You shouldn’t just be checking whether the item is broken or not. Moreover, just because the product is not broken doesn’t mean that it’s okay to buy. Buying pet accessories require meticulous checking, especially if it’s for your dog. You need to check if there are choking hazards, dangerous chemicals and unsuitable materials. If any of those are present, then you shouldn’t buy. Now that we’re in a pandemic, it’s even more challenging because we don’t see the items until we unwrap it once delivered from an online store. Don’t know what to look for and don’t know what to do? If this is the case, this article will guide you.
ESSENTIAL THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING PET ACCESSORIES
1. Purpose:
The first thing that you need to consider whenever you buy a product for your beloved pet is the reason why you want to buy it in the first place. The thing is, we can’t just buy pet products because it’s trendy or because it looks cute. You should buy a product because you need it so that your money won’t go to waste.
2. Quality of the product:
Of course, you don’t wanna buy an item for your pup that would only last for a few days. Check the quality of the materials to make sure that it will last long so that the amount you pay is worth it. This is also important as it can reduce the hassle of asking for a refund or replacement. Good quality products means that you will have them for a long time and there will be no more asking for a replacement once it’s broken. Moreover, the quality also assures the safety of the product for your fido.
3. Budget:
Not all high-quality products have to be expensive. Before making a decision of purchasing something, you may wanna consider comparing prices of different brands–as long as the quality of the product isn’t compromised.
4. Usefulness:
Ask yourself, “what will be the use of this item if I buy it for my pet?” Take note that not all pet products are useful, so some may not be practical to buy, especially when they only serve one purpose. Always buy the essentials and necessities first and think about the purpose of the product. It is best if you buy something that is multipurpose so that it can also save you money. Moreover, consider buying products that will really help you as a dog owner, something that will make your life convenient and put you at ease.
THINGS TO CONSIDER IN AN ONLINE PET STORE
Looking at the still photos of a product isn’t enough to guarantee you that the product will be in good shape and quality. Photos might give you a false hope, so be extra careful. Here are some guidelines to consider when buying pet products online:
1. The legitimacy of the online website:
There are thousands of online stores on the internet and this increases day by day. Scams and frauds are nothing new on the internet, so being extra careful wouldn’t hurt a bunch. Hence, it would be good to check the validity of the online store through the use of free verification systems online.
2. Quality of the online shopping website:
The overall view of the website can be quite useful in telling you something about the business. Moreover, a quality online store has a good user interface in order for you to shop with safety and convenience, giving you a great online shopping experience as a customer.
3. Security of the payment method:
If you are satisfied with the online store’s legitimacy and quality, the next thing that you need to consider (which is VERY important) is the security of payment method. Make sure that you’ll have different payment options. Ideally, the safest way of shopping online (not only for pet products), is to opt for credit over debit. Moreover, you need to make sure that you have a secure connection. Check if the site has a padlock symbol – an indication that the site is safe. You should also receive an invoice and/or a receipt in order to validate your purchases. That way, you can ask for your money back if the products aren’t delivered to you.
4. Customer reviews:
Don’t just judge a product by its images. Read what the previous buyers thought about it. There’s an adage that says “the customer is always right”, so never underestimate the power of customer reviews. Reviews are usually honest and bias-free–they usually review the product itself and also their overall shopping experience, so that’s one way to judge an online store.
5. Return and refund policies:
Know your rights as a customer. Another way to judge an online store is their return and refund policies provided (usually below) on their site. If those aren’t provided in the site, then you may want to contact their customer service or simply go to a more trusted website.
6. Shipping:
Check the shipping costs. You do not want to purchase from an online store whose shipping fees are expensive. There are many online stores that offer free shipping depending on your location and the number of products you bought. Moreover, opt for stores that will ship your product/s within a 30-day period.
SHOP WORRY-FREE
Whether you shop in a physical store or an online store, these guidelines will help you have a better judgment as a customer when it comes to buying products for your beloved dog.