It occurred to me this morning, while on the train, that the majority of things I was wearing or using were obtained from online sellers:
- I was using an orange Kaweco Ice Sport fountain pen to make the notes I’m basing this post on – bought from NoteMaker (online, AU),
- and was writing in a Moleskine notebook – bought from Planet Books (shop);
- I was wearing a Tissot watch – bought from eBay (online, UK)
- and a jacket – bought from Etsy (US),
- a black tshirt – bought from an online tshirt shop (AU),
- trousers – bought from a now defunct clothes retailer (AU),
- with socks from a shop (AU),
- shoes also from a shop (AU),
- bra from an online organic cotton seller (AU),
- undies from a shop (major AU supermarket);
- I was carrying two bags, one from Notemaker (online, AU)
- and another from an Etsy seller based in Sydney (online AU)
- plus three rings (all from shops because old) ,
- a jade bangle (also shop-bought, in Singapore),
- a smoky quartz necklace from Etsy (US)
- and earrings also from Etsy (AU),
- with non-tangible items being deodorant (online, Tinderbox, AU),
- perfume paste (online, also Tinderbox, AU),
- and moisturiser (online, Lateral Food, AU),
- and from time to time checking my iPhone (online).
That’s thirteen out of twenty items purchased online.
I went to the bead shop yesterday and while there, actually found myself thinking that it would be so much easier if I was browsing their shelves virtually/online in the comfort of my own home. The only good thing about going to a physical shop is being able to immediately get what you’re after, assuming they have it in stock.I used to be slightly wary of buying things online because you couldn’t hold or touch the item first, but I seem to have gotten over that reservation over time. Besides, these days it’s possible to read reviews, recommendations and comments from other customers, which can be far more useful than the assistance you get from a shop assistant.
I much prefer buying from Australian online shops as postage is usually a bit quicker than if the item is coming from overseas. I’m not averse to going overseas if what I’m after is not available locally or is super expensive. I buy so much online that I am on a first name basis with the postmaster at my local post office, and they don’t demand my ID when I have to sign for something!
4 Comments
Very interesting post, have you bought anything from http://www.amazon.cn? Most of the prices of books are almost 1/4 of what I am getting here in Australia!! Very tempting!
I do a fair bit of online shopping too, mostly from NZ online retailers. I find I’m often disappointed with the offerings from brick and mortar stores. I really like http://www.felt.co.nz for quirky crafty things (it’s like etsy for NZ). I think part of me also likes to have the parcels delivered! But it is so convenient to not have to physically go some place and troll through the store looking for something that they may not have.
I use the online grocery shop option a lot too. This amuses me because it’s like the “olden days” when my great-grandad was alive. He was a grocery boy and would visit the household and recite the offerings of the store including the specials for the waiting housewife. She would then place her order and it would be delivered later by bicycle. It’s back to the future!!
Hoi, I did not realise there is an Amazon.cn. Uh oh…
Penny, I know what you mean about the range of things available in the shops. Here in Oz it feels like all the shops have the same sorts of things, like they’re just playing it safe. If you’re trying to buy clothes, for instance, and you’re not interested in what’s fashionable, then you’re in trouble… The one thing I have not bought online yet is groceries. I’m not 100% sure why!
How good is the Kaweco? 🙂 Glad you’re enjoying yours.
I online grocery shop from time to time. It was especially handy when I was housebound and on crutches last Nov-Dec.