Is online shopping a wise consumer’s option?

The same product is available online at a lesser price’ is the oft-repeated comments made by netizens whenever they are shown a newly purchased commodity by their near and dear. The craze for online shopping is increasing by-the-day. But the prerequisite to do online shopping is consumer awareness. Otherwise, the tech-savvy may get deceived by the mushrooming e-Commerce portals which are offering virtually everything online now with attractive price discounts.

It is important for online shoppers to know that terms and conditions apply for every transaction, which are mentioned in fine print along with the product listing. The specifications of a product mentioned in the listing and that of actual one may be different sometimes. Though e-Commerce portals accept return of products from the dissatisfied consumers, it is done within a specified time with several conditionalities.

The huge price discounts offered on the products may not be genuine and often the prices may be inflated. There is every possibility of overcharging if consumers are not careful while shopping online. Citing his experience how he was deceived by an e-Commerce portal, an online shopper of the city said he purchased a pair of sandals costing Rs 799 attracted by the 50 per cent discount offer.

On getting the product, he came to know that it costs Rs 399 only as its maximum retail price was printed on its straps much to his chagrin. The instances of delivery of wrong products by e-Commerce portals to the online shoppers are galore. In some cases, the products mentioned as of export quality in the listing, may be of pretty ordinary variety which are available in the local market that too at a lesser price.

More and more people are opting for online shopping as it is time saving and the products of their choice are delivered at the doorstep. Another factor contributing to the growth of e-Commerce is exclusive launch of the new products and advanced electronics gadgets through popular portals and the pre-booking facility for the brand and fashion conscious young professionals with very high disposable income.

Underlining the need for consumer awareness among online shoppers, G Swaroopa who does online shopping regularly, said, “It is the basic responsibility of the consumer to look into every minute detail of the product and compare its price with that of other e-Commerce portals before making a purchase. There is of no use to fume at the e-Commerce portal after knowing that he/she was overcharged or they failed to make a better bargain.”

Commenting on the online shopping craze, Sk Kafil, owner of a bag shop in Besant Road, said: “Generally, latest varieties of merchandise are available in a metro city like Vijayawada. One does not need to do online shopping for the products which are available locally that too at a lesser price.

The price discounts offered by most of the e-Commerce portals are not genuine or otherwise the listed products are outdated. A wise consumer does not take chances by doing online shopping for the products which are available locally at a reasonable price.”

By Ch Sowmya Sruthi