Are you trying to purchase CBD products for the first time? You might easily be overwhelmed with all of your choices. One expert estimates that there are between 50 and 100 companies that produce hemp cannabidiol, in addition to hundreds of other brands that sell hemp CBD products. The quality of CBD products varies tremendously between manufacturers, which can make the buying process rather complicated.
In addition to the various manufacturers, you also have to consider the various retailers in the market. One of the biggest decisions that you need to make is whether you should purchase CBD products online or at a local retailer. Regardless of the channel that you use to purchase CBD, it is still a good idea to review products on a site like CBDStudy.
There are both advantages and disadvantages to using a local store to purchase CBD oil and other CBD products. However, it is generally best to purchase CBD oil online. You need to understand these implications before choosing a retail outlet.
What is the appeal of local CBD retailers?
There are a number of reasons that people consider purchasing CBD from local stores, rather than online retailers. Some of these reasons include the following.
Word-of-mouth might make certain CBD retailers seem like an attractive option
Many people resort to purchasing CBD products from a local store because their friends and family have spoken highly of it. They trust personal endorsements far more than any form of advertising. This doesn’t necessarily mean that their reviews are accurate, but they still carry a lot more weight than native ads or reviews from strangers.
Local retailers offer some forms of convenience that online stores do not
The Internet is usually considered the most convenient medium for buying products. However, physical stores offer their own form of convenience.
The biggest benefit of purchasing products from brick-and-mortar stores is that you can look at the product up close before making a purchase. You can carefully inspect the packaging to see if it looks defective in any way.
Physical stores make it easier to get your CBD products much more quickly
The biggest disadvantage of purchasing CBD products online is that you have to wait for delivery. You might have to wait up to seven days for your product to arrive unless you are willing to pay a premium for shipping.
This is not a concern when you visit a local health store. You can complete your purchase and bring it home the same day.
Physical stores create a higher perception of trust
Many people believe that local retailers are more trustworthy. This is a major misconception, but it’s still something that many people believe.
You can get a Certificate of Analysis more easily
Every reputable CBD manufacturer will have a Certificate of Analysis (COA)for all of their products. This document provides information about the amount of CBD, THC, toxins, and other properties that the product contains.
It is a little easier to get this documentation from a local store. You can simply scan the QR codes with your smartphone, and you will be directed to a website containing the COA documentation. Newer iPhones are able to do this without a special app. All you have to do is take a picture, and you will have an option to visit the website that is shown in the image. You will need to download an app if you have an older iPhone or any Android device. However, it is very quick and easy to download these apps from the Apple or Google stores.
Why online retailers are a better option
There are clearly some reasons that local retailers might seem more appealing. However, online stores are a better option overall. Here are the biggest selling points for them.
You Are likely to pay less online
Local stores have a much higher overhead than their online counterparts. They have to pay hourly wages, rent, and other operating costs that online stores don’t have to worry about. They obviously have to pass these costs along to their customers.
Since online CBD stores have lower overhead, they often charge lower prices.
It is easier to vet products by quality
When you are purchasing CBD products from a local retailer, you will probably want to defer to the advice of the employees. The employees will let you know that some CBD products are better than others. Since they are trying to discourage you from purchasing some products, it is easy to assume that they are competent and scrupulous.
The problem is that store employees have an agenda. They are told to promote certain products that have higher gross margins than others, even if those products are not best for their customers.
Of course, online retailers have their own biases. The difference is that there is plenty of objective information on other websites. You will have a much easier time getting different brands and choosing the best products.
You won’t be duped into purchasing hemp seed oil or other overpriced concoctions
There is a massive difference between CBD and hemp seed oil. Although both products are made from hemp plants. The similarities pretty much end there.
Hemp Seed oil does not contain any CBD. It does offer some very promising health benefits, but those benefits pale in comparison to those provided by CBD products. Therefore, honest retailers will charge much lower prices for hemp seed oil.
Unfortunately, some local stores misrepresent hemp seed oil as CBD oil. Sometimes, the mistake is unintentional. The employee might simply be uneducated and uninformed. In other cases, they are deliberately lying to their customers to trick them into purchasing a more expensive product.
This is not an issue when you are purchasing products online. CBD websites will clearly specify the properties of all of their products. These websites are carefully scrutinized byThe FCC for misleading claims.
Online CBD retailers tend to be the best option
There are benefits and drawbacks to purchasing CBD through a local health retailer. However, online retailers generally tend to be much better options. You can purchase products more cheaply, and you will make much more informed decisions.
