The Two Sides Of Online Shopping

Living the fast life in this digital world can be exhausting at times. There is so much going on that we feel tired already just thinking about it. You are not alone in this realization. We may only see the glamorous life of others on social media but there is actually a dark side to it. No matter how hard you try to ignore it, it’s quite obvious that these popular influencers on social media would go to great lengths to make others believe they are leading a perfect life.

That double standard is what you need to remember when using the Internet or browsing through the various social media platforms. People will deceive you for monetary gain. If there is one aspect of this digital life that is the perfect example of such two-sided realities, it is online shopping. Many online shoppers are left in tears either because of online purchases that didn’t arrive or are way below their expectations.

The Internet is being widely used these days for online shopping. But it is like watching a movie where everything you see on screen is not always as it might seem. From a girl whose motto is ‘Netflix and chill’ all day to the grandfather who is unable to walk, this no pollution platform suits ones daily needs at any hour of the day. Many online sellers take advantage of this by employing a range of online tricks and fake promises to lure people to conduct fraudulent transactions, present fraudulent solicitations to prospective victims or to transmit the proceeds of fraud to financial institutions or to others connected with the scheme. Millennial’s are often considered tech-savvy and Internet-literate. We assume we know all the ins and outs of the digital world. And yet, plenty of us fall for the simplest of online scams. 

Online frauds are radically different from ones typically used by brick-and-mortar businesses. Here is a checklist to help you avoid losses in a situation where you cannot see the other party to the deal and identifying authentic sellers is all important. 

• Consumers must check the URL of the seller. 

• Understand difference between a domain name and URL.

• International or local brands, which partner with online shopping sites to sell their products should have a scrutiny system to verify that only the partnered sites are selling their products and not anyone else.

• Try purchasing from sites (e.g. Jabong) which have a one product one-brand policy.

• One should shop wisely and not fall prey to attractive discounts and offers.

• When buying a high-end brand, video tutorials on YouTube should be checked to distinguish the authentic from the fake or duplicate.

• Customer reviews are a great tool to check the authenticity of the product.

(Via: http://www.moneylife.in/article/online-shopping-beware-of-counterfeit-products/50604.html)

Those are just some of the tips an online buyer like you should remember when making digital purchases. Remember to be extra careful considering you have no idea where the seller’s physical store or location is and you can’t just easily return the item or get refunded like when you buy something from a legit store. Online scammers are everywhere and you don’t want to fall prey to their modus. Regardless of the item you are buying or the total amount due, you should check everything with an eye of a hawk to make sure you are buying from a legitimate and honest-to-goodness online seller from whatever part of the globe they may be from.

The rise and continuing growth of online shopping has not just changed the way consumers buy products it has revolutionized the way retailers do business. Every company can sell an unlimited range of products directly on their website, whether they are offering essential baby gear or niche film memorabilia. Distance and borders no longer pose any barrier between you and your customers. No matter what you are trying to sell, you will be able to reach across the globe and find a target market for it somewhere.

Online shopping has become a juggernaut that is simply too big to ignore. Last year, a major milestone was reached, with a survey by analytics firm comScore revealing that American consumers now buy more products online than they do in physical stores. The 2016 survey showed 51 percent of purchases are now made online, a significant increase on the 48 percent of purchases in 2015 and 47 percent in 2014.

(Via: http://www.techtree.com/content/features/12838/online-shopping-opened-world-products.html)

Our modern lifestyle prefers comfort and convenience above everything else. We love fastfood because we don’t suffer from hunger yet don’t have to go the extra mile of cooking every day after a long day’s work. The same benefit is offered by online shopping. On top of that, there is a wide variety of choices you don’t usually have when shopping from one physical store to the other. It’s because an online shop like Amazon, for example, carries different brands on virtually everything under the sun. Best of all, shipping is often waived when you shop a minimum amount of order. Shopping online isn’t always a bed of roses but it has its perks. It’s the reason why you keep coming back for more.