Views about buying fabrics online vary. While some buyers see nothing wrong in purchasing their textile needs on the internet, others will rather see and feel their fabric choice before paying for it.
Many textile users like fashion designers, home decorators, interior designers, dressmakers, students, craft enthusiasts, furniture makers, tailors, etc… now buy their needs online. This is because their fabric needs are enormous and many of them even make their purchases from foreign retailers. And because they know what they are looking for, they are comfortable with online fabric purchases.
The thing is, how comfortable are you with online purchases, especially when buying products like textile materials? Undoubtedly, you may prefer to see them with your naked eyes and feel them in your hands. Secondly, if you get swatches or samples of your fabric choices, will that be enough to convince you that buying fabrics online is a great idea?
For everything, there is a good side and a not-so-good side. But in all cases, one usually outweighs the other. So, what are the advantages (pros) and disadvantages (cons) of buying textile products online?
Advantages of Buying Fabrics Online
- It is like purchasing from a one-stop shop with thousands of products to view.
- It is a cheaper way to shop. Because online fabric retailers operate with lower margins and next to none-overheads, you get their savings passed on to you, the buyer.
- If you love fabrics, you’ll enjoy browsing web stores for textiles.
- It cuts out the endless search from local stores which at the best of times can be frustrating and time-consuming, and at worst, can become a futile exercise.
- At local stores, if you can’t find what you want, you have no choice but to go for the next best thing.
- When buying fabrics only, it’s certain that you will find fantastic deals and bargains ever so often. You’ll find clearance sales, bargain discounts, and closeout fabric sales, including free shipping for orders as little as $50.
- You have the option of buying fabrics by the yard, fat quarter bundles, and even half-yard cut bundles online.
- Many online stockists are willing to sell a minimum of a single yard (or metre) if that’s all you require. In other words, there is no minimum order when you buy fabrics from most online shops.
- For designers, decorators, and arts and crafts enthusiasts, there are great books, templates, and patterns you will find online, items you may never find enough of in the local shops.
- You can request as many fabric samples as you wish. They will be sent to you online before making any purchases.
Disadvantages of Purchasing Textile Materials On the Net
- You can’t touch or feel fabrics through your device’s screen. You will have to order physical samples. This may take a couple of days or so.
- A shopping fanatic may miss going out to the shops. Some people love physical window shopping and the hustle and bustle of shopping malls and markets.
- Not trusting online transactions. Today, transacting business online is getting safer and more secure. Always look out for the secure site sign.
Now that it is clear that the pros of buying fabrics online dwarf the cons, maybe it is time for you to give online fabric purchases another thought. The first try will most likely convince you.