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

[craftynclothy]

We used to shop online for food as I found it a good way to stick to a budget but we've now switched to Aldi for most of our shopping and they don't do online.

I've done pretty much all my Xmas shopping online this year. There are so many more discounts for shopping online and they usually outweigh the postage costs. There's the benefits of cashback too.

We do still go to actual shops too. Usually for things I either can't get quickly enough (i.e. need that day) or I want to see in the flesh.

[Glitterfairys]

I buy groceries online occasionally or if there is something specific which I know is cheaper to buy online or I'm looking for Christmas presents but most of the time I tend to go to the shops as I think you can find the better deals. Today I went to our local Tesco where they have discontinued a lot of there baking stuff and are selling it ridiculously cheap, this doesn't always seem to be the case online though so it's worth a look .

[Purplehonesty]

I do my food shopping in an actual shop while Ds is at nursery but I order things like gifts, books, DVDs, toys online. Can't be bothered to trek round the shops looking for what I want when it's probably cheaper on amazon and usually free delivery.
Clothes I tend to buy in person but order dh's online as men are so much more standard sized! Kids clothes in one swoop in next once a season topped up with online bits.
I'm a childminder so very often I've got four children at home with me and weekends are too precious to fight the crowds in town.

[talkingnonsense]

I prefer real life shopping, but it drives me mad that online is cheaper, but you have to get a code, or a cash back, and it all gets so complicated! I end up not buying anything, in case I can get it cheaper somewhere else.

[sealight123]

I am hesitant for shopping online purely as nothing every turns up in the amount of time that is stated and sometimes (when it comes to food shops) things are missing lol Its more fuss trying to return faulty items...its all just a palarva. One scenario I had with online foodshops- I ordered 2 boxes of red hair dye to do my thick hair...I got 2 substitutes...1 blonde and 1 black...how...HOW?! lol

I do love a good browse in a shop though...aslong as it's at the right time...never a weekend... never at dinner time :)

I just love shopping :) xxxxx

[fourmonthstogo]

high street shopping vs shopping online – which is best and why?

Definitely a place for both, my DD seems to enjoy shopping (until she gets bored anyway!) Although it is easier to compare prices online, and you seem to get better offers, I also like to see things before buying. I don't like having to go and collect deliveries from some depot miles away, defeats the object of home delivery.

[MyNameIsInigoMontoya]

I like going round the shops, but hardly get the chance to go any more... so combined with the fact I can't easily get the styles of clothes I like round here, I do most of my clothes shopping online now - even though I don't like sending things back. Presents are usually easier to get online too. Kids' clothes are a mixture of online (but usually only if I can get free store collection) or instore - I can't be doing with paying lots of postage on relatively cheap items.

I have never really clicked with online food shopping though - one problem is you need to do it ahead of time and we often aren't that organised or don't know exactly what we'll be doing when in advance, plus you can't easily check dates, so there's the risk of ending up with too much short-dated stuff. Also it still seems to take us a long time, and I find it easier to think of what to get if I go instore and look on the shelves - with online shopping things don't catch your eye the same way (and I often need some inspiration re what to cook). But if we were a bit more organised we'd probably do it more.

[HoneyDragon]

I shop locally whenever I can price permitting, and online for high street stores. As traveling to the nearest large town isn't worth it, as they aren't up to scratch and never have much stock.

I tart around the supermarkets so I get better voucher offers

[aristocat]

I also still do both. Food shopping is always done by me, I do not care for someone else choosing my fruit/vegetables.

I like to compare prices for clothes, electricals, books and toys online and then decide where to purchase.

Browsing around shops is also definitely for me I can easily waste a few hours just looking.....

[Snuppeline]

I much prefer shopping online. Postage charges or delivery charges can be a drawback but then again parking charges can amount to the same or more. I like the oversight I get when browsing something online. A good website is key though, whether I shop for groceries or clothes/toys/household items.

My preference for online shopping comes as a result of having a family and working full time. I have no time to 'go shopping' anymore. If I do it is normally during seasons such as Christmas to soak up the atmosphere (and panic by a last present!).

I am sad at what my online shopping may be doing to the high street but can't see how I can square that one without more free parking, wider pavements (for walking with a pram) and some child related service (think crèche like in IKEA or a gym).

Righto that was my tuppence worth!

[DwellsUndertheSink]

i very occasionally venture into the city to shop, but the cost of parking (£1.20 per hour) plus the stress of finding parking - or the alternate stress of park and ride and having to wait up to 20 minutes for a bus back to my car.... plus hassle of taking a toddler in a pushchair around the shops - nightmare. SO much easier to shop online. I do go in for shoes and clothing, and there is one particular toy shop which I love to browse in, but otherwise its online.

I do shop in supermarkets in person as like others, im dissapointed with the quality picking and also with the cost of home delivery. I once ordered yellow onions. There was no alternative onion, apparently.

I find that the supermarkets stock most things I would need on a day-to-day basis, and Amazon is, despite their tax dodging ways, still a reliable and hassle free option for most else.

[MadMonkeys]

I buy nearly everything online. I find it so much easier to compare prices online. The exception is clothes and shoes, which i prefer to try before,buying but i do sometimes risk it online then return if there not suitable.

[ParkerTheThief]

Online for nearly everything.


We live in a very rural location so the practicality of online shopping is great.

I love having my groceries delivered because of the time it saves me.

I recently spent a week in a city and started off thinking howngreatbit would be to go 'proper' shopping. The truth is I found it totally overwhelming, standing in a huge department store like John Lewis I lose the will to shop as there is too much stuff nd I can't filter through it to find the things I want.

