There's a reason why the UK loves online shopping even more than the rest of the world, and it's probably the fact we get to avoid the general public.
Not to mention the great deals, no queues and next day delivery.
But where online shopping giveth, online shopping taketh away. It's just a huge rollercoaster of spending emotion out there. Here are the highs and lows we go through on a daily basis...
High: The fact that you can do all of your shopping on your lunch break from the comfort of your desk.
Low: If only you could trust the sizes.
Low: Getting the "we tried to deliver your item but you were out" card.
Low: All of that excess packaging *shudders*.
Low: When the fabric looked like silk in the picture but in real life it feels like cardboard toilet paper.
Low: Finding something you like at a great price, getting really excited. Click on it, only size left is XXS.
High: Once you know your size and the style you like, never, ever having to do jeans shopping IRL again
High: ASOS free returns
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Low: Finding out you have to pay for other returns
Low: When a dress from eBay arrives and looks like a £10 jobby from one of those cheapie high street clothes shops which sells diamante shoes and knock-off pashminas.
Low: When something looks amazing on the model so you order it, but it's completely misshapen and a different colour and you look like a sack.
High: Deciding that you have to have something when you're drunk, then it turning up three days later when you've lost all recollection of ordering it.
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High: You no longer have to elbow someone in the face who has just grabbed the top you put down for a millisecond.
Low: Sending something back for an exchange and it taking so long that the item sells out
Pro: Comparison Shopping Is Easier Online(01 of11)
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It's so much easier to comparison shop online, not just comparing different brands of items, but comparing different online sites for prices. You might not have the pleasure of holding the items in your hands, but you have the ease. (credit:alamy)
Con: You Can't Use Cash Or Check Online(02 of11)
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Online, you really can only use a credit card, so if you were planning on paying with cash or check, you're out of luck. (credit:alamy)
Pro: Finding Something Is Easier Online(03 of11)
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Sometimes trying to fin an ingredient in the super supermarket can be frustrating, and when you can't find a salesperson to help you it's even more so. Online all you do is type in the ingredient into the search box. (credit:Getty Images)
Con: You Can't Hand-Pick Your Items(04 of11)
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Unfortunately you don't get to pick your own food when shopping online. The person who compiles your order does all that for you. So you're bound to get a bad apple or two, a fattier cut of meat or a a container of milk set to expire soon. (credit:alamy)
Pro: Add An Item In Case You Left Something Off The List(05 of11)
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If you've ever left the supermarket and realized on the way home you forgot milk, this will appeal to you. Up until the day of delivery, you can add items to your grocery order online. So if you forgot to add milk, eggs or whatever, you still have a chance to add it to your order. (credit:Jupiterimages)
Con: Couponing Lag(06 of11)
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Couponing can be done online and you can even use lots of online coupon sites or online deals, but you initially are charged for the full price of your order -- coupon savings are only subtracted much later after the delivery person has put them through processing. (credit:Getty Images)
Pro: Shop In Comfort(07 of11)
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What could be more easy than shopping in the comfort of your own home? You don't have to lift a finger except to type and use your mouse. All the work is done for you including the bagging and delivery of your food. (credit:Jupiterimages)
Con: Shopping Online Is Anti-Social(08 of11)
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Online shopping is not for those who like interpersonal communication -- talking to salespeople, bumping into neighbors and friends, and generally enjoying shopping with other people. (credit:alamy)
Pro: You Can Shop Online 24/7(09 of11)
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You're never restricted to store hours when you shop online. You can do it whenever it's convenient for you and you never have to worry about getting in before the crowds, like on the weekends.Photo from ilovememphis, Flickr. (credit:Flickr: ilovememphis)
Con: Waiting For Delivery(10 of11)
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Obviously when you buy online you can't get your order immediately -- usually it takes up to 1 day to get your order and of course you have to pay for delivery costs. Luckily many online grocers have deals for first-time customers, but after that the delivery cost can range in price depending on time of delivery. (credit:Getty Images)
Pro: Shopping Online Has No Long Lines(11 of11)
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Shopping online never has lines. Period. Who wants to wait in one especially when your time is precious, like on the weekends?Photo from anokarina, Flickr. (credit:Flickr: anokarina)