[Archived] Christmas Shopping ONLINE v High Street

[Ozz]

I wonder how many people are planning or already have done the majority of their Christmas shopping online this year?

I am an advocate of online shopping (I earn a lving from it) and think everyone should do so these days with web2.0 and massive broadband speeds etc but would be interested to hear other views.

Does anybody use Invisible Hand?

[Glenn]

I've done 90% of my pressie shopping online for years.

I have to ask, do you make your money as an retailer or affiliate marketer ?

And I also have to get a BIG plug into this thread. One of our major source of income for the site (which we need to pay some hefty monthly hosting bills) is done through people using our affiliate links to do their Online Christmas Shopping. Which means rather than InvisibleHand (which is actually a very good bit of kit) getting a little percentage of each transaction, the site does instead.

Links to major retailers like Amazon, Play.com and Iwoot can be found at

http://www.brfcs.co.uk/mb/index.php/topic/22165-how-to-support-the-site-with-special-online-deals/

[brian_gallagher85]

When you throw in sites like quidco, it's stupid not to I really should get started....

[cn174]

I hate going shopping, so I do everything online. There's very few things I can think of that I would need to go a shop for, and in such cases it's easier to give mum a list and she'll go

[Biddy]

Haven't shopped in town for years. I most certainly never go anywhere near a town center from about the middle of November due the hideous christmas shopping. And the prices compared to online are ridiculous.

[tcj_jones]

I hate shopping. I can't stand the ques and the waiting, nor the flock of morons forever getting in my way and just generally ****ing me off.

I do everything online these days. Most shops also let you return unwanted products free of charge too.

[LeChuck]

If I know what I'm getting then I'll buy it online. I do buy a fair bit in the town centre though, especially if I'm not sure what to get (browsing online just doesn't work for me).

It does take some of the festive charm out of Christmas if you do it all online. I love walking round the Christmas markets, having a drink and some food, walking round the stores.

The only reason I shop online is for cost actually.

[broadsword]

Christmas shopping all done, presents wrapped and all sent off to the required destinations last week.

I did about 90% online. Saves having to pluck something appropriate off the shelves whilst amongst a great big heaving rugby scrum of other shoppers who don't care if they elbow and shove you out of the way. Cqn't really stand shopping at the best of times. I even got some of the presents wrapped up by the the companies I ordered from. Sod wrapping, who wants to do that?

This is the first time I've been so organised about it, but it's going to make Christmas so much less stressful. I'm not really a Christmas person, and running around like an idiot at the last minute into crowded shops with massive queues just makes the whole experience so much worse.

[sloth_frattelli]

Depends where is cheaper really, and some deals are online only.

Hotukdeals is a good place to keep an eye on for bargains too.

[Ozz]

I have to ask, do you make your money as an retailer or affiliate marketer ?

I'm a retailer specialising in musical instruments.

Trading through our home website at Incredibid, a Pro Merchant on Amazon.co.uk and a Power Seller on eBay.co.uk.

Trevor-Under the Distance Selling Regulations, all retailers must allow any returns for upto seven days, and be responsible for any costs in returning goods also. DSR Returns .

The reason for the question is that year on year traffic and sales show no sign of mirroring last year so far, and I'm beginning to get a little concerned that someone has cancelled Christmas.

[Hughesy]

Id put myself in the 90% online bracket

Using sites like TopCashBack - I claim cash back too, also use voucher sites to get it even cheaper - with 5 or 10% discounts the norm.

If I see something in a shop, then I use laser (App on iphone) which scans barcode & tells me the cheapest deal available for that product....if its cheaper in the shop then id buy it.

I use hotdeals daily to scout for awesome deals, aswell as bargain sites like Brandalley

Glenn....I know its over in that other thread, but any chance you can put a FULL list in here of sites we can use for BRFCS.

[Glenn]

Glenn....I know its over in that other thread, but any chance you can put a FULL list in here of sites we can use for BRFCS.

We run a number of different advertising schemes on the site, some we get a tiny amount of money from when you click the adverts, but the vast majority give us a percentage when you buy something from them (or occasionally do some other act, such as signing up). Now, because we know you'll never be able to be able to find the right banner advert when you actually know you want to buy something and what to help the site out, we provided this handy linked list (note, it doesn't included advertisments we get from google as we have little control over these and google customise them both for you and for the page they are on.

Amazon

7dayshop.com -Office Supplies, Computers & Software, Electronics

APH Airport Parking and Hotels

BeyondTelevision LCD/Plasma Screens.

