It’s time for back to school shopping… Yeah… Ugghh! I go through the same dilemma every year with four kids to shop for. Do we divide and conquer or shop for everyone all at once? Do we shop online or make a trip to the mall?
On one hand it’s fun to browse the store fronts and see what’s new and trendy. On the other hand, it’s a huge chore keeping all the kids occupied while focusing on picking up the right sizes and keep track of how much we’re spending.
The internet has been a great tool for our shopping dilemma. Visiting a store’s website before carting the kids off to the mall has made life much easier on a number of levels. It helps us devise a plan of what we need to acquire, which stores to visit and avoids the inevitable “I don’t like that” fashion squabbles.
If you are the type of shopper who prefers to see garments first hand, you can still pre-shop online. This will help narrow down the styles your child likes for the season while keeping the price in check. It’s also nice to have the option of ordering via the web if an item is sold out in stores. If you’re not thrilled with the quality, there’s no obligation to buy.
If you are not a tactile shopper, virtual shopping can be fun and ease the stress of the school shopping hustle and bustle. Shop the stores where you are familiar with the quality and sizing and you most likely won’t be disappointed. Many children’s clothing retailers offer discounts and reduced or even free shipping, especially this time of year. All around it’s a winning situation.
Whichever way you choose to shop, we hope you do take the time to buy quality and consciously enjoy the experience with your kids.
Are you a virtual back-to-school shopper? Share your experiences and tips below. We’d love to hear from you!