A recent Visa Canada survey reveals that – more than ever – Canadians are being more frugal with their back to school shopping. It seems like prices keep going up, the school supplies and clothing needed increases (especially in cases where a second or third child enters the school system, adding to the costs) and Canadians are looking for ways to spend less.
90% of Canadian shoppers will be setting a back to school shopping budget, according to the survey, and more and more of these shoppers will be doing their shopping online. In fact, 87% of shoppers in the survey admit to show-rooming – looking at items in store and then searching online to find them for less!
I love online shopping, this my readers already know. Why deal with the crowds and whining kids (your own or other people’s!) when you can shop online from the comfort of your own home and save more money than you would in store.
I was sent Visa gift cards to compare online and in store shopping with Visa. Of course, I jumped to the online shopping first since it’s my favorite!
Popping over to one of my favorite online stores to shop, I found these adorable picks from Gap.ca for my oldest daughter who is starting Kindergarten this fall. Normally, my rule of shopping online is to only purchase items on sale. However, when visiting Gap.ca on this particular day I discovered that they were having a surprise one day sale! Using an online discount code, I saved 35% on each item! So, what would normally be almost $140 came to just shy of $90 using the discount code. I also received free shipping!
If you’re hesitant to shop online with a credit card, fear not. Visa cardholders shopping online can count on several layers of security to protect them including Visa’s Zero Liability Policy, Verified by Visa®, E-Promise, AVS (Address Verification Service) and CVV2 (the three-digit code). These layers of security are there to keep you, the customer, safe.
When given the choice between online shopping and in-store, I’ll always pick online. However, not every store I like to shop at is online and so occasionally I will venture out (without kids when I can!) to check out some of the local businesses or make the 1 hour drive to a larger city to shop to my heart’s content (lunch with friends is always an added bonus!) Given that my next task with Visa was to shop in-store for back to school, I visited a local business (Jeans & Joggers, cute right?) and found that they were clearing out summer stock at 50% off this week! While shorts may not work in the fall for school, short sleeve Hurley and Bench shirts certainly do and for $10, I stocked up on more than a few for my son and daughter! Oh, how I love a great deal!
Of course, I have a giveaway to help with your back to school shopping too!
One of my readers is going to win a $100 Visa Gift Card for back to school shopping! To enter to win, simply use the Rafflecopter form below!
No hassle from sales people
Quick and easy. No line ups or crowds to contend with and I can do it in my PJ’s 🙂
I get mail!! 😀
quick and easy and finding really good deals, it also doesn’t hurt to belong to ebates and get some cash back on your purchases 🙂
I love online shopping and can often find a coupon code to use to make it even more economical.
I love not having to go to the mall, I hate the mall.
Love onine shopping! I always find great deals and delivery is often free and I do not have to get dressed and I can shop at 3:00am if I want 😀
im like you. I have three kids and find venturing out difficult both in my lack of spare time and dealing with 3 kids while trying to look at items
I love shopping old navy/gap and childrens place online and make sure I sign up for email lists to my favourite online store to get awesome discount codes or just get ahead of sales upcoming!!!
I love the convenience of online shopping. No crowds or traffic to fight!
fyi I cant leave a commet on your other post?
Love that I can shop in my pjs and I can do free returns with some stores!!
My favourite thing about online shopping is that I can multitask – it makes me feel better about shopping when I can do it while I’m cleaning the kitchen!
not waiting for my kids to come out of the change rooms is my fav.
Since moving out to the country, I find online shopping so much more convenient and I don’t have to drive the long distance to the city and put up with crazy traffic and crowded malls. I would love to win this.
I hate going to the malls,. Online shopping makes it so much easier. I can stay in my PJ’s and get everything delivered to me door 🙂
No line ups and I can shop in my underwear (I mean in my PJs) 🙂
Best part about online shopping is that i can do it after the kids are in bed!
I dislike the mall, and LOVE getting packages in the mail.
I LOVE online shopping. Discount codes, shipped to my door (sometimes w free shipping!), don’t have to drag the kids around, AND I don’t have to be fully dressed. 😉
My favourite part of online shopping is finding things that are unique and suited to my tastes. I don’t like chain stores as much as interesting online boutiques!
