By Martin Lewis
Preen Satin Dress, £319: Matchesfashion.com, £780: Harvey Nichols, High Street hike = £461 = 145 per cent
We could be paying up to 70 per cent more for goods in store rather than on the internet, says pricerunner.co.uk, a shopping comparison website.
Now we've done our own research - and, as MARTIN LEWIS from moneysavingexpert. com reveals, the results will amaze you...
To run a store on the High Street, you have to have a building in a town centre, a shopfront, goods that are priced and labelled, and staff to sell them. But if you run a web store all you need is a warehouse, a phone and the internet.
That means overheads are much lower, particularly if you charge your customers the cost of delivery.
The web is great for items like CDs and books that are the same wherever you get them - a Dan Brown novel is a Dan Brown novel, whether you get it on the internet or in town.
There are some great electrical deals online, but most people want to see their 40in TV before they buy it. Get around this by visiting a store, but buying online afterwards.
The web is less competitive when it comes to clothes because these are things that people want to try on. But when shopping online you have more rights. If you buy a dress in store without trying it on and it doesn't fit, it is within the rights of a shop not to allow you a refund.
But under distance-selling regulations, if you order the same item online you are legally allowed to return it and get your money back within the first seven days.
The web is cheaper for virtually everything. Remember to use price-comparison sites to get the best deal.
source: dailymail
Preen Satin Dress, £319: Matchesfashion.com, £780: Harvey Nichols, High Street hike = £461 = 145 per cent
