Online Shopping is Fun, But the Shipping will give a Heart Attack!
By sexyposh
@sexyposh (575)
Philippines
November 6, 2012 1:56am CST
I just like to share this topic about Online Shopping.
Going to the mall can truely be a luxury if you're preoccupied with so many things. Like me, so many things to attend to-- my husband, who needs companion and my cooking; my kid, who needs so much love and attention; my job, that demands my time and skill nine hours a day. That is why if you need something to buy or even just to unwind, you have to schedule everything first.
Thank God for Online Shopping. It so available whether you're at home or at the office as long as you have internet connection. You'll see the latest trends, gadgets, etc. And if you find something you like, purchasing it is as easy as one-two-three by just clicking and immediately it will reflect to your shopping cart. It's really quite addictive, specially if you have money to burn. Because items from online shopping are way too expensive than the ones from the mall. Consumers are oblige to shoulder the shipping fee, in order for their items to be delivered to their doorsteps.
Local sellers are okey, since freight fee are cheaper except maybe for large items. But when you tried the international items, now that's another story... I once ordered make-up from US. They have this promo that in order for you to have free shipping internatioal, it must reach $125. So I purchase too many that I can handle just to reach that amount. I thought I was already safe with extra expenses, until I was reminded about the customs which I totally forgot! Custom fees are no longer shouldered by the seller. So when the package arrived, I have to claim it in the postal office since it was only in standard shipping. I was shocked that the total custom fee I have to pay whoping $100! Almost same amount of what I ordered. I have no choice but to pay it or else I can't get my package.
Since then, I never attempt to purchase another item from other countries again... lol!
1 person likes this
8 responses
@Ollanna11 (371)
• United States
7 Nov 12
I've been shopping online for a few years now and I'm addicted. The only thing I really shop for in stores nowdays is groceries. Shopping online is fun and convenient. You get to visit all your favorite stores or sites without leaving the comfort of your home or bed. Are we getting lazy, lol! I know international shipping can be a hassle. Are their any onlines sites in or around your country that wont charge expensive freight. fortunately I'm able to take advantage of free shipping since I shop within the states. I hope soon you'll be able to enjoy some of the additional perks of shopping online.
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
7 Nov 12
I know. I don't shop online hardly at all and that is my second reason. First reason is I need to "see" or "hole" what I am buying. I want to see it, see construction,etc. I have to try on clothes and shoes etc. So buying that stuff on line is not an option for me. However...if it is something like bras...I can go to the store, try them on, find the one I want and can go online and see if they are cheaper and buy them online in that case, but other than things like DVD's or things that dont' change, books etc..I might buy those online if the price is right..
but the second reason..is the shipping! Amazon.com is free shipping over $25 and that is good, but again, I don't buy much from there other than DVD/books, things that are what they are and no change in seeing it and holding it. But the shipping is so high, technically you have to add that to the price of the item and is it cheaper or more expensive? Granted if you are a distance from a store, it could be the only way you can get things...kind of like the old "order from a catalog" way we did it "back in the day"...but shipping was cheaper then too!
But in addition to those two reasons...I dont' buy online cause if Iget it and I don't like it ...I have to pay for return shipping, my account is credited for the purchase price ONLY...which means I have to pay shipping both ways..and literally that is just like throwing money down the drain. Cost me $10 for them to ship to me, and $10 for me to ship back..that's $20 I literally have lost...so that is the other reason I don't buy online much.
They do have a few stores that if you buy online, you can return it to the store..but you still have to pay the shipping to you...but if you can get it at the store, why bother buying online?
@sexyposh (575)
• Philippines
7 Nov 12
Well, some bother buying from the internet because some malls don't have items you see from the internet. Like here in my country, I am an avid fan of MAC Cosmetics and Benefit.. Only few franchise these and didn't even reach other cities in my country. So I have no choice but to buy it from the net and order it from different country/city. See what I mean? But I understand what you are trying to say. It really is practical to just buy items from the mall, but here is my question, what if the mall in your town/city is limited? Where are you going to buy stuff?
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
6 Nov 12
There are many hidden factors where online shopping is concerned, but the information is usually available for you to calculate the cost before ordering. I have purchased numerous items from other countries, but fortunately none of them have ever been liable for custom duty.
I have usually saved money by buying online, although your story does highlight the possibility of error despite taking care.
