Buy what you want

Shopping spree

After bringing about a lifestyle revolution in the West, online shopping websites are catching up in India too.

With the rise of sites like HomeShop 18, eBay.in, Naaptol and Indiaplaza, people have stopped going out to shop for everything they need.

These shopping websites are offering an interesting range of things at very tempting prices, and online innovations have done away with the fear of one losing their money in transaction.

No doubt, these websites are mushrooming by the day and customers are spoilt for choice.

A recent survey by a website listed the following online shopping websites as amongst the top five in the same order: Flipkart, Fashion and You, eBay, BabyOye and Yebhi. Metrolife speaks to a few online shopping enthusiasts and finds out about their virtual shopping experience.

Flipkart has grown from the days when it was just popular for books. These days, the website offers everything from mobiles and accessories to personal care appliances. Its customers are more than happy. Gauri Pradhan, a translator at an embassy informs, “I started using Flipkart during my college days. I had to read a lot of books and sometimes the college library didn’t have them. Flipkart was a great help in that respect. The fact that they ship in products so fast, really works for me.”

Fashion and You, as the name suggests, sells designer wear and accessories, primarily targeting women. Neha Suri, a student of management, says, “Recently I needed a pair of sandals to go with my dress for a party. I searched for it in a whole mall but couldn’t find what I wanted. Ultimately, I found it on Fashion and You. A three-inch heel sandals with studs was at my doorstep in a week.”

Another website like eBay.in too has a mind-boggling array of goods on offer. It is a shopping mall in itself sans the bricks and mortar, and the experience is nothing less than that. Geetika Pandey, a homemaker says, “I recently bought a microwave oven from eBay.in for Rs 6,000. A friend of mine had recommended the website to me and even though I was a bit apprehensive, I discovered the process to be easy and safe.”

Then there are online shopping websites which sell specific items. BabyOye.com sells baby stuff and other requisites for mothers-to-be. K Amritraj, a software professional says, “My sister recently gave birth to a baby girl and I  picked up a beautiful baby wrap for her from here.”