We asked our Facebook readers to share their experiences of online shopping with us. We were flooded with responses. Most readers were unhappy and said that online is the best place to buy fake items. Readers believe that most offers seem attractive but online retailers can afford to offer low prices because their products are a copy of the original labels. People have had difficulties returning their purchases and getting refunds. A few readers said that it is better to purchase home and kitchen appliances and accessories online than buying fashion items. Besides this, there were a few readers who find online shopping easy and time saving. But even they suggested that cash on deliver is a better option. We present a selection of experiences.
Don’t judge based on pictures
It varies with different types of items which we are purchasing. As regards electronics we cannot be sure whether it is used or new; in textiles the colour may not because in pictures things look lighter or darker depending on the camera settings and light.
From Mr Anand Kumar
Dubai
Not sealed
I had a very bad experience with online shopping. I ordered an electronic device and when it was delivered it was not sealed. I didn’t know if it was real or fake. But it was very hard to return the item.
From Ms Ferby Inso
Dubai
Missing features
I always thought online shopping was good. But then I bought a tablet and realised that the features mentioned on the website were not available on the tablet. The camera of the tablet wasn’t working and the battery was old, I could never charge it enough.
From Mr Ahamed Badusha
Dubai
Be smart
Online shopping has made shopping more expensive. It looks easier as it is just clicks away and most online websites attract customers with great deals. But it is wise to shop online only on trusted websites. Websites that offer different payment offers.
From Ms Shivani Singh
Dubai
Difficult to trust
When we buy electronics online, how do we know if they are new or already used? Both used and unused electronics are being sold in sealed packaging online.
From Mr Ragesh Kumar
Dubai
Not for everyone
I think online shopping is more for the older people, who find it difficult to go shopping in markets and shopping malls.
From Mr Don Joy Thottungal
Bangalore, India
Fake items
I don’t trust online shopping at all. I don’t say all of it is bad, but most items in my experience are fake. The delivered items are just a copy of the original products we order online.
From Mr Victor A. Luna
Dubai
Selected items
I think it is okay for kitchen appliances. But when it comes to stuff like sunglasses and watches, I don’t trust it and I don’t like it.
From Ms Cherry Red Escoton-Sy
UAE
Fradulent
Sometimes they have very good fraudulent items. How do you think that something things you need might not be available in store but are easily available online? This is because online is the best place to sell fake items.
From Mr Arshad Mohamed
Rajasthan, India
New trend
I really like the new trend of online shopping. It is a easy way to shop without wasting time.
From Mr Raja Tahir Mahmood
Sharjah
No refund
A friend of mine in Dubai ordered clothes from another woman who runs her business online. She completed the payment online but the parcel was never delivered to her. After sometime a part of the total sum was returned to my friend. But she still needs to get $800 (Dh2,938), which is a lot of money. The woman with the online business keeps giving my friend a new excuse every time. The matter was even reported to the Dubai Police, but nothing was done.
From Ms Kim Mohammed
Florida, United States
Not the same
When I look at pictures of items online, they look much better than what they do upon delivery. It doesn’t feel like the same item. It’s bad
From Ms Jennifer Sipin Villanueva
Dubai
Cash on deliver
I think cash on delivery is the way to go when it comes to online shopping. But, I still don’t like it because we usually have to pay the delivery cost.
From Mr Ryan Bose Bautista
Dubai
Good experience
Online shopping is a great experience. But it’s always good to opt for the cash on delivery payment because sometimes you can be cheated by giving your credit card details to a website.
From Mr Ashwin G Rao
Muscat, Oman
Why take a risk?
UAE is a small country. People don’t have to travel distances to find a shop. Then why should they be shopping online? Isn’t it better to go in persona and pick up what you like than risking your money online?
From Mr Ibn A. Sabeel
Oman
Free call back
I brought Samsung Galaxy S3 from a website and opted to pay cash on delivery. The website offers an option where you can simply leave your phone number and the admin will give you a call back for assistance! It offers great customer service at cheap prices.
From Mr Najeeb Puthiyallam
Dubai
Shop in person
I don’t believe in online shopping. I went to the shop. I chose what I needed. I bought it. It is as simple as that.
From Mr Dhruve Mital
Sharjah
Poor customer service
I agree that the online shopping deals are very attractive but the costumer service is very bad.
From Mr Shafi Bin Kabeer
Bangalore, India
Don’t fall in the trap
One of the local UAE online websites is simply cheating people. It is disgusting. The items I received are not working and when I returned the items the bank asked me for my IBAN number tp refund the money. After I gave them the IBAN they said that they have refunded the money and I need to go check with the bank why haven’t I received the money.
FroM Ms Alliyah Al Baker
Dubai
Delayed deliveries
When it comes to deliveries, they are always late. Often we buy things for a particular occasion, but if we receive it after the occasion, there is no point. Also, I warn everyone to only opt for cash on delivery payment method while shopping online.
From Mr Mohamed Fazurudeen
Sharjah
Best surprise
I like online shopping only when I use it to send gifts to my loved ones. It is the best way to surprise them.
From Ms Surbhi Kochar
Dubai
Communication problems
In my personal experience, very often the customer service agent has a south Indian accent. I find it very difficult to understand and communicate.
From Mr Abdul Hamid
Sharjah
Photoshoped
The bad side of online shopping is that sometimes they deliver defective and used items. Then it takes very long to actually return he items. Beyond this, the items one purchases online always look nice in the picture as the pictures are photoshoped to attract customers. Don’t expect them to be the same on delivery. This is my personal experience.
From Ms Jeanette Seda Namoc
Dubai
Limited options
If someone is smart enough to discern the good items from the fake ones, online shopping may be ok. Online shopping is useful when it difficult for someone to visit the store personally or the store is very far from home. Otherwise I think shopping in person is always more fun. When you go to find something in a shopping mall you often come across numerous options for the same. But online limits your options.
From Ms Suzanna Falorni
Istanbul, Turkey
Extra charges
I remember purchasing a branded handbag online. The brand is well-established and has many branches across UAE. However, the colour I wanted was out of stock in the stores. So I decided to check availability on their online store. I found it and placed my order giving the credit card details of my brother. Later I found that they had fraudulently charged us extra as processing and delivery fees. Also, when the item was delivered, its colour was quite different than what I had wanted and ordered. To avoid any further issues, I had no option but to accept what I had received. Therefore, I am not in favour of online shopping. It has many disadvantages.
Fatima Suhail
Sharjah
Transaction failed
I used to shop online all the time from different retailers, but recently I had the worst experience. I purchased an item from one of the local websites, the amount was deducted from my bank account, but it said transaction failed. I have been following up with their customer service for a month. They said they can’t help me because I had purchased the item from the German branch of the website. But I am so sure that the URL of the website I used ended with ‘.ae’. They told me to contact their Germany office. I told them I shouldn’t have to because I purchased from the UAE. They finally emailed their foreign office that emailed me back asking about the problem. After I explained what happened they told me that they need to discuss it over the phone. I sent my phone number and they sent me an email saying they can’t call. They were not allowed to make an international phone calls. So I had to call them. That was so cheap. I am never buying anything off that website again.
From Mr Rayan Moghrabi
Dubai
Editor’s note: Do you want to participate in our future Facebook discussions? If yes, like our facebook page and we will keep you updated with the upcoming discussions. To share your views on the newspaper’s content or to get answers to any questions you might have, email us on readers@gulfnews.com.
