Lazada Review: The impact of a dedicated online store

In South East Asia, the Ecommerce industry is challenge for anyone in the past. One reason is the market audience that is capable to pay online then was really low. Most of them are not even credit card owners. For the few who do posses a credit card, not all of them are convinced in online transactions. It's actually expected since online frauds and scams are widely known online. It doesn't help that customers are used to traditional offline businesses since they are more credible than online businesses. Since in offline business we can deal face to face, we feel more secure in proceeding with a transaction. However, we sometimes fail to realize that we are missing out on legit online businesses, which offers better. Since online malls don't store rental fee, they usually offer lower priced items. It's the edge of online stores since they can offer better discounts and promos. It's almost a requirement for any online store since they need to convert offline customers to online.

Lazada is one of those online mall website who is also available across South East Asia. In the Philippines, they are actually one of the key online shopping malls that offer huge selections that is similar to a department store. They first introduced Cash on Delivery or simple called C.O.D. It's clearly the reason they immediately made an impact up to now in the market. They recently celebrated their first year last April and are already achieving milestones that no other online store achieved at very short span.

A lot of competitors came out of nowhere since their arrival in the country last year. It only proves that they showed to the locals the potential of Ecommerce in the country. It's only a matter of time on how online shopping will further thrive. With their unconventional approach, they managed to win the hearts of the local market. Now that they have Cash on Delivery, they now tap customers that can’t pay via credit card. This increased the current market audience since majority of the local online users can only pay via cash. Aside this breakthrough, they offer free delivery as long as the transaction value exceeds one thousand pesos. They will waive the shipment fee if it exceeds one thousand mark.

With Cash on Delivery with Free delivery, it is a combination that will entice users to choose online malls over traditional malls. They actually save more money if they go for online shopping since they don’t need to spend extra money on travel expense. They also can reserve their energy and time. No need to go through the traffic when you need to go the location of a traditional mall just to address your online shopping needs. This is actually a more convenient alternative shopping experience that we can do from wherever and whenever we are. What’s great is that it offers rock bottom special discounts every now and then.

A New Take on Online Shopping

Aware of the simplicity and convenience of online shopping in the U.S. and other countries, I tried my hand on ordering a product from a Philippine online store several years ago. I paid for the purchase with my credit card and the website sent me an email acknowledging the transaction together with the expected delivery date. I expected to receive my order in seven business days as promised and my credit card notified me of a completed transaction which meant I owed them the cost of the product I purchases online.

The seven business days turned into eight, then ten, and fourteen days but no product had come. Every time I called the online store's customer service, they give me the same spiel - they will check into it. Finally, on the twenty-first business day, which is almost a full month in terms of calendar days, I received the much-anticipated package, only to discover a damaged product. I will not narrate anymore the horror of calling customer service and arranging for the replacement of the damaged product but right then and there, I promised myself never to buy from an online store anymore.

Until friends and co-workers started telling me about the online shopping mall that everybody is raving about. Lazada Philippines, people told me, is an entirely different breed of online store. It is not only a store; it is a mall that carries a wide array of products that range from electronic goods to children's toys. Name it and they have it, my friends and co-workers told me.

Browsing the Online Shopping Mall

Initially, I refused to pay attention to the praises people had been heaping on this Philippine shopping mall. Traumatized by my online shopping experience, I refuse to believe that there could be good online shopping in the Philippines. Later, my curiosity got the better of me and I decided to browse on the Lazada Philippines website.

Just by browsing this online mall made me decide that the people behind this online venture had given an entirely new meaning to online shopping in the Philippines. I tried registering for an account at Lazada Philippines and I found out that there are no long forms to fill up as they require only basic and minimal information. The registration could be completed immediately and I found out that I was all set to start shopping right away.

I noticed also that shopping was very easy as you can go from one product category to another. The product filter provides the price range or the list of brands for a particular product category so deciding on what to buy comes very easy. It is also easy to make a comparison of product from one manufacturer to another, enabling you to make an intelligent choice of the product you will buy.

Mode of Payment

I was amazed to learn that there are other modes of payment other than the typical credit card. I was surprised to find out that there are still people who sell products on Cash on Delivery basis. And an online store at that. Then there is the BDO Installment payment mode. I am wondering what this company will think of next.

New Idea on Online Shopping

After I made my first purchase from Lazada Philippines, the product I ordered was delivered at my doorstep in less than five days. I first checked the content of the package and after making sure that it was the correct product and that there was no damage or defect, I handed my cash to the delivery agent. Now, I have a new idea about online shopping in the country - it is at par, if not better than online shopping in other countries. But only if it is Lazada Philippines.

Dear Lazada, Thank You for Being a RELIABLE Friend

In this day and age when everything is fast and disposable, even companies or websites that sell stuff cannot be counted on anymore. How many of us have tried ordering products online – whether via FB or Multiply – only to end up disappointed. It can be different things – because the seller did not send the actual items; the delivery arrived late; or, the said item was substandard or wasn’t anything like how it was described at all in the site.

This has happened to me plenty of times. The worst case was when I tried to purchase beddings and linens  from an online seller. The first few transactions went well; there was a slight delay in shipping on one of my orders, but since she was very nice and sent freebies , I let it slide. Then came a big order. I wanted to change the curtains and bed sheets and pillowcases in my kids rooms, so I turned to her for my order. After sending the money I immediately got a nagging feeling, like something was definitely wrong. True enough, I called and emailed and there was no response. Poof! My 5000 disappeared just like that.

Lazada has Total Accountability

A year has passed and I never tried to purchase anything online since I was duped of my hard earned money.  My sisters have been urging me to try shopping at the Philippines Online Shopping Mall. They say that Lazada Philippines is a reliable company and that my money is safe with these people. I did not want to believe them until I saw that they offered the Cash On Delivery option. It made  me think long and hard, if you were a fly by night company, you wouldn’t offer such a show of faith to your clients and customers.

So okay, I gave in. I tried buying one small item. Small but it met the minimum amount required for a Free Delivery, that was good enough for me. I was pleasantly surprised that they sent an email confirmation for my purchase. I thought to myself, hmmm, they sound professional if they bother to send their customers an invoice for each item purchased.

On Schedule

Just so you know, I ordered a night stand from Lazada Philippines using the Cash on Delivery option. I figured that if they don’t send me my items, then I have nothing to pay. So no harm done on my part. However,  I was really surprised when someone came knocking at my door two days later. It was the 2Go Service and they were delivering my item. I was stunned.  So I paid for my item and saw that the delivery van had other items to ship in my area. Again, I was impressed. I did not realize that Lazada Philippines had such a strong following.

I tipped the delivery people and asked them to wait a little since I wanted to check and inspect my item – it worked fine and boy, was it pretty!  Right at that very moment, the dark cloud of shopping gloom lifted and I knew I was ready to shop online once again – provided its at Lazada Philippines!  For me, this is the most reliable shopping site anywhere in the world!

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