The convenience and accessibility of online shopping is helping it go from strength to strength in the UAE
The UAE is famed for its malls and its residents’ love of shopping, but how many people here shop online?
Shopping online is part of everyday life for millions of people across the world as it proves to be more convenient for many people as you can access it anytime and anywhere, but it is a relatively new concept in the Middle East. Many people may buy airline or concert tickets online, but the same cannot be said for larger consumer goods.
There are many benefits which make online shopping an excellent option for busy shoppers. Some of these benefits include convenience, comparison shopping capabilities and home delivery. Shopping online these days is also very safe and secure, especially when shopping with a payment services provider such as PayPal, as no financial information is shared during the transaction.
One of the most enjoyable benefits of online shopping is the ability to shop for products or services at a time which is convenient for the consumer. Online retailers accept orders 24 hours a day while consumers who wish to shop at traditional stores have to be available to visit the store during normal business hours.
Another advantage is the ability to order products from around the world. Shoppers are no longer limited to a certain location, because the vast majority of online retailers offer shipping to many different locations.
However, in our region we are starting to see interest growing in people buying online, with more merchants starting up operations and processing payments through their websites, such as MarkaVIP, Souq, Namshi and Cobone. In fact, studies show that the online retail industry in the GCC is estimated to grow annually by 35 percent to US $15 billion by 2015 (according to Visa International).
Contrary to popular belief, the Internet is safe to use for e-commerce. Online stores keep updating their websites’ security in order to make sure consumers’ personal information and credit card details are kept safe. However, it is a lot safer if you take a few simple steps to protect yourself when shopping online:
Basic Tips
When browsing through virtual shopping aisles, be sure to use:
A secure password. When setting up an account at an online store, don’t pick everyday words, family member names, or birthdates. Instead, use combinations of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Also, keep passwords unique from account to account.
A secure checkout and payment process. Make sure the online store uses Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), which encrypts sensitive information. Look for the locked padlock icon at the bottom of your browser window to see if you’re protected.
A secure payment provider. Services like PayPal are safe and convenient and limit the exposure of a shopper’s credit card online. Visit www.paypal.com/ae for more details.
Seller Reputation
A little research goes a long way. Take the time to get to know the merchant or seller.
Learn about merchants. Look for reviews from other shoppers. Many e-commerce sites, including eBay, have feedback systems that feature comments and ratings from other buyers.
Ask questions. Get answers about an item from merchants before you make a purchase or offer. Good communications help ensure a smooth transaction.
Look for a refund or return policy. If a policy is not posted, ask the merchant if there is a time-limit to return an item and whether a full refund or merchandise credit is offered.
PayPal Verified Sellers. Check for membership status and look for Verified members who have been active for at least 60 days.
Item Specifics
When you’re considering a particular product, make sure you follow these cautions.
High demand/value items. Products that are hard to find or expensive – such as computers, jewellery, and electronics – require extra caution. Do additional checks and double-checks before making your purchase. This is especially important during the holidays.
Confirm authenticity. For collectibles, such as sports memorabilia, take steps to confirm that the item is authentic.
Common Warning Signs
Indicators that should immediately raise a red flag.
Delayed shipping. Do not overlook the advised delivery date.
Unsolicited offers. Receiving an unsolicited email from a seller with a similar product that you made an offer on could indicate possible fraud.
Too good to be true. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. This includes sellers offering very low prices or large quantities of impossible-to-find items.
Pal that’s simple and secure…
Another way to ensure safety is by setting up and transacting through a PayPal account. PayPal is simple to set up and you only enter your credit card details into the secure site – www.paypal.com/ae. Then, when buying online using multiple websites, all you need to do is enter your email address and PayPal password, not your credit card details. Also PayPal’s partnership with Aramex means shoppers in the UAE can purchase goods in the US, UK and China, which may not ordinarily accept local cards or addresses, and have them shipped to their address…
