Technology has certainly changed things. Not only has it made it easier to keep in touch with old friends and colleagues…but it has also made it possible to purchase items with the click of a button. When most people think of online shopping, they imagine new clothes, entertainment items, and gifts for loved ones. However, it doesn’t end there. You can also add crystals to the list. Buying crystals online has become more and more popular over the last several years. To ensure you are always happy with your purchases – and don’t get ripped off – here are some shopping tips and tricks to keep in mind.
Buying Crystals Online – Getting Started
It can be overwhelming at first. Many websites offer crystals and spiritual tools you may not come across in your day-to-day shopping experiences. Suddenly, you feel the strong desire to put anything and everything into your digital shopping cart. Maybe a shiny new piece of amethyst or a heart-shaped piece of kambaba jasper. Wait! Before you go overboard, take time to consider your potential purchases. There are many things to think about before you type in your credit card information. From the size of the healing stone, to the shipping costs, and of course, making sure you get a piece that is genuine…. buying crystals online requires a certain amount of consideration. The last thing you want is to be disappointed or get ripped off.
Look For Reputable Websites and Sellers
Have you heard the stories? Join a crystal-themed social media group and you will see post after post where buying crystals online went terribly wrong. Maybe someone was sent the wrong type of crystal. Perhaps it wasn’t an authentic item. It could have been damaged. Or maybe, just maybe, the seller has lied or misled customers about the quality or healing properties of an item. (This happened recently when a social media celebrity re-sold cheap wholesale items for a whole lot more on her crystal healing website.) It’s unfortunate, but these things happen. Even in the areas of health, wellness, and healing.
The most important thing you can do is look into the reputation of a specific seller or website. Pay attention to how long the company, business, or website has been around. Has it been written about in publications either online or in print? Do you know anyone who has purchased from them before? How much information is provided on each item for sale? Can you find any information about the founder or face of the company? The more you know, the better. Instead of purchasing from the first website you come across…shop around and make sure you’re browsing a website or social media page that is worth your time.
Always Read Reviews from Customers
When buying crystals online it is especially important to read reviews. The reason? You want the most information possible about a company (and the quality of their services) before you shell out your hard earned cash. Customer reviews left directly on the website can be helpful but be aware that these don’t always paint the most accurate picture. For instance, sometimes companies will only post positive reviews or may even write fake reviews to mislead potential buyers.
The best course of action is to look on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and any other social media pages. Here you are more likely to see the quality of the products they are sending out as well as uncover any potential areas of concern. Looking for blog posts and reviews posted elsewhere can be another wonderful source of information. One tip to keep in mind? If you want to get a better idea of their services, send the company an email asking a question. The type of response (and how long it takes to hear back) can reveal an awful lot about the company and their customer service.
Take Time to Compare Prices
You’ve heard the saying, shop around. That remains true, even when you are buying crystals online. It is essential to know your prices. For example, if one website is selling a small piece of tumbled amethyst for $20 and two others are selling the same size and type of stone for $5-10…consider why this may be. Is there something special or unique about the more expensive piece or is it simply overpriced? Think it over, compare prices, and see what makes the most sense.
You may also want to consider what you normally pay for a similar item at a metaphysical store. It might not be worth it to purchase online if you live close enough to a crystal shop or aren’t looking for something difficult to get your hands on. Knowing your prices is a must. Why? It ensures that you will not get ripped off…whether you are buying a small tumbled stone or are adding a large, rare addition to your collection.
Factor In Shipping Costs and Risks
Clicking buy on a website is easy enough. However, buying crystals online also requires you to think about the next step: shipping. For starters, you will need to add in shipping costs to whatever you buy. This can dramatically increase the price of an item. Smaller stones have additional shipping fees let alone larger and more delicate pieces. Though the price you see online may appear fair…you also have to remember that shipping may make that specific piece a little more expensive than it should be. Or more than you are willing to spend at the moment. Again, you will want to compare prices with that of a physical store once you have the shipping factored in.
Additionally, there are risk factors to keep in mind. Raw pieces can be more breakable and so can certain crystal shapes. Despite how well (or poorly) the crystal itself is wrapped and packaged from the online shop, things happen. So be aware there will always be a possibility that the stone you order may arrive chipped, cracked, or damaged in some way. It is the risk you take when buying online!
Though there are certainly risks involved buying crystals online, there are advantages as well. Specialized websites allow you to purchase a wide array of items. Perhaps they have a particular stone that you have been searching for or the seller has a large and impressive piece that took your breath away. The accessibility of the Internet can bring it into your life! Doing your research and weighing the pros and cons will help you shop smart and get exactly what you want.
