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These Days Many People Prefer Online Shopping to Conventional Shopping - IELTS Band 9 Essay


These Days Many People Prefer Online Shopping to Conventional Shopping - IELTS Band 9 Essay

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Model Essay 1

Online shopping has revolutionized the way we buy products, offering distinct benefits and notable drawbacks. This essay will critically analyse the advantages of effortless access and competitive pricing offered by online shopping, while also exploring the disadvantages, including potential dissatisfaction with products and the propensity for impulsive purchases.


One of the primary advantages of online shopping is the unmatched convenience it offers. Unlike traditional retail outlets, which are constrained by store hours, online stores are accessible 24/7, allowing consumers to shop at their leisure, irrespective of their geographic location. This constant availability is particularly beneficial for residents in remote or rural areas, who might not have access to brick-and-mortar stores nearby. Furthermore, online platforms frequently host sales events featuring significantly reduced prices due to the fierce competition among e-commerce businesses. For instance, major online retailers like Amazon and Alibaba offer annual events such as Black Friday or Singles Day. These events not only provide substantial discounts but also a wide array of product choices, including exclusive items that are often not available in physical stores, enhancing consumer choice and accessibility.


However, online shopping is not without its drawbacks. The primary issue is the inability to physically examine products before purchase, which can lead to dissatisfaction upon delivery. For example, a garment might look appealing online but fail to meet expectations in terms of fit or fabric quality, resulting in a cumbersome return process that not only wastes time but also resources. Moreover, the ease and convenience of browsing from one's home can inadvertently lead to impulse purchases. Psychological studies suggest that the immediate gratification offered by online shopping can increase spontaneous spending, impacting financial management and consumer welfare. This phenomenon is particularly concerning as it can exacerbate uncontrolled buying habits, leading to financial strain and accumulation of unnecessary goods.


In essence, online shopping offers remarkable convenience and cost benefits, vastly expanding consumer choice. However, it also bears drawbacks such as the risk of receiving unsatisfactory products and fostering impulsive buying behaviours. These factors collectively shape the modern shopping experience, highlighting both its efficiency and its pitfalls.


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Model Essay 2

Individuals tend to do online shopping rather than the traditional one. While affordable prices and the range of products are benefits of this tendency, there are some drawbacks such as wasting time and taking risks.


As regards positive effects of online shopping, it is more likely to access a wide range of items with affordable prices. There is a big competition among companies in order to sell their products. Therefore, some firms decrease the prices from time to time, and they inform their customers about the sales via either emails or text messages. Additionally, many people do not have a chance to go to the stores because of their hectic schedule. As a result, people would prefer to search their needs online, and they could opt for the most affordable ones among many choices. Despite these benefits, online shopping has some negative effects as well.


Firstly, for some people this activity is quite time-consuming because of their personalities. To be more precise, some individuals are so indecisive that they could seek from one website to another one even if they face a wide range of products on the earlier website. Consequently, they spend their time searching for the most attractive one. Secondly, online shopping does not provide an opportunity to try some items, such as clothes. When you receive your order, you may be disappointed with its size. Consequently, you may have to select a new one to order, which is time-consuming as well.


In conclusion, online shopping has some advantages and disadvantages. While competitive prices and variety are of its benefits, wasting time and purchasing your needs without experiencing are their drawbacks.


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