Watch episode 3 of Shop Talk where KatieMumsnet discusses the future of shopping with Ben Shephard. NOW CLOSED

[KatieBMumsnet]

Last week MNers were asked whether they prefer to shop online or hit the high street. Watch episode 3 of Shop Talk now to see if your comments made it on the show!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= WvS-vyPN8Gs

Barclaycard Freedom Rewards, in association with Mumsnet, have created a new weekly online chat show: Shop Talk. Over the next weeks, they'll be looking for MNers' shopping tips and tricks on a range of topics.

Here's what Barclaycard have to say about the show: "Shop Talk is a weekly chat show where we tackle the big shopping stories that you're talking about. A different presenter will host each show each week and this week its Ben Shephard. Two panellists, including shopping blogger Emily and Katie from MNHQ, joined Ben to discuss shopping online and how digital is changing the high street.

With regards to the Barclaycard Freedom Rewards credit card, Barclaycard say: With the Freedom Rewards credit card you can shop online through the Freedom Rewards Store to get at least 3 points per £1 with over 50 top brands.

The last episode of Shop Talk is hosted by Ruth Langsford: where we discuss your Christmas shopping tactics. Share your thoughts on next weeks thread here and you could win £150 worth of Argos vouchers.

Thanks,

MNHQ

[rootypig]

Neither is perfect. The most infuriating thing about being on the high street is 1) looking for something that has been advertised or featured in a magazine and it not being there and 2) not all sizes being available. Online is less frustrating, because you haven't made the effort to tramp about, and it's nice just to be able to pick your size. But then you risk it not fitting / looking rubbish, and often things just don't look the way they do in the picture (though reviews are very helpful, especially when they describe any differences). I've long learned to order several sizes, choose companies that offer free shipping and returns, and accept that I'll be trotting back and forth to the post office a fair bit.

Other nice things about online: no crowds, easy to fit around kids!

[ThisIsMeNow]

Online for as much as possible then to plan the quickest and easiest rl trip possible!

[gazzalw]

Do most of my shopping online as it's less hassle and I can do it during my lunch-break which makes it good use of time.

DW does often comment though that you don't necessarily get the great shop-bought bargains that you have to be in-store (at the right moment) to find....such as the Waitrose food reductions late pm on a Sunday or the M&S Final Reductions Clearance items....

We do big food shops online because we don't have a car and shopping for a family is just impossible even with a Granny-chic shopping trolley .

[MoogDroog]

I moved out to a rural location in the last year, so have been relying more and more on online shopping. It's great for choice, price comparisons and can get here really speedily.

However, there's certain things that you just can't beat the high street for. Clothes being one. And when I do go 'proper' shopping it amazes me how quickly I can get a lot achieved. Online shopping can eat up a lot of time without me realising - I get baffled by choice and buried in reviews!

[Badvoc]

I do 95% of my shopping online.
I have many reasons for this...
I do not like shopping, I find it stressful. My dh and dc also hate it and I try very hard never to take my dc shopping unless I have to!
I like being able to try on clothes in the comfort of my own home, and free returns.
I have a chronic health condition which means I find pushing heavy trolleys laden with food etc very difficult/hard.
I simply do not understand shopping as a leisure activity.
I like to be able to read reviews for things I want to buy...I have found these to be very helpful over the years.
I use both the large, mainstream online shops like amazon, ocado etc and smaller sites too like etsy for handmade bespoke items.
The cons of online shopping are missing out on the reduced section (although ocado do have flash sales now) and offers that aren't around for long.
I have shopped mainly online for over a dozen years and have rarely encountered problems.

[GoldenHares]

Online for me but only with companies who offer a sound and free returns policy.

I don't particularly enjoy shopping. I'm often indecisive, shopping online allows me space to dither, deliberate, compare and contrast over days/ weeks sometimes.

Also, my young family loathe shopping and it's a trail for all of us if we shop on the high street. They get bored, I can't focus. Carrying stuff back is an issue etc.

I tend to use the same 3/4 companies online.

[Bubbles85]

Shopping online wins hands down for me. If I don't like something I can send it back or take it back to a store to avoid any delivery charges. Means you don't make silly decisions on the spot and you can get cash back from most places. Sometimes online prices from the same shop are better too.

[Bumbez]

I normally do a mixture, it's weighing up whether things are cheaper on line once you've paid postage and packing. I also feel morally its nice to support local shops.

This year I have a broken hand , so if I can't buy something locally then online it is.

[elizaco]

I do alot of online shopping - I love the convenience, especially as we live at least half an hour's drive from the nearest town. BUT I love to browse, which I don't think you can do as easily online, and although Christmas shopping is easier online, you certainly don't get the same atmosphere.

