Shop hopping no more

Ankita Kumari loves to shop but isn’t a big fan of going around the city to find what is “in”. If that would have raised eyebrows a few years back, it is not the same case now.

The Patna Women’s College student does most of her shopping on her computer, thanks to websites such as Yepme, Myntra, Jabong, Flipkart and eBay. What hooked her on were the never-ending deals, the price range and numerous brands available to her, all at the click of a mouse.

“Online shopping is the ‘in thing’ these days. It has become a popular trend because people get better deals online. I usually buy trendy and stylish shoes, clothes and other accessories online. Most of the sites give me a better deal than the retailers in the city,” said 22-year-old Ankita.

If you thought the youths were only hanging around the online sites for clothes and accessories, think again. Sites like Flipkart, which has lately branched out to fashion and accessories, is a big hit with gadget freaks too.

From the latest iPhone to the smartphones of every company all is available on the sites like Flipkart and eBay. Apart from the cash on delivery and various payment options being a major draw, the youths can surf the sites, get the price best suited to their budget and buy it all with the accompanying comfort of being at home and not sweating it out on the roads. If that was not enough, the shoppers can also “cart” their goods — save them at the checkout counter — and finalise the payment later. Of course, the goods are not yours until you pay.

College student Vikash Prasad said: “I am a gadget fanatic and easily prone to buying the latest devices in town. Recently, I purchased an iPhone 4 through Flipkart. I had gone to mobile phone stores in the city too but I found that the price the online sites were offering were much better for me. At the same time, there was no compromise on the features but assured guarantee and free shipping. Of course, I bought my new phone from Flipkart.”

The free shipping is a big draw when it comes to the portals trying to win the loyalty of every potential customer out there.

Going by the shopping trends, it seems the days when people would have to go out of their homes to get new clothes or appliances are gone. The growth of e-business has also led to the market expanding with companies putting their goods on the online sites to reach more patrons. The patrons, from all age groups, in their turn have the freedom to shop at their own convenience — if required, at 1 in the night.

Bank clerk Sumedha Goswami said: “Online shopping is a great way to purchase something. I prefer to shop online unless I want something urgently. The awesome daily deals we get online are one of the reasons they are so popular.”

If the ratings and reviews of the products are helpful for a person trying his/her hand at the online portals, during festivals, purchases on the sites hit the roof.

The chance to get attractive discounts, assured gifts and coupons all sitting at home is not something to let pass you by.

Homemaker Anju Sinha said: “I usually buy products through Homeshop18 during the festivals because it offers discounts as well as many exciting gifts or vouchers. I do not get time to go out and shop after finishing work at home, so it is easier for me to get everything online. I have bought home appliances, clothes and accessories online.”