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

[domesticslattern]

I mainly buy fruit, veg, meat etc. from local independent shops as I love my local high street and don't want to see it close down. The same for book as I love browsing in real bookshops in preference to tax avoiding Amazon, even if I end up paying a premium for it. However, I do do a massive Ocado shop about once a month as trailing around a supermarket with two DC is my idea of hell on wheels.
Online clothes shopping never ever works for me. I must be a funny shape or something. It is always disappointing. I am amazed that people do it successfully. Whenever I unwrap the parcel it is never quite what I expected! And the DC get most of their clothes from charity shops and jumble sales, so no online shopping for them either.

[Whojamaflip]

we live in the back of beyond and it is a good hours drive to anywhere with a decent selection if shops.

so nearly everything is bought online, apart from fresh meat and veg which I get at the farm shop about 5 miles away.

[NowWhatIsit]

I do all regular food shopping online, so much easier with kids and work. Do top up shops where I can to select nice fruit and veg etc. I suppose I miss selecting whatever looks nice in the shop on the day, and having to be disciplined about meal planning is annoying but probably works out more economically.

Clothes I prefer to buy in person as faffing about sending them back 100 times is just annoying. But uniform or stuff I know will fit, definitely online.

[SaltySeaBird]

I like a mix of both. I do buy a lot online including books, clothes and groceries. I do also like buying in shops. I enjoy seeing the displays and finding new products by just browsing. My online shopping tends to be focused on what I need, I'll search for something specific.

I rarely buy cosmetics online, I always get these in store.

I don't like paying for delivery or returns and avoid companies that have both charges. So often I am disappointed in things as they aren't what I was expecting when I see them in the flesh!

[unquietmind]

Varies. Online for bargains for specific items and convenience, high street is more for window shopping for inspiration for online cheaper options unless I'm after charity shop bargains

[cluttered]

Sometimes a mixture, to avoid delivery charges and also to avoid having to wait inside all day for a delivery, when I know exactly what I want I like to order online but collect in store. This is definitely necessary for things like shoes for my DC who have very standard sized feet but will be set on one item which is guaranteed not to be in stock in their size.

Otherwise I will order online for home delivery if I know the retailer uses DPD couriers who give a very narrow time slot and always come within this. I also order loads from Amazon, although sometimes they use rubbish couriers I don't mind too much because I have Amazon Prime and any problem they extend my membership so haven't actually paid for it for ages! Books I always get online, more and more electronically.

Food shopping I use a vegetable box scheme which is ordered online but I'm not organised enough to do a big supermarket shop online, I normally pop in every few days during the day when it's quiet. Clothes and shoes for me I also go into the shop as can never tell what will fit.

[tethersend]

Sending back ill fitting clothes is a small price to pay for not having to drag a screaming toddler into changing rooms.

Nothing looks good when you're hot, flustered, full of rage and singing Wheels on the Bus for the fiftieth time.

[tethersend]

And Supermarkets are suburbs of Hades itself, so Internet grocery shopping is a no-brainer.

[Tortoise]

Main food shop is done online, other small bits picked up when needed from shops in small town I live in.
Most other purchases are online especially ebay! It's just easier. I prefer to try clothing on in my own home.

[plinkyplonks]

Mostly online. I use my Barclaycard online for the credit card protection I get, as well as getting great cashback rates via cashback sites. This is particularly helpful when purchasing electrical items or bulky items. I would like to go to the high street to see the Christmas lights and browse the Christmas market. It can be very busy though, with lots of parking stress and people bumping into you. I do like going to the high street through for gift ideas for close family and friends, as well as impulse purchases!

[nannynick]

I used to like online but getting deliveries is a problem. Click&Collect is great, delivery to a local store so I can pick up at my leisure. Collect+ is useful as like Click&Collect the package is kept at a place where I can pick it up.

However I do like going around the highstreet and retail parks. I like getting inspiration for things, some people are really hard to buy presents for so you can't just search online for something as you don't know what you are looking for whereas you can wonder around the highstreet and something may grab your attention. Plus there are lots of coffee shops, so places to have a break. I also like being able to buy things now... not wait a few days, the get it instantly thing is especially helpful when it is a last minute purchase. Swipe (well these days stick the card in and enter pin) the credit card and I can walk out of the store with my purchase.

There are some advantages to online. Say someone wants something specific, such as wetsuit boots and tells you where to get them from, brand, size etc. It is then simple to order online and get the item delivered directly to the person. Great for birthday and xmas presents but you do need to know what to buy.

Instant purchase online is something I have been getting into recently. Video on Demand has become reality and instead of buying a DVD, I can pay online and then watch it immediately, streaming it over the internet, or downloading to watch later. It works well for Music and Video, plus now that I have an iPad it works well for playing games.

As technology has moved forward the highstreet I feel has changed. Retailers are giving us more options of how to buy things, we can go into stores to look, feel and smell products (walk past a Lush store and you smell the products) and can buy instantly or buy later online.
Love a product you brought in the highstreet shop and need another one, no problem just order it online.

[Pistillate]

Wow, I am definately behind with the times! So many people are doing the majority of their shopping online, and saying it is less stressful! Maybe I should try it again.

