JOIN USIt’s easy to get trapped in the web of colourful clothes and unbelievable
discounts while buying from behind a screen. Aasheesh Mediratta tells you how to avoid certain pitfalls for an enjoyable shopping experience
The onset of the festive season means a barrage of deals, discounts and offers, which make even the most close-fisted consumers want to shop avidly.
However, before loosening your purse strings, there are several things to keep in mind. With the e-commerce boom in the country becoming more prominent everyday, which sites to shop from, how to find the best deals and whether to go in for that too-good-to-be-true price tag are some of the important questions that shoppers need to ask themselves before clicking the ‘buy now’ button. Let’s look at some of those key elements of online shopping that separate a pro from a novice.
Choose wisely
The most crucial aspect of online shopping is choice of the website. It’s always
advisable to buy from sites that are well-known and have a good reputation. If you’re thinking of making a purchase from a relatively new and unknown website, it’s good to check with friends and family if they’ve transacted from that particular platform before and seek their feedback.
Additionally, when buying from a marketplace, always read user reviews of the seller, from whom your product will be sourced. It is also imperative to check the e-retailer’s website or app for contact details. There should be a clearly specified corporate address and phone number where the company can be contacted, if need be.
Best bang for your buck
It’s easy to get swayed away by eye-ball-grabbing discounts and deals that sound just too irresistible on online platforms. While many of them do hold water, it’s
always a good idea to check out all other options before buying in a hurry. Price
comparison sites are a smart way to find the best deal on the product of your choice. These websites use advanced technology to aggregate information from across e-commerce vendors and show the user the platform from where the same product can be bought at the best possible price.
Of late, there has also been a spurt in the number of couponing and cashback sites. Shoppers can make use of these as well to avail of interesting offers, over and above what the merchant site is offering.
Attention to detail
When shopping online, many consumers get carried away by the appeal of the product and its price and fail to delve into the minor details of their transaction. This isn’t a particularly smart thing to do. It is imperative that you check the size, fit and other specifications of a product before making the purchase.
One must also check the delivery timelines carefully, especially in cases where the product is needed within a set timeframe. You must also always read up on the return or replacement policy of the e-commerce site before purchasing anything.
Pay safely
If you’re going to making an online transaction, ensure that you have a secure
payment gateway. The checkout area must be encrypted.This is typically indicated with a padlock icon and a website address that begins with “https” instead of “http”. Avid e-buyers are always advised to install good quality anti-malware software to protect their credentials from cyber threats.
It is also advisable to use credit cards instead of debit cards when buying online or on mobile. Credit cards have spending limits and let you dispute fraudulent charges.
In case of debit cards, however, if your details are misused and the money is deducted from your account, it is lost forever. In case there is still a concern about cyber security, consumers nowadays also have the option of using safe and
convenient digital wallets. Since only a limited amount of money is parked in these wallets, the exposure to threats of any kind is limited.
(The author is CEO, Fashionandyou.com)