Hi all,

I was just wondering if they use the internet a lot to purchase goods locally? it has taken off in UK, Australia and USA, so just wondering with all the foreign influence in Thailand, if it has become popular to do so? cheers

To some extent, Zalora.com is quite a hit for Asian fashion and clothing. E-Books are taking off soon

But unlike the UK where retail is derailing, Thailand is still expanding a lot on physical retail stores, as you could see with numerous malls popping up here and there.

I buy many things via internet and I see more e-commerce websites such as clothes, cars, properties, products,…, some of them have their own website or take option free classified , it save time (for me) to walk around to find something.

You have to take a look at the under 30's to get an idea. In which case I would say it has really taken off.

A lot of second hand stuff (cameras, phones etc) sold over internet but people will normally meet to inspect product.

In the case of clothes, cosmetics etc its just ordered.

In my opinion it wont be same same as the west. Travel yes but not consumer goods as much, perhaps fashion but high end only.

Credit cards are not used the same as in the west- In Asia I think they treat them as a loan so once maxed out that is it

Direct deposit is the same as shopping retail -pain in the butt so shop in stores

Youth don't have credit cards in Asia as much -heck most adults don't qualify

Lack of return policy- as mentioned people still meet to make sure the product is in working order

Malls are everywhere

Locals know where to shop

Lack of Prepaid credit cards

Lack of credibility of postal & courier services

Duty & taxes still a major concern

Verified by Visa API verification used on very few sites in Asia

Now for me, I have Canadian & UK credit cards and I only shop on sites in those country's I wont risk my credit card company sending a red flag alert that I purchased something from Australia or the US. It has happened so many times I gave up.

In my opinion it wont be same same as the west. Travel yes but not consumer goods as much, perhaps fashion but high end only.

Credit cards are not used the same as in the west- In Asia I think they treat them as a loan so once maxed out that is it

Direct deposit is the same as shopping retail -pain in the butt so shop in stores

Youth don't have credit cards in Asia as much -heck most adults don't qualify

Lack of return policy- as mentioned people still meet to make sure the product is in working order

Malls are everywhere

Locals know where to shop

Lack of Prepaid credit cards

Lack of credibility of postal & courier services

Duty & taxes still a major concern

Verified by Visa API verification used on very few sites in Asia

Now for me, I have Canadian & UK credit cards and I only shop on sites in those country's I wont risk my credit card company sending a red flag alert that I purchased something from Australia or the US. It has happened so many times I gave up.

Where i am from people shop a lot online and credit card use in the Netherlands is real low. There are now payment options that you can directly pay from your bank and its garanteed for the seller.

So creditcards are not really needed it can be done without them.

I buy a lot online here i use paypal or if i have to the credit card but i rather not as it is rather unsafe compared to paying direct from the bank. Actually now in my country we also got an extra security for creditcards while paying online. You use a kind of calculator with a key so you dont give out your real credit card details.

Much better as giving your credit card details in the USA where they get stolen.

Someone mentioned duty and taxes. Is there a rule of thumb for what that would be if you ordered something from another country?

Is there a hassle factor which makes it also unattractive?

Thanks.

Edited September 18, 201213 yr by NeverSure

I think that logistics need to improve significantly to make online sales work more effectively.

Ecommerce in Thailand needs 10 more years...