Shopping Online
Click. Choose size and colour.
Click. Add to shopping bag.
Click. Pay now.
Click. Confirm order.
Now all you have to do is sit back and relax as you track your purchase with the provided tracking number.
If you are like Carrie Bradshaw in the hit American television series and movie franchise, “Sex and the City”, you’d probably like to see where your money is – hanging in your closet. I am a self-professed shopaholic – both in stores and online. My first online purchase was back in 2009 when I bought a pair of jeans on eBay. I was rather skeptical about shopping online, what with all the credit card risks and what not, but my desire of procuring the gorgeous pair of jeans was inexorable. You may ask, “Don’t you want to try it on or feel the quality of the fabric?” So I must concede, yes I do, but these jeans can’t be bought in Malaysia. It’s as simple as that.
If you have always wanted to shop online, but you’re afraid that your credit card account would be hacked or that your purchase would not arrive safely, fret not! I have got a fair share of experience when it comes to shopping online. The first thing that is crucial when shopping online is to purchase from a trusted merchant or website. For example, if you intend on purchasing an item on eBay, always, always, always check for their feedback response and of course do take note of their terms and conditions. Next, you should check with the merchant or website about secure payment. Paypal is one of the safest ways to pay online. Certain websites have a lock icon displayed at the bottom of their home page, which guarantees that all information is private and confidential. Moving on, make sure you check the sizing charts because certain merchants do not accept returns, especially if your purchase is a sale item. Most importantly, confirm the item, size, and colour of your purchase. The next step is to obtain the tracking number (if possible) and voila! Watch as your purchase travels from the United States to Malaysia.
Many may think that shopping online is a frivolous activity which only burns a hole in your pocket. I am not going to condone such thoughts because shopping online is relatively cheaper than shopping in a mall; that is if you know what to do. Anybody would know that the government imposes heavy taxes on many branded items. As an example, a pair of Juicy Couture shoes would cost around RM400 if bought in the USA, but in the store back at our shores, they cost RM750. Yes, such a phenomenon causes effusion in many ways unimaginable, but what are we to do? One thing to keep in mind while shopping online is that the customs department taxes any purchase above RM500 (yes, RM500 INCLUSIVE of the shipping fees). Also, never ever have your purchase shipped during major holiday seasons because chances are that your shipment will be stalled at the customs department for a long while, and you’ll risk losing your shipment. No joke. I’m speaking retrospectively.
Shopping online is such a joy when you get to read other buyers’ reviews of items they have bought and tried on. However, if you’re one of those people who dispel any thoughts of shopping online because you’re the kind of shopper who needs to feel and see every stitch of a garment or try on a pair of shoes yourself, you’re not alone. While shopping online is a joy, I must concede, nothing beats having to feel the buttery nappa leather jacket between your fingers, or admire the meticulous detailing and stitching of a garment, and of course the smell of new clothes as you walk through the aisles in the mall.
Shopping is all about making choices. It’s best to refrain from purchasing shoes online, but if you are familiar with a particular brand name and its fit, then purchasing online would be a lot easier and cheaper because you will not have to pay those extra hundreds of ringgits in tax. So go ahead, click away! You know you want to…
BY ALISON TAN KWAN HWA
Click. Add to shopping bag.
Click. Pay now.
Click. Confirm order.
Now all you have to do is sit back and relax as you track your purchase with the provided tracking number.
If you are like Carrie Bradshaw in the hit American television series and movie franchise, “Sex and the City”, you’d probably like to see where your money is – hanging in your closet. I am a self-professed shopaholic – both in stores and online. My first online purchase was back in 2009 when I bought a pair of jeans on eBay. I was rather skeptical about shopping online, what with all the credit card risks and what not, but my desire of procuring the gorgeous pair of jeans was inexorable. You may ask, “Don’t you want to try it on or feel the quality of the fabric?” So I must concede, yes I do, but these jeans can’t be bought in Malaysia. It’s as simple as that.
If you have always wanted to shop online, but you’re afraid that your credit card account would be hacked or that your purchase would not arrive safely, fret not! I have got a fair share of experience when it comes to shopping online. The first thing that is crucial when shopping online is to purchase from a trusted merchant or website. For example, if you intend on purchasing an item on eBay, always, always, always check for their feedback response and of course do take note of their terms and conditions. Next, you should check with the merchant or website about secure payment. Paypal is one of the safest ways to pay online. Certain websites have a lock icon displayed at the bottom of their home page, which guarantees that all information is private and confidential. Moving on, make sure you check the sizing charts because certain merchants do not accept returns, especially if your purchase is a sale item. Most importantly, confirm the item, size, and colour of your purchase. The next step is to obtain the tracking number (if possible) and voila! Watch as your purchase travels from the United States to Malaysia.
Many may think that shopping online is a frivolous activity which only burns a hole in your pocket. I am not going to condone such thoughts because shopping online is relatively cheaper than shopping in a mall; that is if you know what to do. Anybody would know that the government imposes heavy taxes on many branded items. As an example, a pair of Juicy Couture shoes would cost around RM400 if bought in the USA, but in the store back at our shores, they cost RM750. Yes, such a phenomenon causes effusion in many ways unimaginable, but what are we to do? One thing to keep in mind while shopping online is that the customs department taxes any purchase above RM500 (yes, RM500 INCLUSIVE of the shipping fees). Also, never ever have your purchase shipped during major holiday seasons because chances are that your shipment will be stalled at the customs department for a long while, and you’ll risk losing your shipment. No joke. I’m speaking retrospectively.
Shopping online is such a joy when you get to read other buyers’ reviews of items they have bought and tried on. However, if you’re one of those people who dispel any thoughts of shopping online because you’re the kind of shopper who needs to feel and see every stitch of a garment or try on a pair of shoes yourself, you’re not alone. While shopping online is a joy, I must concede, nothing beats having to feel the buttery nappa leather jacket between your fingers, or admire the meticulous detailing and stitching of a garment, and of course the smell of new clothes as you walk through the aisles in the mall.
Shopping is all about making choices. It’s best to refrain from purchasing shoes online, but if you are familiar with a particular brand name and its fit, then purchasing online would be a lot easier and cheaper because you will not have to pay those extra hundreds of ringgits in tax. So go ahead, click away! You know you want to…
BY ALISON TAN KWAN HWA
