Shopping online can save you money. Transport costs, import tariffs, and the small size of the New Zealand market can all add to the price of goods in local shops. It's also easy to find information on products and compare prices.
If you have a hobby or sport that requires specialist parts, an online store may give you more variety. And if you can't handle the stress of finding parks and standing in queues, online shopping may be ideal.
The New Zealand dollar (NZD) is strong right now so buying online from an overseas retailer can be a smart move. But there's a few things to ask yourself before you buy:
- What's the total cost? Several products we researched looked cheaper on overseas sites. But that changed once we'd converted into New Zealand dollars, and added shipping costs and customs duty.
- Are the online savings enough to warrant the added stress? Online shopping retailers are often a few thousand kilometres away. They're not covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act, and sorting out problems can prove difficult via email.
Our Safe shopping checklist has more tips about shopping online.
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