The impact of ICT on banking and shopping

The impact that ICT has had on banking and shopping is that it has made shopping online possible and easy to use by anyone with a computer. Now you are able to shop online on many different sites and you can even have delivery for a small price. You don't even have to leave home to go shopping these days as it all can be done safely online.

The benefits of having the use of computers is that people who are unable to leave the house (house bound) can still do there shopping online. It is particularly good for busy working people and parents of young children that find little time to shop. You are able to view things online in detail and don't have to commit to buy until you are sure. Without ICT 25 years ago people wouldn't have been able to buy things over the computer it would have to have been done by hand and would have been difficult for many. ICT as makes it possible for customers to scan their own purchases at the checkout as well as allowing people to shop around for the best deals for example in travel there are many different levels of travel with added extras which force the price up. To allow people to get the most out of internet shopping in the travel industry it is necessary to shop around for the best deals.

In many cases buying online is cheaper although in many areas such as travel,books,CD's and DVD's competitive sales have forced prices up meaning that the low prices you may have seen in the earlier days of internet shopping are one. The convenience of online shopping is also useful. You are able to access hundreds of shops or outlets in a short space of time and most importantly without leaving home. You have none of the issues like queuing, paying,stacking example.

The disadvantages of online shopping may include things such as delivery problems. You are having to rely on someone else to bring your goods to you. This means that the chance of damage or loss occurring will increase and could case problems. It is also quite common for people having to arrange to stay in all day just to wait for there goods to be delivered disadvantage would also be the hidden costs that come with some online shopping websites. Especially if this isn't made clear to you before you buy. On top of many of the prices that you pay for your goods you having to pay a postage and packaging charge which can make the cost of the goods a lot more expensive. Returning of unsuitable goods may also make shopping online less successful. It may require an additional charge or may even be impossible. it would also be an inconvenience.

In my opinion the largest disadvantage of online shopping is security. I also believe my family would agree with this as we have used online services before for shopping and found that giving out personal information is a disadvantage. Some people may have bought goods and never received them for example or received them late or damaged; others may have given money or credit card or bank account details which people may have accessed without their knowledge.