The Potential Disadvantages Of Buying Household Products From Amazon

There's no question that buying household products on Amazon is easy. Who hasn't had a moment where they'd rather just click "buy" from bed instead of slogging to the store? And you can't beat not having to haul home heavy bags.

But ease comes with compromises — like impulse buying more than you need since it's so simple. Another disadvantage to buying online? You miss out on the ability to examine your items before you buy, potentially leading to annoying returns. Plus, Amazon can be riddled with counterfeit or used products, despite what their descriptions claim.

These are all reasons to think carefully about every household purchase you make on Amazon, ensuring each item is worth the risk. Below, we dive into more details about why overconsumption, the lack of ability to check out items yourself, and the potential for counterfeit items can be even bigger disadvantages than you might realize.

Ever browsed Amazon for a household item, and bought something when you noticed it was on sale? You're not alone. About 72% of online shoppers have impulsively bought an item because it was discounted, per research from Capitol One.

Over time, buying online impulsively can be an unhealthy habit. For one, you'll feel the impact in your wallet. The same research from Capitol One found that the average consumer spends $281.75 on impulse buys per month — a big chunk of change especially if you're trying to save money on household essentials.

Plus, impulse buying can lead to items you don't need, or that just don't fit in well in your home. When stuff starts to pile up, it's not good for your brain or your body. The chaos and overconsumption that comes when you don't declutter your home can trigger stress, make us less productive, and overload our brains.

In addition to a rise in clutter, another big disadvantage to shopping for household items on Amazon is not being able to check out the item for yourself. When you're buying new household goods you haven't tried before, it's always helpful to see an item in person. That way, you can assess the quality and get a feel for how it will look in your place. 

This is especially important because Amazon has a counterfeit problem. The company definitely makes efforts to crack down on it, but there's still a chance that when you purchase an item, you won't get the product you've been promised. At best, this is a minor inconvenience. Maybe you discover the item has been used or is in poor condition, and you have to go through the process of sending it back and waiting for a better item to arrive. 

At worst, though, it could mean that your household item is tainted. Without the proper manufacturing protocol and product testing that non-counterfeit goods require, you might wind up with household products that contain dangerous materials like lead or other chemicals. Everyone leads busy lives, and sometimes it's easiest to put in a quick order with Amazon when you're buying in bulk to save money. But before you put in your next order, remember that there are potential disadvantages to your purchase.