And I am telling you all this as a person that hates shopping in person.
And I am telling you all this as a person that hates shopping in person.
I don't know if similar applies to the US, but at least in the UK you get stronger protections when buying online (because you can't inspect the item before hand). If I buy stuff in person, then find it is not suitable for what I need, I might be stuck with it depending on the store (assuming it is as described and not faulty). If I buy it online, I can just send it back (possibly paying postage costs, but most places offer free returns).
For instance I've got a external hard drive on its way back to Amazon because, after testing, found that the performance isn't up to snuff. Had I purchased it in person, I may not have been able to return after use (because the packaging doesn't make any claims regarding performance, it'd be difficult to claim it is faulty/not as described).
Bigger marketplace/choices
Convenience - I don't have to wait until the store opens. I don't have to drive around to 10 different stores for 10 different products
Not everyone has has easy access to the stores they need to go to
Price
Time - I can order a pan while waiting for a client to arrive or commuting on the train.
Search and comparison tools
(There's disadvantages too, of course.)