I love that I can do it while I’m at work 🙂
My favourite part of online shopping is being able to sit in my pj’s and order gifts for my kids that will arrive in a plain brown box and no one has a clue!
My favourite part of online shopping is not having to drag my kids around the mall! I can relax and enjoy browsing at night!
Because I don’t have to do my hair and put some make-up before. And I can do online shopping when the kids are sleeping.
no having to find an employee, no rude people butting into line
I love getting parcels in the mail.
I’m not a big fan of online shopping, but there are a few things that I like about it. One being better selection than my small city stores have to offer.
Love that you don’t have to fight the crowds and the selection is better
I love that I have a better chance of my size being available online rather than in-store.
I love that I can shop in my PJ’s and it gets shipped right to me
I love finding the best deals. I love to look back to see how much we save with getting everything we need and want without breaking the bank.
ability to shop 24 hours a day and 7 days a week
Ability to compare prices easily.
My favorite part is being able to do it at any time of the day or night!
No line-ups!
I like being able to browse/order whenever I like, and having the unpressured time to really confirm that the item I’m ordering is what I want.
it is usually cheaper!
I love that I can do it in the comfort of my own home whenever I want. It saves a lot of time. I can shop for merchandise from multiple stores in one sitting. It saves a lot of time for me.
Online shopping is a must where I live in a small rural town. (you havet o take two ferries to get here! ) I like to shop local whenever possible but there are many things that you just can’t get here and so I love the selection and convenience of online shopping.
I love that I can shop from the comfort of home, with a cup of coffee!
I can shop while my kids are in bed and the store never closes, even if it takes me 5 hours to decide lol
wine + no traffic + no kids = pleasant!
+ free money makes it a gazillion times more enjoyable 🙂
I love the lack of crowds & ability to REALLY browse!
I love getting the parcels in the mail. It’s like Christmas
I have not done any online shopping. I have received gifts from family members who do. I am seriously thinking about it with my family living in another province and if I can get items with free shipping.
I love not having to drag the kids out with me. I can just show them online and click buy.
My favorite part is shopping in my pyjamas. Very sweet.
I love that I can shop anytime of the day with no lineups
No driving is the number one best thing about on line shopping. Also it is available when I feel like shopping, no crowds and it is even better if shipping is free.
no crowds, no parking and its at my fingertips whenever I want it to be there
Honestly – I don’t have to get out of my jammies or brush my hair!
I have two favourite parts to online shopping: 1. no crowds or pushy sales people! 2. Getting a big parcel in the mail – so much fun! 🙂 Thanks SO MUCH for the awesome giveaway! I’m entering my 3rd year of grad school, and money is tighter than it’s ever been! this would be a great prize to win!
I love getting mail, no crowds, sometimes the online stores have more inventory of certain items and all the stores are just a click away
I like the convenience of it as it is nice to do it from home and look t different things.
silverneon2000 at yahoo dot com
I love everything about online shopping, but mainly I get to avoid the crowds and not have to get my 2 young children ready and drag them out, especially during the winter months!
No standing in lines
no lines, no crowds and shopping in pj’s
My favourite part of shopping online is the wide variety of things you can get!
Favorite part is the “web only” items and sales!
I LOVE online shopping! Love the convenience of it,not having to tackle the crowds at the stores.
I love that I can very easily shop around to get the best price!
i love how i dont have to get dressed up to go shopping! and i love getting the stuff in the mail!
My favourite parts of online shopping are not having to deal with crowds of people and having the things I want delivered right to my door.
I can do it from the comfort of my home
I love that once you pick an item, you can search to compare prices at different website to get the lowest price you can get and then just buy these things at anytime and at any places
The convenience of shopping late at night, when regular stores would be closed.
Love that I dont have to get the kids all packed up!
I can shop whenever I want!
I don’t have to leave home.
I can shop anytime of the day with no line ups
no need to check sale/clearance selection store by store & delivered to door. Saving time & gas.
my favourite thing about shopping online….no lineup!
My favourite part is looking at your shopping cart before you place your order.. you can review all the stuff you’re getting and think about how cool it’s going to be to get a big package in the mail.
2 favourites for online shopping….getting something different that isn’t always carried at stores or in Canada…and getting the actual parcel delivered 🙂
The ease of staying at home
I love being able to compare and get the best deals without having to physically go to 5 stores!!
