Do you love it or do you avoid it?
Depends on a few things. It's a mixed bag, understandably. I always check out an unfamiliar vendor on resellerratings.com for computer parts and/or shipping nightmares. FIRST AND FOREMOST every online vendor I shop at is reputable, and seemingly the reputable have the following things in common.
1. Fair return policies
2. Fast Shipping
2 1/2. Free Shipping (or cheap)
3. Account Management options (save your CC info for next time)
4. Little to no hassle when dealing with returns
5. Allow honest opinions and feedback to remain on their site. (newegg vs gamestop)
What are your reasons for doing so?
Rarity of vendors/sources for my music tastes, and the fact that retail prices on computer parts are for SUCKERS.
What sites do you prefer and why?
http://www.beatport.com - Very large selection of my favorite genre's Makes iTunes look like a pansy arsed sissy boy. Saves my info, recommends selections based on buyer trends stemming from what I'm listening to at the moment, other non issues for me though that would appeal to a select market is the fact that it's integrated straight in to Traktor DJ software
http://www.newegg.com - Immortal reputation, Account management, Order History, Fast, cheap, it's a dream vendor. What newegg does, follow that.
http://www.Zappos.com - Ever try to buy shoes in the mall when you're lucky if they carrry a 14 and you happen to walk on 15/16's (depending on the maker of the shoe I suppose) Free shipping, Free return policy, risk free online shopping. Huge Selection. I love these guys. I'll be buying from them soon, again.
Is there anything that convinced you to buy something when you normally wouldn't? (Evil question, I know.)
Only on ebay. Just the tension/humiliation of defeat at the last 30 seconds being a risk. The rarity of some vinyl caused me some impulse buys as well. I've had several records snatched up and spoken for as they sat in my shopping cart, it caused me to be a "fast" buyer so I wouldn't lose out again.
Are there any website features that you enjoy that help you shop?
Suggestive reccomendations, Account Management, Order Tracking, Order History. Very welcome feature/details for me.
How do you research what you are going to buy?
For music, I listen to samples. I've yet to have ever bought anything from a record store that doesn't have samples.
For computers, I like looking at review sites for each and every part. It can take me weeks before I finalize a list of parts. I like to aim for a solid review at a good price point. (if you have a product, send it out for reviews, it will do you good for customers like me)
For clothes, it's a crap shoot anyway, if it doesn't fit I'll return it or resell it for more depending on what it cost.
What kind of products do you buy? Electronics? Media? Clothes?
all of it.
What's the most "personal" (something that you're picky about and usually need to check out in person before you buy) item that you've purchased online?
A car. Anything more than 5000$ probably.