It can save you time and money, but it's not all smooth sailing in cyberworld
Story by YANAPON MUSIKET
It has been over an hour since her husband promised Malinee that he would come to bed. No, he wasn't out drinking with friends, and no, he wasn't enjoying the charms of another woman.
In fact, he was right there in the bedroom, sitting in front of the computer.
"He was browsing web sites, selling secondhand gadgets and searching for the best deal on the mobile phone he wants," says Malinee. "Ever since we got high-speed Internet, our nights have never been the same," she added, and she didn't mean that in a positive way.
The drama between Malinee and her husband aside, one thing that has to be acknowledged is that online shopping now plays a major role in modern life.
Many who are not familiar with the Internet may still have doubts: "What is so special about it?" asks 25-year-old teacher Kosin.
When Kosin overheard that the new model of his favourite mobile phone would go on sale in two months, he decided that it was time to sell the one he had bought just a few months ago.
After asking friends and colleagues for a week, Kosin felt pretty hopeless - no one expressed any interest at all. But once he posted his phone on a well-known web site, within two hours he received more than 10 responses, and at the end of the day, Kosin had sold it.
We live in an era where "just Google it" is the latest mantra. Anything is there for you to find through the magical search engine.
Finding information online is one thing, but what about shopping? What do people normally buy from the Internet?
"In Thailand, books and DVDs are the top items people buy online," says Usana Chantarklum, director of customised research at Nielsen (Thailand). She added that according to the latest research, its popularity is surging because the online shopping system is less complicated than it was before.
In recent years, online banking and payment web sites, such as paypal.com/ or the local thaiepay.com/ have become available here, serving the growth of online shopping in Thailand.
"I think it's very convenient. Some web sites even include free delivery. You just click and wait for the package to arrive in the next few days," says Preeyapran, a non-governmental organisation officer.
One of the great things about online shopping is that it saves not only your time but also your transport costs.
As reported by AFP, Vint Cerf, vice-president and chief Internet evangelist for Google, said during a meeting in Korea that increased oil prices might actually benefit Internet shopping because of its greater efficiency.
"I don't like walking around shopping centres," says 32-year-old Pitaya Petchmark.
"Sometimes after a whole day's browsing, I still can't find what I want. Browsing through those web sites, a variety of products are available at very attractive prices. That's the impression I have of online shopping."
Lately, online shopping is not just for people living in the city. Shoppers today are from all corners of Thailand. "I can now follow the latest trends even though I am here on the island," says Anchalee Pongosot, who lives on Koh Samui, Surat Thani.
The variety of choice, low prices and convenience are the advantages. But are there any problems?
"There are definitely risks in shopping online," says Arjaree Lordamrongkiat, a postgraduate student in business administration. "But, if you are a frequent Internet user, you know how to avoid them."
According to the research from Nielsen, Internet users who buy online tend to stick with regular web sites. Amazon and eBay are two well-known sites in the global e-commerce industry, but in Thailand, pantipmarket.com/ stands out as one of the most popular sites among cybershoppers.
Anything from expensive condominiums to rare talismans are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at pantipmarket.com/, as long as you are connected to the Internet.
"Cars are the most purchased item on our web site, followed by houses and computers,"says Siriporn Fapratanchai, webmaster at Pantipmarket.com/. In the six years it has been running, it has become a major player in Thailand.
Siriporn believes that her web site has gained a good reputation with users, but also admitted there are people who try to take advantage of the web site.
"In some case, buyers have transferred money to the seller, but never heard from them again," she said.
"We have staff to screen messages posted on our site. We also keep records of users who have tried scams on our site," Siriporn explained, "lists of bank accounts or user names which will be automatically deleted from the site."
Siriporn also noted that she is aware of the security issues since it is the most important thing for online business, and if her web site could win user's trust it would get more visitors. "It's beneficial both to users and the web site itself," she said.
The disappointments experienced by online shoppers appear in many forms: Receiving a product that doesn't meet expectations in terms of quality, or worse, receiving nothing in exchange for your payment.
"My suggestion is to make sure you visit the web site often," says Siriporn. "Read comments from other users and you'll get the idea."
Take Siambrandname.com/ for example.
In 2004, Unyanee Mooksombud set up a small online community to share her personal interest in "authentic" branded goods with other fanatics. Starting as a chat room, members started to trade items, leading to what is now the largest online market for people looking for genuine branded products.
If you visit a forum called "Catch Fake" within the site, you will find useful information on how to tell authentic products from the counterfeits.
Business comes after in-depth information trading among members about their designer products.
"People might think we are superficial, but honestly, I only bought one secondhand handbag from this web site, which I saved up for," noted one member.
"With 7,000 registered members, members' ID card numbers are required for those who want to sell products on our web site," says Pornanan Udomthavornsuk, a member of the site's research development staff. "It's the first screening to provide security for our members, since most of the products are high value."
Pornanan shared a story of a young man who was a victim of a scam on his web site. "He wanted to buy a nice gift for his girlfriend, and he heard about Siambrandname.com/. Unfortunately, he contacted one buyer, and met the man in person to have a look at the bag he was interested by himself.
"Since he had very little knowledge of brand name goods, he bought a fake," revealed Pornanan. "Luckily he took a photo of the person who sold him the bag, and we posted the photo on the site to warn other members."
After this, members became more aware and consciously concerned about the reputation of the web site and their own security. "Since Siambrandname is a mixture of community and online shopping, members agree to strict rules when posting items for sale. Each product must be pictured and available for veteran members to help screen for other members," said Pornanan. "The expertise scares the scammers away," he laughed.
According to Pornanan, business on the web site reaches almost one million baht a day.
"From the loyalty of our members we have gained over the last four years, Siambrandname is now preparing to set up a company to better serve our members and further expand our online community."
Malinee had better get used to being a cybershopping widow.
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