Just when I thought cutting down on shopping trips would actually stop me from spending money. I haven’t been prowling shopping centers for good ol’ shopping, that is for sure, but I don’t seem to save any more money than I used to when to stamp my feet all over shopping aisles by shopping aisle.

That, I guess, is the beauty and the curse of online shopping. A click is all it takes to part with my money. As much as it is convenient and all that, it is still a form of money spent, and it is money well wasted if those things are not up to the quality I have nowhere to complain to, nor can I ask for refund or exchange. Still, every now and then it is irresistible.

So far it is confined to girlish stuffs such as clothes, costume jewelries, and of late, bags. The bags has yet to arrive yet, so I hope it is going to be alright. The fact that I have never seen, touch or smell the goods kinda makes me feel like I am playing roulette here. They are not exactly very expensive stuffs but they cost me money nonetheless.

Been browsing lowyat girl stuffs of late, and transactions are satisfactory. Those sellers take their business very seriously. Have yet to try out ebay though. lelong was kinda expensive and independent sellers out there never really interest me. Besides, my previous experience with an independent seller makes me shun them because it truly isn’t worth my time and money.

It was something like this. I used to purchase costume jewelries from some homemade jewelries site and the purchase was defect upon arrival. That was two years ago, and despite apologies and promises of item exchange it just isn’t worth my time because the seller says she will send a new one along with my future purchase, which I find it absurd because I am not going to buy anything from there anymore. Quality was sub par and the things that I bought keep falling apart. It was an embarrassment to wear an earring which look as if it is going to fall apart, which it eventually did. So, no more buying from there. Its not that I am into wearing costume jewelries these days anyway.

So, I’ve wizen up. Did a lot of comparison and read a lot of customer feedbacks before giving business to where it worths. I find that it is important to purchase from sellers with genuine, good feedbacks and competitive price. You would be surprised to find a few sellers for the same items so compare their prices before buying. Do avoid rude and arrogant sellers because it is simply bad customer service. As there are no written rules for online consumers, it is best for us to decide and be prude.

I especially dislike sellers who talk about charity along their business lines. Excuses such as my items are expensive and the quality is bad because I will donate for what and what organization and charity and whatnots are simply excuses. Who knows if you really walk the talk after you get the money? You are just cheating us off money for all that I know anyway.

I am talking about my own experience here, because I feel very cheated. There are better ways to donate for charity, imho.