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Photo: M. Moorthy

Extensive Impressive deals at a click away

He has shopped quite a number of times online since then. A lot many others too are getting their hands on computers for unusual purchases. After the day’s hectic work, the last thing you would like to do is to battle your way through never-ending traffic snarls for a shopping binge.

With online shopping just a click away, cyber purchases are no longer the odd ones out in the busy trading market. Be it electronic gadgets or interiors, e-stores have caught the fancy of the people for their extensive options and attractive deals. Interestingly, virtual shopping is taking shape in a market where direct dealing is perceived to be “safe and secure.”

So it wasn’t surprising when Jyotsana, who works as applications and maintenance engineer in a Bangalore-based software firm, opted for bulk purchase online.

“Some gizmos are pretty cool abroad. Shipping, sometimes, takes a longer time than promised. Otherwise, I’ve so far been successful while buying things in auctions. My brother has introduced me into selling as well. I’ve managed to get off with two of my wooden wardrobes.”

Shopping online, for Rajesh Cherian, ends with blocking air tickets. “It’s more of a gamble. You expect to reap cheaper goods from the sites. You may get less or end up paying more than the nominal cost,” he says.

Risks, as Mr. Cherian points out, are aplenty in online shopping. With glossy images on the gallery, few dubious sites can pinch your wallet hard by shipping goods that are cheaper than the bid value. Even if you succeed in buying the goods you dreamt of, you may not have the luxury of unpacking it before paying hefty customer clearance fee. Eventually, you end up paying extra and the stuff is no more a bargain. Nevertheless, customer confidence hasn’t slumped.

Take S. Manivannan, the Executive Director of Kaveri Medical Centre, for instance. Despite failing to get better bargains in online auctions, Dr. Manivannan makes it a point to surf shopping sites for purchasing big-ticket items like electronic goods and books.

“It’s been four years since I’m into web shopping. I happened to get hold of a book on hospital management, which is pretty rare, and also Mp3 player, voice recorder and digital camera through cyber shopping.”

Online vendors offering e-commerce solution for sellers, predict a huge market in tier II cities.

“It’s got nothing to do with risking-taking capability of buyers. It’s just that people in here aren’t into customised banking. Credit cards haven’t picked up. Banks must start promoting their credit services along with the safety norms to assure customers,” suggests Clyee, Assistant Manager – Billing and Collection of Vendio, an online vendor.

Private banks, meanwhile, do offer net-safe virtual credit cards suitable for online shopping. Hackers will fail to crack your credit number since you use random card number every time you login.

Before you surf the net for indulgence, listen to what Dr. Manivannan has to say.

“Never get into bidding unless you are comfortable with the way it works. Go in for branded electronics goods in reliable shopping sites. Unbranded goods are double the risk. Few sites float images of hi-quality stuff that may not match those that are shipped. Before shopping an item, check out the feedback of the buyers about the shopper.”

Differentiated services and high-speed connectivity are, no doubt, enticing customers for a cyber splurge. But before you go in for one-click purchases, check out the hidden costs and shoppers’ repute for a foolproof shopping.

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