@randy2611 (134)
• United States
7 Nov 12
I know what you mean it is really a better experience on-line for me since i'm always on a computer anyhow. I can see what you mean about the shipping I never pay over 30.00 to ship anything and I make sure to find way to get free shipping for any purchases. I figure if shipping is more than the product price it's not worth it at that moment in time, i can wait for what i want. I don't do auctions either, it's to disappointing to spend time tracking bids and not win or to be a few cents off :-( But amazon does great on having used items with free shipping, or new items that if they are around $25.00 you get free shipping, I buy a ton of quality stuff from focal price and it's a china gadget place awesome stuff, great it you want cheap phones and tablets that run apps and can be upgraded. If you know what you want ahead of time and take a few hours to compare prices you are sure to win big! :-)
@sexyposh (575)
• Philippines
7 Nov 12
I heard its really cheaper to buy items from China, but I'm not sure of their quality. I haven't tried buying from Amazon yet. Maybe next time... Right now I'm thinking of buying make ups again from the internet but it really hurts my wallet with their policy. Oh well...
@prashu228 (37524)
• India
6 Nov 12
hi,
I love online shopping, but only in our country. Mostly i buy books in online shopping, so far i have bought ten books . Recently i also bought a sling bag and a face wash ,which is not available in the stores from few months. I am glad the products reached in good condition. As you said i was in tense till the items reached. once i even bought a kurti, the dress was good but the quality was not like i expected ,but its not bad. So i am not buying any clothes from then. Only books as of now.
@sexyposh (575)
• Philippines
7 Nov 12
That's one of the disadvantage of online shopping, you won't be able to see the actual details of the items you bought. I once bought clothes from the internet, and I was disappointed too.. It was nice to see in pictures but once you try it on, it won't fit. Oh well, I guess that's the price you pay. I realize by just reading other people's post, its still practical to buy it in the mall.. Atleast you're sure of its quality and surely will fit you right.
@mikyung (2232)
• Philippines
6 Nov 12
You said it right. I have experience this, that I waited for several months just to have my favorite book on hand. That's why, now, I check the local bookstore if they have available ones before going on online purchasing. I hope, these frieght services can upgrade their services because we deserve what we really pay in exchange with their services. Thanks
@sexyposh (575)
• Philippines
7 Nov 12
I feel you. I think it depends to the service you avail. If the seller chose the standard shipping, yes it's cheaper in the sense of freight fee but the consumers will shoulder the custom fee (really depends on your country's policy) and it takes months before the package reach you. But if the seller chose the private one, its more expensive and your quite assure that your package is safe.
@AKRao24 (27424)
• India
6 Nov 12
That is very true dear Sexyposh! We will have to very careful while doing on line shopping especially if we are interested in getting anything out of the country as it attracts lot of custom duty together with package and transportation charges.
I can understand how you must have felt while paying that extra unexpected money for the goods you received with the help of online shopping.
I am a Ventriloquist and we don't have Ventriloquists dummies in local market. So I have decided to have a Ventriloquist Dummy by shopping on line. Having gone to one site and selecting one of the dummy of choice I wanted complete formalities about the product to get it to my door step. I received a reply which blew my head as the postal charges and the custom duty on the product were too heavy and the product was costing me three times more. I was lucky enough to get that reply and I have dropped the plan of getting the product.
Apart from this many a times we can end up with some faulty electronic gadgets as I have received one on local on line shopping. If this is the case if we encounter on international on line shopping then our Postal charges will kill us!
Thus in my opinion it is always better to go to the nearest Mall or any other store and have the electronic gadget after checking it thoroughly and getting ourselves satisfied! Thanks for the discussion, I enjoyed participating in it!
@sexyposh (575)
• Philippines
6 Nov 12
Wow! that was totally hassle! That's the worst thing that I am afraid of, recieving defective item. When you buy stuff from the mall, if the items are defective its easy to return them to the mall. But from online shopping, I think it will be very difficult. Luckily it never happend to me.... yet. But if it will, I'd probably will pull my hair out!
@rog0322 (2829)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
6 Nov 12
Hi,
I have bought only once online, a USD30 transistor radio from a Hongkong supplier and as you said, it is quite addicting. I forgot the duties on goods and I was thankful that I got that item without extra cost. Maybe high cost goods also demand high tariff, that's what I understand. I should be more careful in the future then.
I'd rather go downtown to get that USD200 diver's watch I have an eye on this coming Christmas. I also heard, shipping time can get to you especially during the holiday seasons when orders are high. That can add to the tension too. It feels good to have the item on hand right after parting with the hard-earned money.
@sexyposh (575)
• Philippines
6 Nov 12
Good for you.. I think it depend on the value of your item. If the the items is quite expensive then the custom fee will be charge accordingly. I have a friend who ordered from amazon a CD from New Kids On the Block, she was not charge because the value of her item was only $10... so it really depends on your item.
