It's not so convenient after all

Shopping online is quick, easy and convenient, especially since several websites dedicated to this specific purpose have mushroomed all over the internet in the last few years.  Customers can browse through their catalogues, and then zero in on the item of their choice — which is then delivered to their doorsteps.

And while some such sites still require customers to pay via the internet, which involves keying in their credit card numbers, others have started providing pay-on-delivery services. But despite these many advantages, shopping on the internet has its downsides as well. Metrolife speaks to a few Bangaloreans to find out what these
could be.

Jigna, a counsellor at a design college, admits to burning her fingers while trying to use an internet catalogue, and has sworn off it since then.

“I tried it just once, when I purchased a watch off the internet. However, the product
they delivered to my house was completely different from what they showed online,” she recollects, adding, “I haven’t tried it since then. It’s better to personally go to shop than to buy things online.”

Others may not have tried shopping online, but are wary of it nonetheless. Garima, a student of Mount Carmel College, is one of these.  Highlighting the practical advantages of shopping in person, she says, “I’ve never bought anything off the internet. I’d rather see the item first — especially when it comes to clothes and accessories, where sizing and quality makes a difference.”

However, she concedes that in some cases, internet shopping can be convenient.
“If I want to a buy a particular book, I might use an online catalogue — but only if they have a cash-on-delivery service,” she says.

The other factor that makes people think twice before buying a product online is the issue of credit cards. A lot of websites require customers to key in their credit card number in order to pay for their purchase.  Not only does this pose a security problem, it also makes it difficult for people — such as students — who don’t own credit cards.
Prakruthi, a medical student, elaborates, “Buying things off the internet may be more convenient. But I don’t have a credit card, which means that I can’t shop for any product online.”

Jigna believes that the security issue is something that all customers should consider before shopping online. She herself chose not to provide the website with her credit card number, so that she could minimise chances of cyber fraud. “When I shopped online, I asked for pay-on-delivery services, and only had to give the money to the postman who brought it to my house. It’s better this way; if someone has your credit card number, it can easily be misused, so it’s better not to go for that,” she says.