To understand the impeccable effect that eCommerce world has made in our everyday life in previous decade, what you have to do is a survey among your friends or relatives regarding their method of buying products! You could understand that most of the society now depends upon eCommerce websites, unless they follow traditional ways of purchasing products. Now, considering powerful rise of ventures such as OLX Bangladesh, a web-based platform that helps users publish free classified ads, Internet world is an effective platform to sell products as well. It is also worth noting that the enhanced effectiveness of such platforms can attract even basic users apart from expert ones of the web world.
Yet, such popularity has created a strong dilemma among users, when they want to buy electronics for personal use. More than often, most gets confused whether should they go with online platforms or stick on to the local stores. In this article, we would like to remove the dilemma through comparison of various parts of buying things online. We shall discuss both advantages and disadvantages of buying mobile phones through online shopping websites as well as local stores (offline). We guess, we would be able to create an effective verdict on this topic at the end of article.
Buying Mobile Phones Online
Here, we shall explore different perspectives of buying your desired Smartphone or Tablet PC using eCommerce sites that have become popular in previous years. Moreover, we do hope most of you are interested in this method rather than the offline counterpart. Of course, there are some exclusive advantages when you buy mobile phone online and major ones are as follows.
- Cheap Price: Sometimes, the discount that you get from these websites is impressive, as the discount may be more than 50%! Unless you hate discounts, online shopping websites are gifts for every user. In addition, during special seasons, you can grab additional discount from these websites, and these discount offers make sense and are cost-effective, indeed.
- Quick Availability: Even after the official launch, it may take a few weeks for the device to be available in the region of yours. Nevertheless, when it comes to the case of online shopping websites, the availability of such devices are very quick than you expect. Despite the fact that you might have to wait a few days according to the shipping requirements, you can have your Smartphone with you in lesser time. Obviously, the easiness of selection process is also important.
Yet, we should point out those disadvantages of buying mobile phones online. For instance, if you are living in a rural area, the shipping constraints of the online shopping website may restrain you from having the product delivered at your doorstep. Also, there were some reports regarding shipping of bad-quality products. Considering these, unless you have chosen the best provider, buying mobile phones online is not a completely safe job.
Buying Mobile Phones Offline
It is quite obvious that buying mobile phones offline can provide you several advantages as far as the REALITY of that process is concerned. Some of such notable advantages are as follows.
- When you have approached the nearest showroom to buy the Smartphone or Tablet PC, you have the ability to ‘really’ check the device before paying the amount. In that way, you can understand various sections of the device, and thus make a clear confirmation. So, it is a great deal when you buy mobile phones offline.
- Returning and Warranty: When you purchase the device from the nearest store, you have fewer things to be worried about, because you can always approach the store even if you confront some issues with the device while using it. On the other hand, in the online counterpart, you will have more jobs to complete when the warranty has to be availed.
Just like the case of online websites, offline counterpart has its own disadvantages. For instance, the device won’t be available soon in your region. Also, the price may vary (yeah, it increases) due to the tax and other things when you purchase from the store.
So, what should you do?
Considering all what we mentioned above, it is clear that the better option is online shopping, because it offers less price as well as quick availability etc. On the other hand, offline method can let you ‘really’ check the device. Yet, we can fix this issue of bad delivery and other stuff by relying upon established eCommerce websites in country. Thus, it is preferable to buy mobile phones online rather than the offline variant.
I would not mind accepting buying it offline from trusted stores like snapdeal.com, infibeam, mobilestore or ebay.
In this online world, consumer cannot afford to miss mobile & internet connectivity, as internet being the main medium to shop, review, chat & share information. So, definitely buying from an online store is itself a rich experience for saving time & money.
Superb bro…just supper super super
There is no harm in buying mobile phones online. You can check all its specification online and compare before buying. I would say its easy to find your choice by sitting at one place. It saves your time too. You can buy mobile phones by check all its features here
http://www.samsung.com/in/consumer/mobile-phone/mobile-phone/
Both of the mediums for buying a smartphone has different usage. The online mediums provide the discount, and offline mediums offer hands-on use, warranty, and other stuff.
But why is there a considerable difference between the online and offline mediums? Like smartphones are cheaper on Online marketplaces and expensive in offline stores? Is there anything I am missing here?
Nowadays offline prices are getting down and almost equal to online.
I always prefer the Offline medium to buy the smartphone. Atleast I can have a decent chat with the sales executive in the shop.
Online shopping is great, but I don’t have any taste in it.
I can understand that Fred. Thanks for your input.
People have accused Online marketplaces of selling defective or refurbished smartphones on the name of new ones.
I still prefer visiting the shops and trialling the smartphone first before buying. Atleast I get instant delivery of the device.
Well that is a valid point Patrick.
Thanks a lot for this Interesting post.
Thanks Swaraj
Why would people line up in front of Apple Stores? Because of Ambience and Buying experience. Online shopping is convenient but lacks the buying experience.
Yup. Some people prefer to look and feel it before buying.
I choose online shopping. Helpful for a busy guy like me. Your order and forget. The delivery guys will deliver it to your doorsteps. Very convenient.
Thanks for your comment, stay tunned.
Buying food items online is different and Buying Mobile phones online is different. I always visit the Apple store for buying new iPhones. I never buy my iPhones from online marketplaces.
Thanks for your comment Nicolai
Discounts on Online marketplaces for Smartphone is what keeps me away from brick and mortar showrooms. You save a lot of money on smartphones with discounts, cashback and cellular offers. that’s not possible with offline mobile shopping.
True.
Even with discounts, people are still preferring the brick and mortar smartphone stores. Feel is what missing in online shopping.
Yes that is true for some people.
Offline stores provide instant delivery of mobile phones. No need to wait for two-three days. :p
Yes, Jerry, that is a valid point.