Single, working and tired at the end of the day I always have
the reason to run to the mall.
I have all the reasons from catching up with the girls to dinner cravings – except
shopping. I dread the thought of going to the mall and purposely getting
something. The process of having to go visit several shops and get specifically
what I have in mind – it just takes too much of my time. Then getting
disappointed Size 6 shoe is out of stock or that Size 6 is not standard. The
long queue is another thing (impatient eh!). With my 5-ft frame I get swept by throngs
of eager shoppers and their shopping bags during Dubai shopping seasons.
On most
occasions, I end up empty handed with what I need to buy and excessively spend on
my favourite shops. It’s too late before I realize I overstocked of body butters
and shower gels. And every so often, I end up purchasing something that I will regret
before the train gets to the first stop - it’s just that I get so weak in the
knees with the sight of oh so tempting 'blings' dangling in front of me and all reasons are rolling in my mind why I deserve another reward then feel
guilty.
With that established, it’s easy to
explain why I got hooked with online shopping. Well, if not entirely hooked like
a bratty shopaholic, at least lured into shopping unplanned and on a regular
basis while wriggling my toes underneath my office table. The greatest convenience
is I just can do it anytime of the day in between and while taking calls and sipping my green tea. Strategically-sized discount tags popping up in my inbox
in the middle of important mails. Discount marks that psyche one into thinking he/she
is saving instead of spending – tsk! tsk!
Who would have predicted online
shopping will be as common thing as Facebook readily accessible as long as you
have an e-mail ID? But there are also drawbacks to the convenience of shopping
on a click.
1)
The Facebook Profile Pic Shock – you fell in love, you clicked ‘buy’,
when the package arrived, the actual is a far cry of what is advertised. #sobs
2)
The morning after regret – you gave in, probably because of the
hormones raging, when everything else subsided, you received the sms and the
amount is deducted from your available limit. You ask yourself: 'Oh boy! Did I really
make that unnecessary purchase again?' Then it’s too late.
3)
‘Til death do us part – if he snores, you have to live with that for
the rest of your lives, annulment is more expensive at this stage. Somewhere in
the links you are too lazy to click says refund will just be a headache, they
will be ‘glad’ to give you that as store credits instead. Fine print: you’re
stuck with your purchase.
4)
Along came Mr. Wrong – and
you’re just too excited dear Mr. Aramex finally came knocking at your doorstep and
surprise!!! It’s 2 left shoe in the box or not the item you paid for. If it’s their
mistake, they can exchange, you just have to wait for another day. However if
the item has to be shipped from somewhere, you have to wait for another 3
weeks. #goodluck!
5)
Long engagement – you stare at your ring and the stone stares
back, sometimes you ask: will my order ever come?
6)
Online shopping is to online dating as actual shopping is to actual
dating, to real shopaholics nothing substitutes the joy of the real thing.
7)
Authenticity check – what an extravagant savings even mom is
impressed. But as you cannot feel or sniff, authenticity cannot be guaranteed. #megawatt doubt
8)
The lies, the scams – they lurk in legit sites, sweet ramblings,
roses at hand, they get you into thinking the business exists and after you
send your money they’re gone as fast.
9)
Communication – the lack there of and you feel hurt and ignored.
1) line always busy, 2) you were kept hanging, 3) can’t give the real stat, 4)
the standard dialogue and lies, 5) etc… etc... - and you are raised to a full scale war.
10)
Hit and miss – you’ll only find out how it fits on first date.