I agree with a pp who said supermarkets are a suburb of hell.... So I avoid them. I find aldi/ lidl not so awful, plus conveniently situated near local library so I can drop the kids off there while I do a 10 minute whizz round.

Other than that I shop at the local market which I fortunately work very close too, and I can get my veg, fruit, meat cheese and some staples from.


As for other sorts of shopping, I love making a list with the kids, and hitting the shops with them. we do this approx 4 times per year. I love being able to suggest various combinations of clothes to the kids and them say no, or yes. I think it is good for them to see the clothes in the flesh and think for themselves whether they go with each other, what else they have got that they might go with them.

I guess I don't actually do that much shopping, so I really don't have a problem with shopping that I need to solve with online shopping.

Things I do buy online .... Yarn to be sent directly to the knitter in the family for the kids hand knits. Travel tickets. In the past I have used amazon and eBay, but not now since last Christmas.


Lots of keen online shoppers seem to have toddler age children..... I wonder if other parents of slightly older children find shopping on the high street more enjoyable?

[Pistillate]

Also my dd was given a book token for her birthday, and I think she will end up spending it online. (if she can) because we have one bookseller in town with a children's section, and it is so full of rainbow magic and the like it is really hard for her to find anything she likes.

[HelloBoys]

For clothes generally it's instore - other stuff like gifts etc online.

Reasons for clothes as they can vary so much and if items don't fit and there's no free returns you can end up paying twice for postage.

Only place I would buy online for clothes would be BrandAlley but check the sizing beforehand so I moreorless know what fits. and they do free returns.

You can't beat online (especially Amazon etc) for gifts though.

[manfalou]

For me it depends.

Clothes I Have to buy inshore because I need to try them on, no clothes ever look like they actually do in pictures. I always do my main food shop online as its more convenient and saves me time and money as I don't get drawn into the end of aisle offers. Plus shopping with two kids isn't the most fun tasks ever. Everything else we buy online as you can get discount codes, compare prices, do the price match thing and most of the time you can get free delivery too.

[AllThatGlistens]

As a parent to disabled DCs, online shopping is infinitely easier for our family.

However, it has changed where I shop, as I find that some stores/ supermarkets quality and delivery processes are far superior to others and that plays a big part in where we spend our money.

[NettleTea]

I love online as I dont have to get cold, wet, or shoved about, nor do I have to find and pay for parking. You can get the best prices and compare sites and usually get free delivery.
Food I do in person though, as am not organised enough, and often dont know what I want until I see it.
I like to go out 'window shopping' although ironically I usually dont end up buying, just spend the day looking!

[ladygoingGaga]

I do a mixture.
I buy groceries in store as I shop in Aldi.

Generally if I know what I want then I spend time looking online looking for cheapest deal etc

If I'm not sure what I want either a present for someone, or just want a new item of clothing with no specific idea then I head to the high street for inspiration, as I find looking online if you are not sure a nightmare!

[Cherryjellybean]

We buy electrical items, books and toys online, as its usually cheaper on sites like amazon than in the shops. I food shop in the supermarket otherwise I will forget something.
The only thing I go to the high street for is clothes in the sales- although I buy most clothes I need on eBay now :)

[stephgr]

I shop online for everything except when it's a major purchase like a car. I find it so much easier and more convenient plus I save money by using cashback websites. The only problem I have is with clothes and shoes because often the items don't fit or don't look as good as they do on the website. I do spend quite a lot of time returning items and I look out for companies which let you return items free of charge.

[MoldieOldNaiceHam]

Food shopping in store because I like to see how fresh things are. Everything else online. I hate shop changing rooms and would much rather try things on at home.

[Ireallymustbemad]

I buy most things online. The exception is clothing as it never looks the same on me as the model and you can't feel the fabric through the computer screen. I can't be bothered to keep sending stuff back!

[iwanttoscream]

Brought a few things online ie books, dvds, but clothes and shoes from high street shops. Beginning to look at online prices before going out to compare prices.

[WhyIRayLiotta]

Books / Music / most gifts I but online.

Clothes / shoes / house stuff and food I prefer to buy in stores. I like to feel material and be sure of sizes. I like to get meat from the butcher on the way home some evenings and to pick fruit and veg the way I like them. I've done the food shop online a few times. But I prefer doing it myself.

[Kipsy]

I do about 90% of all shopping online.

Grocery shopping

• Quicker to add items - you just need to add all your favourites into your basket in one shot, easier to evaluate offers
• More flexible - if a critical ingredient is out of stock, you can empty basket and add items from a different recipe
• Easier on your nerves and on your back - No standing in checkouts, pushing runaway trolleys from supermarket->car or lugging full reusable bags from boot to kitchen
• Cheaper - in many cases delivery charges are cheaper than a supermarket run, especially if you are the kind to be tempted by non-essentials like fresh jammy doughnuts or flowers or magazines

Clothes/Shoes

• All clothes/shoes for children are bought online, DD finds shopping in actual shops dead boring and tiring. I point out the various choices on the computer and she picks what she likes, so it is not like she is missing out on much. I order 2 sizes and return the ones that don't fit.
• For myself and DH we buy in actual shops as I like to see how it actually looks and fits

Books/Toys

• Always online, it's cheaper, and almost always in stock.

TBH, I think the only time I step into shops is to

• Buy groceries that I've forgotten or top up with milk/bread
• Return items