Shopping has become a tireless affair over the Internet. However, if the recent report by Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) is to be believed then barring services like online ticketing and hotel bookings, Indian consumers aren’t comfortable buying items such as clothes, shoes and jewellery online.
Here some shoppers share their online experience.
Prompted by her friends, Nikhila Anand, professional, ordered a perfume on discount from a prominent website. However, when she got the delivery, she was in for a surprise. “It wasn’t the perfume I had ordered. They sent me a different one by the same brand. I sent them emails, but got no response. In my excitement after my first order, I went ahead and ordered another perfume and even though the company policy is to deliver within 10 working days, they sent it to me in three. I guess they were making up for the goof up,” she says.
Nikhila says she is not likely to forget her online stint. “Since my friends praised the site so much, I didn’t bother to do any checking of my own.”
It’s better to be safe than sorry, says Ishita Swarup, CEO and co-founder 99labels.com, who has a word of advice for eager shoppers. “Authenticity of a merchandise is a big question, so one must check the credentials of the site. Another thing that’s very important is to see if the site offers return policy on the product purchased.”
Ishita says contrary to the report there has been a surge of consumers shopping online. Rise in disposable income among the age group 22-35 years has boosted online shopping. She adds, “Websites need to be more responsible.”
For public relations professional Tanha Bhalla it was a nightmare when her account was hacked. “Somebody ordered a kurti in my name and when I got the mail from the site that my order is ready I freaked out. They told me I have to buy the product. Endless emails and calls cleared the confusion. I will be doubly careful next time I operate from my account.”