily happen frequently. | | | | ship the correct item in the wrong size or color. Again |
| However, when these problems do occur they can | | | | the consumer will likely not know a mistake was made |
| cause a great deal of stress and frustration for the | | | | until the order arrives. The online retailer will likely take |
| online shopper. This article will discuss some of these | | | | responsibility for returning the incorrect item and will |
| common problems in an attempt to help the reader | | | | ship the correct item as soon as possible. However, |
| make a wise decision about whether or not to | | | | this may not completely correct the problem in all |
| purchase an item online. | | | | cases. For example a consumer who purchased an |
| Ordering the Wrong Item | | | | item for a specific event may not receive the |
| When shopping in traditional stores it is quite difficult to | | | | replacement item in time for the event. |
| accidentally purchase the wrong item because the | | | | The Need to Return an Item |
| sales process typically involves the consumer | | | | In situations where the online shopper orders the |
| physically carrying the item up to the sales counter to | | | | wrong item as well as situations where the online |
| make the purchase. However, in online shopping where | | | | retailer mistakenly ships the wrong item there may be |
| the consumer never physically handles the item before | | | | a need to make returns. Although this may not seem |
| the purchase is complete and the item delivered it is | | | | to be a huge problem it can be particularly troubling for |
| certainly possible to purchase the wrong item. This can | | | | some consumers. In particular online shoppers who opt |
| occur when the shopper uses the website to make | | | | to do their shopping online specifically because they |
| the purchase and clicks on the wrong item or when | | | | work odd hours may have a great deal of difficulty |
| the consumer contacts customer service to make the | | | | making returns. This is because the process of |
| purchase and provides the wrong product number. | | | | shipping the item back to the online retailer will generally |
| Even if the consumer clicks on the correct product | | | | involve taking the item to a post office. Depending on |
| and provides an accurate product number he may still | | | | the hours in which the consumer works, it may be |
| make a mistake in the ordering process if there are | | | | difficult to get to a post office during regular business |
| options such as size or color associated with the item. | | | | hours and may require the shopper to take time off |
| This problem can be rather troubling because the | | | | from work to make the return. |
| consumer will be disappointed when the incorrect item | | | | |