We've all felt that twinge of uncertainty when making a purchase online. It's cheaper, but we worry that by buying sight unseen, we won't receive exactly what we anticipated.
That's why more shoppers, especially during the holiday season, are "showrooming."
Showroomers experiment with products in-store then buy them online later for less money. The trend is hitting big retailers like Best Buy and Walmart, as customers use the brick-and-mortar stores to test-drive devices like smartphones and e-readers before buying from retailers like Amazon, where products are cheaper on average.
In fact, more than half of showroomers head straight to Amazon, while only 3% are likely to try eBay or Walmart.com. The trend has led some retailers to initiate online price-matching or to stop carrying certain products altogether.
But what could the trend of showrooming mean to you, the consumer? Check out this infographic, courtesy of CouponChief.com, to get up to speed.
Do you have any online shopping tips? Share them with us in the comments.
Thumbnail image courtesy of Flickr, The Intel Free Press