I love that you don’t have to leave your computer chair to do it, I love the selection as well
I also like being able to price check multiple places without having to drive all over the place
I like online shopping because I can avoid my summer allergies acting up at stuffy crowded malls and I love that with online shopping I have the ability to get clothing or shoes in my size without having to go outside let alone to more than 1 store location.
the excitement of waiting for the items to arrive at my home
I love that online shopping allows me to easily compare prices and that I can do my shopping at my convenience!
no lines!
I don’t have to put on a bra, lol. I’m not a fan of shopping with my son, this way I can get what I like without having to drag him store to store, no lines, no parking issues, no bad smells and rude people. Just me in my jammies kid playing while I drink a tea and shop <3
being able to compare prices quickly and to also read reviews
The best part is that I can browse for hours (or maybe even days) and there’s no husband or kids around to complain about how long I’m taking!
Being able to shop on my schedule! Day or night, when I want to. And also the day that box comes and you get to open it, its like Christmas!!
shopping when i want to, in my jammies if i want to, and i only shop when i can get free shipping!
I love that it easy to comparison shop, so it’s great to get the best deals that way
No Queues + Online Only Sales = Happy Me
I love being able to shop in my pjs!
I love that I can shop at any hour of the day online.
Not having to go out.
my fave part about online shopping is that I don’t have to get dressed..lol
and there are a lot of cool things offered online
I love having things delivered right to my front door!
The best part of online shopping is I can do it ‘as is’.. I don’t have to get dressed.. or leave my coffee… no putting on make up or doing hair or diggin for something I might feel like wearing when i really just want to be in my pjs!
Convenience! No leaving the house to do the shopping!
When shopping online, you are saving time and money, what’s not to like?
I love on-line shopping as I find I take more time to look for the deals and end up saving more. If I am in the mall I find myself just grabbing things so I can get the heck out of there.
I love online shopping to avoid the crowds. I can also look through sale items easier.
Free shipping, comparison shopping & getting packages in the mail!
inalak at msn dot com
Convenience – I can research online, take my time, and purchase at any time of the day!
I love no parking fiascos!
Taking as long as I want with no sales people hovering around. 🙂
I can relax while I shop online, do some comparison shopping and best of all I can shop in the middle of the night, which I do sometimes.
I love shopping in my pj’s at 2 am
I can comparison shop, shop at any hour that I can find free and I can avoid crowds, all within the comfort of my own jammies!
I love the free shipping, and I can just sit home and shop!! no rush of shopping in the stores
I can shop anytime I want and don’t have to make a decision right away. Also avoiding the crowd and traveling to the stores is also a big plus.
my favorite part of on line shopping is that I can be in my housecoat sipping a cup of coffee, instead of bundling up and going out in -30 degrees
i do 90% of my shopping online! i love being able to search things up quickly and reading reviews on items before purchasing and finding promo codes!
Not having to drive to the city
Not having to leave my home!! 🙂
Whittling away time indoors, away from a storm, and shopping (or web/window shopping) my heart out.
I love online shopping because I can get what I need and not what the kids want (which always end up costing me a fortune) and there is no screaming or whining like there would be if I had to go and shop at a store. Besides, with 1 click you can do all your shopping and that alone saves on gas and time 🙂
I like that I can shop online at any time of day.
I can shop in the middle of the night
The best thing about shopping online for me is that it eliminates impulse shopping. I like to take my time and do some research before I hit the buy/submit button.
The convenience of having it shipped right to my house and often the extra savings.
Online shopping is awesome because I shop anywhere and anytime.
I love that you can see how clothing looks on someone online, rather than on a hanger in stores. Also, not having to get dressed and leave the house is a huge plus!
I love that I don’t hae to fight the crowds to shop online
Saving money!
My favourite part of online shopping is getting items I can’t get here in my small town.
I LOVE online shopping too! It’s so easy, no stress and you can do it from your couch in ur PJs
The convenience and how much time is saved.
Shopping in your PJs.
I don’t have to get dressed or brush my hair lol
Strangely enough, I love online shopping because I love getting stuff in the mail… I get so excited when a parcel arrives 🙂
I love that I don’t have to stand in line!