Britannia Hotels Britannia Hotels are the largest privately owned hotel chain in the UK, with 33 hotels across the country, offering comfortable accommodation and excellent meeting facilities in the very best locations.

Buyagift.co.uk -The UK's biggest gift experience retailer - over 2,500 gift ideas

CartridgeMonkey - Inkjet Cartridges

Currys - UKs biggest Electrical retailer and offers one of the most extensive product ranges online. They cover all electrical categories such as kitchen appliances, digital vision & photography.

directtvs - Direct TVs are the UKs largest e-tailers of TVs, handling over 100 orders per day.

Domino's Pizza - Domino's Pizza is recognised as the world's leading pizza delivery company.

Drinkstuff.com - Offering over 3,000 of the best Drink Related Gifts and Consumer Gadgets, Poker Stuff and Home Accessories.

Fantasy League - Fantasy League

First TransPennine Express First TransPennine Express runs inter-city train services on three main routes across the North of England. Save up to 65% if you buy in advance.

Gameseek - The UK's #1 Internet Gamestore offers fantastic commission and fantastic conversion rates.

Hostelbookers.com - HostelBookers is a leader in online budget accommodation with hostels, hotels and apartments in over 3000 destinations Worldwide all backed by our Lowest Price Guarantee!

Icons - Icons is the home of exclusive signed football memorabilia from legends including Pele, Maradona and Ronaldo.

Iwantoneofthose.com - I Want One of Those (Gadgets, Boys Toys)

Just-Eat.co.uk- Order Food Online - Just-Eat.co.uk- Order Food Online

Keeperskit - Keeperskit.com the goalkeeper and football specialists

Kitbag Ltd - Kitbag.com - Sports Store

LoveFilm.com - LOVEFiLM is the place to find film on the web, offering users a range of products from DVD and games rental, LOVEFiLM shop to online film and television streaming.

Marks & Spencer Appliances

Megabus - megabus.com offers low cost inter city travel by coach and rail from £1 + 50p booking fee to over 50 UK destinations, carrying over 2 million passengers a year

MyMemory - MyMemory Provides Affiliates with High converting Products Sign-up today!

National Express - National Express offer Britain's only scheduled coach network reaching around 1000 destinations in England

National Express Eurolines - Eurolines groups together 32 independent coach companies, who between them operate Europe's largest regular coach network

Opodo - Opodo.co.uk is part of the Opodo group; the first truly Pan-European online travel company. Opodo UK gives travellers one-stop access to flights with over 500 airlines, 80,000 hotel properties, travel insurance, city breaks, Eurostar breaks and car hire.

passion8 - With sex being a basic instinct Passion8 aim to take this instinct to the next level with their huge range of sex toys, adult DVDs, lingerie and bondage products

Phones4U - Phones 4u, a leading UK independent mobile phone retailer offers the right deal 4u and your customers...

Plain Lazy - The ultimate gifts for yourself, a new baby on the scene or anyone else. Clothing for the 'laid back' individual!

Play.com - Play.com - Buy DVDs, CDs, Video Games, Electronics, Books and Ringtones with free delivery to UK and Europe.

PrinterInks - PrinterInks.com is one of the largest ink distributors in the United Kingdom. We offer sensational deals such as "Buy 2 Get 1 Free" and "Free Next Day Delivery".

Seatwave.com - Seatwave The Online Ticketing Exchange

ShopTo.Net - Shop Late Play Tomorrow! Orders up 5.30pm Dispatch same day, 99% order dispatched every day!

Sky Digital - Sky Digital is the market leading digital TV provider in the UK

Sky Player - Watch TV online - live and on demand

Speed Dater - Europes largest speed dating events company.

Spirit of Sport - Tthe premier Sports Memorabilia and Promotion Company. Ideal for gifts, collectors and investors!

SubsideSports.com - Sports, Clothing & Accessories

Toffs Ltd - Authentic retro football shirts!

UKSoccershop.com - Football Store

Vistaprint - Business Stationary

Remember, just clicking the links isn't enough, we need folks to buy stuff. These day the site costs a lot more to run than it did in the past and we don't have a bottomless pit of cash, so providing you guys with unobtrusive adverts for stuff you want seems a good way of doing it.

[Glenn]

I'm a retailer specialising in musical instruments.

Trading through our home website at Incredibid, a Pro Merchant on Amazon.co.uk and a Power Seller on eBay.co.uk.

