Time Pressure, Time Saving And Online Shopping: Exploring A Contradiction

Abstract

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Previous survey research revealed that consumers perceived online shopping and buying to be a time saving practice. Paradoxically, they only rarely reported using that tactic to save time, introducing a contradiction. Focus group research and unstructured interviews among active, time-pressured consumers provide partial solutions to the puzzle. Two types of online shopping benefits appeal to two types of consumers: Those experiencing situational time pressure respond well to "time-saving" appeals. Another, larger proportion, whose personal inclinations or personality traits result in time pressure are more interested in doing more tasks quickly or engaging in polychronic activities. These findings suggest online merchants simultaneously promote both time-saving and quicker accomplishment of more tasks. Though they are two sides of the same coin, time-pressured consumers tend to see only one side or the other. Both types of time-pressured shoppers eschew Websites requiring substantial "up-front" investment of time; complex, multi-option initial or home pages, and early insistence for "registration" that requires revealing personal information. This suggests clean, clear, uncluttered introductory pages and delay in urging registration until rapport has been established. Inexpensive, rapid delivery times and liberal return privileges were also highly valued by all time-pressured participants. Cost restrictions limit the degree to which online merchants can accommodate these preferences.</span></span></span></p>

Identifying patterns in channel usage across the search, purchase and post-sales stages of shopping

“…We believe that performing after-sales activities online is not a good option for time-pressed shoppers as it would involve a delay in the answer (product exchanged/repaired, query solved) that is avoided when going to the store where the outcome is normally immediate. Notwithstanding, according to qualitative research conducted by Alreck et al (2009), consumers only rarely report using the Internet to save time, the majority of respondents argue that the rapid delivery options for product returns are overpriced and the regular delivery is too slow. In fact, Chatterjee (2010) found that consumers with high waiting time costs tend to complete the purchase process offline.…”

Motivations and Use Context in Mobile Tourism Shopping: Applying Contingency and Task-Technology Fit Theories

“…Time saving is also defined as 'taking less time for making purchases, visiting different retail stores, and browsing through alternatives' while shopping online (Cho, 2004). Online merchants promote both time saving and quicker accomplishment of more tasks (Alreck et al, 2009). Higher-income consumers exhibit a greater desire toward saving time than lower-income consumers online, whereas the relationship between income level and saving money is less certain (Punj, 2012).…”

Online shopping intention in the context of data breach in online retail stores: An examination of older and younger adults

“…According to recent findings (Retailer 2014), these cards account for over 70% of payment methods used for online shopping. In addition to the increasing payment convenience, time-saving has also been a key factor in the adoption of e-commerce (Alreck et al 2011). Online stores have improved the overall shopping experience by mimicking the amenities of a physical shopping experience in a virtual world (Verhagen et al 2014).…”