My favorite part about online shopping is the convenience
I like that I can go back and forth humming and hawing without a sales associate following me around thinking I’m going to nab the goods LOL
Being able to see everything available in a size rather than hunting for it
With online shopping you don’t have any parking problems, no standing in line and no pushy sales people. You can just sit back, relax and take your time.
Shopping online is a treat and when budget permits. I love to shop for my son’s Back To School clothes at Old Navy. I love the blue and grey waffle shirts ….they withstand the wear and tear…trendy and fashionable for my little *FASHION CONSCIOUS SON*
As long as it’s free shipping, then it’s good 🙂
Simply the convenience to shop whenever I want without the hassle of driving everywhere
I will only by if they have a great return policy
I like that you don’t have to leave the house. LOL!
Shopping in the comfort on my home.
I love that I don’t have to leave my house with my 3 kids!
Shopping without getting ready to go out…love comfy pj’s , hot coffee, no make up and if I get free shipping too the world is perfect!
I love being in the comfort of your home to shop, being able to take as much time as you need and to try the clothes in front of your own mirrors!
I love being able to see all of the items on one page instead of having to wander around a store for hours!
shopping without the crowds
I love the convenience
my fav would be NO line ups :))
i love that its easy and comes right to my door!
My favorite part of online shopping is having access to international items that are not available locally … I love to find unique gifts for my loved ones!
I like that you can find more unique things when you shop online.
late night shopping
not having to get dressed up
convenient times
Fave part is the vast selection and not having to drive around for miles and miles to shop and compare inventories and prices.
never having to leave the house with a car full of kids.
the convinence and no nagging hubby saying lets go or crying kids
Getting the package in the mail!
Don’t have to get out of bed. Lol
Not having to dig around to find my size, and getting brand new merchandise, not stuff that has been tried on, stepped on, gotten dusty, dirty, etc.
I love shopping online because I love having stuff delivered to my house! Parcels rule! I also love how easy shopping online makes it to price compare and find whatever I want
I love avoiding the stores!!
quick and more detailed info
The best thing about online shopping is nobody sees me…I can do this before going to sleep at night 🙂
You find things you don’t see in stores
quick and easy and can be done within the comfort of your home 🙂
I love getting great deals and the thrill of packages being delivered
Never leaving your house!
My favourite part of online shopping is getting airmiles reward miles for shopping through airmilesshops.com! I haven’t tried swagbucks yet but I hear its good too.
I love the fact you know instantly if the item you are looking for is in stock! No parking and finding a sales person only to find out they don’t have it and having to drive to another store and so on and so on.
comparing products and reading full details about it
favourite part is the lack of crowds
I like that I can do it any time of day – it can be done late at night or early in the morning when the local stores aren’t open.
I don’t have to load the kids in the car.
I like shopping online if you have a bit of time to make a decision and can utilize “social shopping” and get the opinions of others etc. I also like it because it is so easy to price compare.
I love that I can almost always find my size. Plus, I love getting packages at home 🙂
I like finding the hard-to-find item that is either rare or sold out locally.
no lining up to pay
avoiding the crowds!
Love online only specials
My favourite part of online shopping is being able to avoid the crowds!
My favorite thing about online shopping is convenience. No crowds, no lineups and you can search with your mouse.
I love being able to compare prices easily online! 🙂
I love that you you save gas by shopping online! 🙂
No waiting in line ups, delivered right to my door.
not having to leave the house
My favourite part is avoiding the long lineups and there are so many choices at your fingertips.
I don’t have to stand in any lines would have to be my favourite reason to stay home and shop online…no chaos!
I like shopping online because I noticed there are more choices than in the stores . I also get to avoid the line-ups especially with two girls who get bored shopping after awhile.
Best part is no screaming children/adults, lineups, empty shelves..but the best part is…I can shop online in my pjs..woohoo!
Being able to shop in my pj’s!
I love not having to wait in line as well as most places offer free shipping.
Can shop in pjs! 🙂
i love being in the comfort of my own home, especially since i don’t have a car to carry all my goods home!
Being able to avoid lines and shopping in my PJ’s.
I can shop from the convenience of my home, I don’t have to put up with crowds at the mall.
Waiting for the mailman to deliver packages!! BEST PART EVER!