Be careful with Online Shopping sites!!!

Dear All,

This is a strong message from me, a person who had been involved in online shopping since its inception in India. You might e very interested and tempted to buy things online. I know its a prestige issue. It makes you feel proud to let your friends know that you have bought something online - a step forward than any of your friends.

But, Is it safe? Is it worth? Is it not complicated?

Before I tell you something about " How to identify some genuine online shoppers", Let us have a look at some of them in the market who are doing better service:

1. ebay
2. Indiatimes Shopping
3. Rediff shopping
4. Sify shopping

These are some of the companies who are well established gloally and hence your faith upon them will never go in vain.

I have some of the chinese websites with whom I have made business and they seems to be great:

1. Alibaba, great place for wholesalers
2. chinavasion
3. DHgate

Okay, What are the potential threats when you look at online shopping?

• Your Netbanking/Credit card being exposed to other vendors. Please make sure that there is a genuine Payment Gateway like HDFC/CITIBANK and see if there are visa verified gateways to be safe. You can instead use your paypal account if possible.
• You might not know when your product will reach you. You can't book things for occasions...
• You might not know if the product that would be sent is the same that you see online. Most of them post fake images.
• You might not get warranty with most of the products.
• Call the online shopper before placing order. If they do not respond, you are safe. Do not shop with such traders.
• If you buy mobile phones from China/any other foreign shoppers, please check if the frequency range will work with India as well.
• Finally, please be known that the items shipped to you cannot be returned to the shopper most of the times and if you want, you have to bear the charges.

So, I think you should be in a better position to buy online now...

Have a happy Online Shopping!!!