Week 4: "I'm gonna pop some tags, only got 20 dollars in my pocket"

"Whoever said money can't buy happiness, simply didn't know where to go shopping" - Bo Derek

Fly money, fly.

This week in class, we were talking about E-commerce. I am sure most of us have used the internet to purchase something from an online shop, a blogshop, big retail companies, social media networks and the list goes on and on. There are so many avenues to get what you want, anywhere, anytime. Well, for me, I love shopping............

hahahhaha.

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Instead of focusing on the business perspective of E-commerce, I am going to look at the perspective of the consumers. In class, we learnt that there are 6's that makes the consumers want to shop online.
Let's recap. (and I'll explain to you further why)

1) Convenience

You can shop when it's convenient. Anywhere, anytime, always, all day everyday.

Why is it convenient?

• You can minus all the hassle of walking around and then feel tired afterwards. You SAVE energy.
• You can access online shopping ANYTIME. Remember those nights at 3am in the morning and you don't know what to do but you don't want to stay in bed and you don't want to go out because it's too creepy outside? yeahhhhh.....What can save you? Well, online shopping what else??
• You can pay digitally. Forget all the hassle of cash cash cash $.$
• You can wear pyjamas to shop. (personally, my favourite. actually you don't have to wear anything when you shop too. FREEEDOM~)

• You can SAVE time. 
• Avoid (the ever so annoying) crowd. 

2) Cost

You save cost when buying online because there's no middlemen involved.When there's no middlemen, you can get your things cheaper because you get your items direct from suppliers. Besides, more online businesses are now offering discount rebates, coupons, tying up with payment merchants and even free shipping to entice consumers to shop more with them.

One example is ASOS:

 or even Zalora:

We don't exactly use coupons when you shop outside, do you?
(ok I think there are some who do, but I don't. Carrying the coupons around? It'll probably get lost in the mess of my bag.)

3) Choice

There's a lot of variety on the internet. The possibilities are endless. One day you're looking for shoes and the next, you're looking at bags and then tops and then wallets and then you realised you were looking for shoes at first so you look for shoes again. (and then the whole entire cycle repeats)

There's just too many too many choices. Seriously.

Besides, most websites offer "What others who bought this may be interested in" section where they show what others who looked at the items bought and are interested in as well. Brilliant idea in my opinion.


Don't be too easy to get sucked in with these temptations. They can be evil.

4) Customisation

Sure you can get customised service at a shop, but online shopping offers you more than that. You can personalise your own things and you don't have to come down personally to the shop. One example is may28th watches where there is an option for you to insert your own photo on the watch or you can choose the other default background that are already on sale. After all that is done, you can get it to be delivered to you to your doorstep, WITHOUT leaving the comfort of your own home.

Or you can even ask the sellers to package it nicely for you so the receiver can receive it at their doorstep just like a gift all wrapped in ribbons. (if not you can always address and deliver it to yourself in the super pretty packaging hahahah) One company that does this is Apple!

I love this idea!

5) Interactive Communication

If you had a bad experience and you need to complain OR you need to ask questions regarding a product, do not worry there will always be a way for you to find out the answers. There will usually be a feedback or query form on the site, or now, with the help of social media, there will always be someone on the other side manning the site. They will try to help you in any way possible. (and might even reimburse you if you are not happy with the products!)

One example is Scoot airlines where they have a live chat especially during one of the night sale. This was informed in social media.

 

Even Macdonalds have their own feedback area:

6) Control

You can have control on whatever content you want. You can restrict the things you want to appear on your Email. You can subscribe. Or unsubscribe. You can avoid certain sites. Or you can frequent certain sites. You can shop locally. You can shop worldwide.

Basically, you have the full control of what you want.

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With all the 6 customer power, it is no wonder why people shop online. But beware of shopping online excessively, it can even lead you to the 7C......

Cramp (& probably broke too)

 

After endless hours of scrolling and searching for the right one and putting it all in your shopping cart and forgetting to eat, drink and sleep, you might suffer from cramps (and a bad one at that) So make sure you're always well rested, hydrated and full before going online shopping. (remember, the possibilities are endless)

Better to be aware. Prevention is better than cure. ;)

So before I end of, here's a little friendly advice from me to you:

1) Always remember to shop in moderation.
2) Check for the reputation of the business before buying (look at testimonials! & make sure it's a legit sites too)
3) Set aside money so can control how much you want to spend.
4) HAVE FUN!!!!!

This post was inspired by:

Till Then,

A.