[Trumpton]

I very rarely shop on the High street.
I do take MIL into town once a week so she can mooch round m&s and we have lunch. She buys some food from them but everything else comes from the Internet.
I do live in a place that is very poor for shopping though.

[Trills]

Obviously you're going to get skewed results here, as people who post on mumsnet are more familiar and at ease online than the average population.

[Kerosene]

Online for basically everything. I'll pick up milk or bits I need for dinner that night on my way home, but I really don't like shopping, fighting my way through supermarkets or the high-street in general. I've an Amazon Prime account for free next-day shipping, and my local corner shop does collect+, which helps with delivery of bulky stuff while I'm at work, as well as returns.

[Trills]

I like to compare - if you try to do that in real life you have to walk around all of the shops then go back to the one with the "best" example of the item you wanted.

[LightasaBreeze]

i shop occasionally for food online, but do find it easier to pop into the supermarket as I work part time. If i worked full time I would grocery shop much more online.

With clothes, shoes and household I generally shop online at stores like M & S and John Lewis where stuff can be delivered to a local store for free and a good returns policy where I can return to store if I want. I do check delivery and returns policies and costs before buying online. Also there seems to be more choice with available sizes online, I may trek to a store and they haven't got what I want.

I generally buy books and CDs/DVDs online

[Jinty64]

I love being able to compare prices before either ordering online or picking up in store. I do most of my shopping online as it means I can use cash back sites for "that little bit extra". We don't have a lot of the big stores ie John Lewis, Sainsbury, GAP, etc locally so it also gives more choice.

[CMOTDibbler]

I do most of my shopping online - I have very little time to shop, and I hate trawling round. All my christmas shopping will be online.

Amazon Prime is my saviour, and that of my elderly, frail, parents as I can get them just about anything delivered next day from incontinence pads to microwaves (3 blown up this year...)

[CheekyChimpsMummy]

Both! Online for bigger purchases & in store for smaller cheaper purchases. I used to exclusively shop online for almost everything, even for small things but realised how much extra I was paying in postage costs and changed my shopping habits.

[DreamlessSleep]

Online as I hate trying to shop with the kids, plys you can get bettet deals searching online and comparing things and using voucher codes and online only promotions.
Plus the bonus that you don't have to carry a whole load of presents round as it gets carried to your doorstep.

I find it useful as I don't drive so its awkward to go christmas shopping etc.

[asuwere]

online - it's too easy to wander aimlessly in a shop and then there's the heat and the people and the music etc... Plus, in a shop, it's sometimes too easy to get distracted and impulse buy - can stick to a budget easier online (although that 1 click ordering on Amazon can be a bit dangerous )

[telsa]

The high street - while it still exists. I love getting a bargain. I love feeling things and trying them out. I could never buy shoes online - and even clothes never work well if I have not tried them out. I love buying what catches my eye at the market - so much cheaper than the supermarket for fruit and veg. I love secondhand shops - better than eBay.

But above all, I cannot bear missing the post and having to go to the depot to pick up online stuff!

[LentilAsAnyFUCKERthing]

Pretty much everything online. How did people cope before Internet shopping?
Groceries are done online, it is so quick and effortless. We top up if we need to during the week, but at least I don't have to lug heavy stuff home any more.
I buy most of DS's toys via Amazon, it is usually better value than anywhere else, and just so easy with the saved address and credit card etc.
I prefer online for mst things because I can price compare more easily, and it saves time.
I mooch about in shops if DS is asleep in his pram, but otherwise, it is a lot of effort.

[ThePearShapedToad]

I shop almost exclusively online now. Apart from major items of clothing which I would prefer to try for fitting purposes such as shoes or a new dress, everything is far easier to do over the internet now

Because my work allows me to be at home for a solid month at a time, I can easily purchase items front my month at home, meaning I don't miss deliveries during a normal 9-5 time.
It is usually cheaper and more efficient to buy online, especially when buying heavy or bulky items which I wouldn't want to have to carry up three flights of stairs myself

The only problem is online shopping at 3am when I have less self control and can't remind myself I have a mortgage to pay!

[ZingWantsCake]

mainly online for most things but food shopping, although I prefer to phone in to place catalogue orders (Lakeland, Next)

[DifferentNow]

I never food shop online as I'm very picky about fresh produce. I need to try clothes on first and my trying to buying ratio would make online shopping a pain so I tend to clothes shop on the high street. I shop for pretty much everything else online though as I have no loyalty to any particular retailer and I want to know that I'm getting the best deal. Shopping online saves me valuable time and saves me money on fuel and parking and by allowing me to use cash back sites. I do enjoy the odd mooch around John Lewis and places like that though for a look at all the pretty things and to give me inspiration at Xmas time and suchlike.

[aga69]

everything online except clothes and shoes, much more convenient with todlders