Are you Compromising on Quality when you Shop Online in Pakistan?

“Is it going to be as good as it looks in the photo?” “The price tag is unbelievable, it must be a very low-quality product?” “The model is so petite who knows if this will fit me or not?” “I cannot pre-pay, what if it never arrives?” These are only a few of the many questions that light up ahead of any online purchase you dare to make. Not to mention the lingering fear of disappointment until your purchase arrives home and you finally get to unpack it. Let us swallow the honesty pill and admit that more than half of us never get to that! In light of horrific experiences we have had before, we rarely make purchases online! But how can you ensure great quality and satisfaction while utilizing the technological advancement in the shopping arena?

Filter brands with an onsite Presence:

We all love playing safe, who wants their hard earned money to be wasted on poor quality products. So when it comes to shopping for clothes online, you have a never-ending list of brands in Pakistan. The first and most important filter you need to apply is that of brands with an only online presence and those with both, online and onsite existence. This just ensures that you are getting what is being sold on the market generally under the brand name. The size, fabric, and cut would be standard. And on your leisurely trip to the mall, you can even peek in the store for your personal reassurance. Cougar may not be as popular as Breakout or Outfitters when it comes to western clothing but Online shopping Cougar experience has been seamless for me. They have numerous stores all over Pakistan, and the website is super user-friendly, plus they restock their products quickly! What more can you ask for?

Buying Makeup Online? Big No No!:

One thing is an absolute no from my side. Never shop online for makeup. Pakistani manufacturers are so good at making fake products look original that it will take a very seasoned makeup artist to differentiate. Especially, when a makeup brand is not made in Pakistan, I get serious trust issues while ordering it online from a local website. This is your skin at stake here, poor quality clothing you can discard or replace with a better one, but it takes years for your skin to recover from a bad reaction. Do not risk it, only use tried and tested makeup. Also, it is always important to see how something sets on your skin before purchasing so make an extra effort to visit makeup stores for the sake of healthy looking skin.

Read Customer Reviews:

A little bit of research is very important. Get into the habit of reading about the product or brand you are about to order from. You want to know how the experience has been for other people and what to expect. Recently bloggers have been very active in Pakistan, especially those who honestly give reviews about the products they either purchase themselves or are sent from various brands. You can always get in touch with these bloggers and even ask them to review a brand for you!! Thanks to the internet, everything is a lot more accessible!

Write Customer Reviews:

Now writing customer reviews do not really directly affect your online shopping experience, but it is just an ethical practice that we all must engage in. I find it extremely frustrating when I cannot find even a single review of the product I am hoping to buy. Your review will help someone just as someone else’s review helped you at one point. Secondly, constant online reviews will urge online brands to keep their promises and deliver a high-quality product. The days of customers suffering in silence must end!

Read Brand Policies Closely:

Hire a personal legal assistant! Just kidding! You do not need a lawyer to get through the brand policies and identify customer rights. Always stay informed about what kind of cushion a brand offers to its customers. In case you have a bad experience do not stay silent, always contact the customer care of the brand. All good brands accommodate dissatisfied customers in one way or another. So why not take advantage of it? All you need to be a bit more proactive and well informed.

Tread carefully when you shop online, online shopping is nothing less than a black hole, you never know what you will get so always make conscious choices. Instead of being reckless, be an informed shopper. Not every brand out there has a great online service but that does not mean you have to drag yourself to the mall all the time. Make use of the technology bestowed comfort!