Trevor-Under the Distance Selling Regulations, all retailers must allow any returns for upto seven days, and be responsible for any costs in returning goods also. DSR Returns .

The reason for the question is that year on year traffic and sales show no sign of mirroring last year so far, and I'm beginning to get a little concerned that someone has cancelled Christmas.

Ah cool. I always thought you were way too nice a guy to be involved with the internet marketers/affiliate marketers/SEO scene (i.e. guys with no products, just marketing strategies to send you to other people's stuff for the commission).

The clients I work with to sell online haven't had any unusual spikes or dips recently, but they're not really selling "seasonal stuff" (I can't see "Show someone you love them this Christmas, by getting them a suite of WordPress plugins" being a successful campaign ).

[Tom]

I'm about 80% online, was thinking of getting my mum a canvas for xmas and then saw there was a 2 for 1 on photobox plus I think 10% Quidco so that was great.

However I got some Uggs for my Mrs for cheaper in Office in the Trafford Centre than available anywhere online. That was only because it was the last pair in her size and one had been on display for a few days so high street can have it's perks as well.

I never buy games etc on the high street anymore unless it's one of the supermarket launch deals, never need to pay full price for a game these days.

[Glenn]

Is there a link I can email to my girlfriend for that?

Sadly no, as as much as I'm into quirky marketing, not even I'm touching that one

But I will contact you away from the forums, because we're working on something AWESOME for site devs (basically anyone wanting to sell online via PayPal) that might be up your street, best of all, it'll be free (kind of).

[Paul]

Nothing wrong with going to the shops. I suppose it depends on what you want to buy - a product or some inspiration.

It's hard to beat the service one gets from a good local retailer one has used for years. How many online retailers would take back a cooker ordered by a customer and later found to be unusable without re-wiring the house? Chorley Domestics just did that for us.

Online is easy for stuff that doesn't matter but not for big decisions or anything with emotion. If we don't support local retailers there'll be nowhere to scan a barcode to save a couple of quid.

Places like Chorley and Blackburn are dieing. Supporting local trade is vital to our towns - if one cares about them that is. Much the same as supporting your local club

[Hughesy]

Places like Chorley and Blackburn are dieing.

Blackburn Mall is booming

[Paul]

Booming? I have to say I've found it difficult to find reason to shop in Blackburn. If I need shoes I might go to the Clarks shop, popped into Reidy's a couple of times recently.

Last Saturday we went to KGH for first time in years - very impressed with service etc - when we came out at 10.30ish the town was dead. Pubs empty, no one on the streets, etc. I was surprised as I'd expected the area to be busy.

Top half of Chorley shopping area is close to being boarded up!!! So many empty premises.

[Hughesy]

Pubs wise its dying yes...although alot of towns are as their isnt the constant stream of people during the week anymore.

The Mall itself though is doing great, footfall has improved dramatically and at least there are a few new shops in the town now.

[Ewood Spark]

Pubs wise its dying yes...although alot of towns are as their isnt the constant stream of people during the week anymore.

The Mall itself though is doing great, footfall has improved dramatically and at least there are a few new shops in the town now.

Correct. We were in town last weekend ... and the place was heaving. I commented to the wife "Recession! ... what Recession?"

[SAS]

Heard on radio today they have had a 14% footfall uplift year on year since the start of november.

This is a huge increase for an area that already had large visitor numbers. I imagine the money spent has increased above the 14%.

[Mike Graham]

don't buy any pressies and don't give any apart from giving £x's cash to my two daughters.

stuff Xmas shopping, spend the money on a nice holiday instead or buy some shares.

[Hughesy]

Heard on radio today they have had a 14% footfall uplift year on year since the start of november.

This is a huge increase for an area that already had large visitor numbers. I imagine the money spent has increased above the 14%.

Thought it was more than that to be honest....once the next batch of new stores open before xmas (Bank, H&M, Peacocks, JD) then im sure it will increase further.

1st week was over 30% higher, then 16%

Market contractor decided

[eddiecolne]

Trying to find a Cd by Scala and Kolancy brothers as a Christmas present for my daughter, no luck on line and can't find any shops selling it. The Cd is called "On The Rocks" any help appreciated, Thanks.

[Hughesy]

Trying to find a Cd by Scala and Kolancy brothers as a Christmas present for my daughter, no luck on line and can't find any shops selling it. The Cd is called "On The Rocks" any help appreciated, Thanks.

Expensive CD that one!! - see here