Commerce

Has ICT had a personal effect on the way people shop?

ICT has had quite a profound effect on the way I shop. Before I make a purchase, especially a large one, I make sure that I have got the best deal available ‘online’ or ‘offline.’ Online shopping is convenient and prices are often quite a bit cheaper than those found on the high-street. I can also purchase items from overseas which are not available in this country.

ICT has been used in normal everyday shopping for quite sometime now, credit cards and debit cards including the newly introduced 'chip and pin', computerised tills, price scanners all involve the use of computers. It is obvious that any creditable company would not be able to survive without implementing ICT in some form. And it is my belief that any large business which does not have a decent web site or online service channel is missing out on a huge potential market.

However, there is a downside; you lose the ‘human’ aspect to shopping. Shopping in the High Street with friends has a social side that is missing when shopping over the internet. Customer service is reduced to dealing with a computer rather than a person. It is not possible to see, touch or try the product before you buy. There is a delay before you receive the item and you may have to pay shipping costs. Goods that on receipt are found to be unsatisfactory need to be returned and this often means that the recipient has to pay an additional postage charge.

Online shopping has both good and bad points. Prices online vary a great deal, but the customer service just is not as human. With the advance of the internet individuals are able to shop globally. The impact of ICT has given people more choice of how, where and when they are going to shop. It has created a self-serving environment which can be good or bad depending on how one views life.

Click next to find out about the positive and negative effects ICT has had on banking…