[rallytog1]

I buy most things online. Shopping I'd so much more of an expedition now I have a baby. Still love wandering round the shops, it's just more difficult nowadays.

[nerysw]

I do like trying clothes and shoes on as you can't get a feel of them or see if they fit online. I do buy a lot of gifts, gadgets and books, games etc online. I like to research things first and by being a member of an online survey site I build up a nice pay pal balance to spend online. Grocery shopping online was great while I was on maternity leave and couldn't drive or lift but these days I prefer shopping in person (because I'm mean and like to check the reduced section!).
My colleagues shop online a lot and get all of their stuff delivered to work which is a great idea.

[StainlessSteelCat]

if I know exactly what I'm getting, or exact size/colour isn't important, then online shopping is wonderful. no crowds, parking, bored children, tempting snacks, not finding your size.

if I'm less certain what I want, or fit is an issue then high street. can see exact colour, try it on, and feel the texture.

so I like a mixture. lack of time and young children means online saves me time, and I find things I don't see in the shops. real shops are more of an event, I take my time and browse.

[Badvoc]

An example from this morning....
I have treated myself to a new food mixer from lakeland.
Because it was over £50 I got free delivery AND a free naked wines £50 voucher as ling as you pay delivery charge of £4.99!!
So...a gift for me and 6 bottles of wine for gifts/parties over Xmas.
Marvellous :)
And all done whilst sitting in my pjs drinking coffee :)
Oh! And I forgot he great bargains I have had on e bay! I got a bundle of designer clothes for my youngest son earlier this year for £11 - some of her stuff had never been worn a Nd still had tags on! And yesterday my dh picked up a toy I won. New they are £70. Got it for £20 and it's pristine.
Very chuffed :)

[MrsKwazii]

I've recently gone back to ordering food shopping online, mainly because of having had another child - making going to the supermarket a military exercise - and because of the introduction of delivery passes, making deliveries much more cost effective. I've just paid £15 for a three month delivery pass.

I also tend to shop online for gifts. Not On The High Street is fabulous, supporting small businesses and giving you much more choice and personalisation options that could ever be available from a physical shop.

When it comes to clothes and shoes I much prefer to buy from a shop. I like to see and feel products before I buy them and try them on. Especially as returning products bought online that turnout to be unsuitable can be a right faff.

One thing I do when out shopping is to check on certain branded items whether they are cheaper elsewhere or online. I have a few barcode scanner apps that compare prices. I also use the Amazon app to scan items to see if I can save money. We have Amazon Prime, meaning that for a one-off annual payment lots of Amazon-listed products are delivered to us at no cost on a next day delivery service. It's brilliant, and I can even send items as gift-wrapped presents if I want to - great for last-minute presents!

[WildThongsHeartString]

Online all the way with the proviso that I get free delivery and returns. I can't see myself ever going back to fighting through crowds, cold wet weather outside then overheated stuffy shops inside (shudder). Online shopping and using a cashback website e.g. Quidco can also save me money, but I think I tend to buy more than I need as it's all too easy to sit on the sofa, browse and shop.

In terms of brand loyalty, I do go back again and again to the online retailers who give good service but shopping online also gives me the opportunity to try different things that you don't routinely come across on the high street.

[k8vincent]

I do most of my shopping online these days, but seem to waste an awful lot of time trying to find the best deal. I'm sure I could be doing something far more useful with my time. The biggest problem with online shopping is buying clothes for myself - I can never be sure things will fit properly.

I actually went and shopped on the high street earlier this week. TBH it was a rather unsatisfying experience as I had specifically gone to get 3 items from 2 shops and none of the items I wanted were in stock. I did get a lot of exercise in wandering back and forth between different shops though.

[BoyGirlBoy3]

Food shopping - online
Christmas gifts - online
still like to go shopping for birthdays and food top ups

[BigStyleee]

Will usually buy clothes and shoes in shops as can't be bothered with hassle of returning clothes that don't fit.

However will browse shops and if I see something I like will go and buy same off internet after comparing prices. EG /went into Mothercare to buy a new car seat - saw what I wanted, but not in the right colour - they suggested I buy from their online store - but saw it for about £40 cheaper elsewhere online.

Internet also really good for buying unusual personalised gifts.

[RustyBear]

I only shop online if it's small enough to fit through the letterbox, or if I can get it delivered to work - otherwise there are too many delivery problems.

But I do like browsing in real shops, and try to support the dwindling high street -only last month a Mumsnetter had to close her bookshop and turn to online selling, losing the story times that many children enjoyed.

Also, online it's much too easy to just keep clicking and spend more than you meant - at least having to carry it home means you might think twice!

[roguepixie]

I used to love a wander around the shops but find the horror that is shopping as we get closer to Christmas puts me off. I tend now to do much more of my shopping on line - food shopping is online as is any lego ordering (for DS) - you get VIP points and an exceptional service.

On-line means you don't have to put up with poor service and misleading stock levels. Often-times P&P is free online so you aren't even paying more for that.

So, on-line for me...all the way.

[Princessdivaaa]

Weekly food shop is done on-line but I usually pop in once a week to have a look at offers / what's new or top up with fresh produce or stuff we've run out of..

Other shopping (clothes, shoes, presents etc) I prefer to go shopping and visit stores to look and feel the items, but working full time now and having 2 children (5 and 3 years) this isn't practical and too time consuming! So for the time being its online shopping...