Popular Online Shopping Sites

Idle moments give way to shopping.  While others take on the hype of the holiday rush, others prefer to shop online without the stress of traffic, crowds, and queues. So, for those who can wait for their packages and do shopping in the comfort of home, here is some trivia about three popular online shopping sites.  

1. lazada.com.ph – This is the most famous online app in Southeast Asia founded by Rocket Internet in 2012. Lazada is the largest e-commerce operator in Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines as of August 2018. In April 2016, the Alibaba Group took control of Lazada expanding its stake in Southeast Asia. Lazada sells from food, fashion, furniture, and gadgets to electronic components, and many more. Although I find some products more expensive than in malls, still the prices of goods are reasonable. They deliver within their scheduled delivery dates depending on where the product will come from. It provides a free shipping fee for selected items and charges Php 40-200 delivery charges based on the seller. They offer cash on delivery, credit/debit card, PayPal, Lazada wallet, and GCash as modes of payment. What I like about Lazada is the quality of the products and the courteous delivery guys. They call or text the buyer to confirm the delivery.

• shopee.com.ph –  Singapore based under Sea Group that was founded in 2009 by Forrest Li. It serves users in Southeast Asia and Taiwan to buy and sell products online. Due to the mobile and social element built within the concept, Shopee is now a fast-rising online shop in the Philippines. Like Lazada, they also sell a variety of products and offers a 30% discount on shipping fee for a minimum purchase of Php 250 and 100% for purchases of Php 500 and up. They charge a delivery fee of Php 40 – 90 depending on which company will deliver. They offer cash on delivery, over-the-counter payments, Dragonpay, and credit/debit cards as a mode of payment. What I like about this app is that most of their products are guaranteed low prices than the other online apps plus they have very cool advertisements. Most of the time, I have the last song syndrome with their jingle. The more I hear it, the more I am encouraged to purchase from Shopee.

• banggood.com – Banggood is a Chinese e-commerce company that offers retail goods. Its partnership programs also include wholesale, affiliate, and drop shipping. If you want quality electronic products from China, then Banggood is the best shop for you. You can buy original China brand phones such as Mi, Oukitel, and more for reasonable prices. You can also shop for electronic gadgets and get discount vouchers almost daily.  Electronic gadgets and equipment are cheaper in this shopping application. If you are the techie kind of person, you will enjoy browsing their DIY or fully assembled products. The delivery will take 8-17 days with Php 90 charge. 

Warning!  Online shopping can be addicting and there are risks too. Be wary about …

1. Fraudulent sellers who just want to steal your credit card and bank information.  Some e-commerce sites are made for hacking and identity theft. Take time to examine the site.  Be critical about the URL, the advertisements, and the offers that are “too good to be true.”  Trust your guts that whisper to you to stop.  Entertain doubts and questions from your ‘wise self.’  Think about it over and over before you key in your debit and credit details.  Choose to pay cash on delivery;

• Expectations and reality do not meet.  The delivered product is far from what is posted online – this is the outcome of false advertising, deceitful and bogus positive comments, and careless handling of your order.  Know the specifications of your purchase order and make yourself familiar with the return policy.  Bear patience and insist on quality.

• Delay of delivery especially if the product will come from overseas. If you are in a rush to acquire the product, then it is more advisable to purchase in malls.  But, if you really like the product online, be willing to wait and accept that delays are inevitable especially if the package will pass through country-to-country customs.

•  The good feeling that comes from buying.  It is a fun-feeling putting things in the cart, processing the payment, and waiting for the product to arrive. It feels like Christmas every moment you get a package and open it. There is excitement in waiting and surprise in opening the parcel.  Know your purpose and be mindful of your budget.  Remember that the best things in life are the free ones!   

To avoid becoming a victim of online fraud, I recommend that you purchase only from trustworthy sites, read the reviews, and check for the store and product ratings. The more reviews, the better because this means that more people are using the site. Check also the photos posted by other buyers as these would help you in deciding if you will buy. Use the filter and buy only from the trusted sellers of the site. Do not be carried away by the season, instead have a reason for the season.  Know what enough is.  

Note: This article was previously published in our printed issue of The Corporate, Guide and Style for Professionals Magazine.