Sep 27, 2006 03:49 PM
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(Updated Sep 27, 2006 03:52 PM)
While nothing beats the experience and advantages of physical shopping( I'd recommend you do it whenever you can), time constrains, availability and the lure of ad gimmicks are some of the reasons
why we end up buying online. Fine. But keep a few things in mind. It's better to be safe than sorry eh?
- While buying, do check the pricing with other sites as well as physical stores. You'll be surprised
to know that you often end up paying a hell lot of extra money for the same item that's available on a store rack just a few Kms away from you!
- Calculate whether the discounts are really worth it after you add shipping and all the other headaches. Costs go up when you return the item. You're paying for shipping again! Sometimes
you can sideline the taxes and save money, depending on the seller.
Check refund/ return/replace policies as these are part and parcel. You never know how many volleys you may end up serving.
Before buying, inquire whether at all the product is available. Most of the times the display will be there, but not the product. This saves you unnecessaryily paying and being left in the loop for a few days.
Electronics items are best bought off the shelf where you can test them.
Always insist on good showroom conditioned sealed item. Why accept a half battered box?
Demand good packaging.
- Ask yourself why at all you should buy it. Just because there's a discount(?) doesn't mean you need it. Do not buy unknown manufacturer's items!
Here are some pros and cons about a few regular online stores-
- Fabmall- Generally good and efficient. Always ask if the item is available. Prices can be lesser
else where. But generally good.
Rediff- clueless idiots- High prices. They lack communication with their suppliers and make a mess out of it most of the time. Not recommended.3
Sifymall- Somewhat okay. Questionable prices. Payment gates and customer service not so good.
Oxfordbookstore- Doesn't even feature anywhere. useless!
indiatimeshopping- Half-baked affair.
Ebay.in- Be very very careful here. Very easy to get duped by those selleres. Ebay cares more
for its sellers than buyers.
7. http://www.nextworld.in- games/softwares- Good and prompt service. Discounts. But You'll end up paying a lot for taxes.
Last word- While the firanghee sites are good and trustworthy, most of them do not ship to India.
Those who do charge shipping costs that is quite a lot. There are plenty of sites as you all know. I've just mentioned a few and how in general the busuiness is.:)
