This is how I would like to frame my answer.
If I am ready to compromise on little price differential than other online stores; provided that online store is giving me better offer than any brick store than I would prefer to buy online from eg want to purchase MacBook then my options would be:
1) Amazon - The best store. Customer friendly policy and you will never be disappointed in the worst scenario which u may experience during the sales and service.
2) Apple - apple website do not operate in india but outside india this is most trusted medium.
3) flip kart - still I would be little wary but I guess they are improving day by day with respect to customer friendly policy.
4) none
Now twisting the rules a little bit say you are ready to buy online from any store provided you play safe as the store is offering best deal online.
Here you have to keep few points in mind as transaction amount for MacBook is high.
I recently purchased a MacBook Air from Paytm and this is what I followed. The deal on Paytm was too sweet for purchase as I was getting MacBook for 5k less than on Amazon so I was ready to take calculated risk such that my money won't be blocked in the worst scenario. For MacBook purchase this is what I did:
1) There were many store on Paytm offering Macbook at competitive rate. The sellers price was near to each other i.e if I add 500 rs more to the lowest offering then I was able to identify 3-4 sellers.
2) Next thing I did was I selected each seller and saw how many orders were placed with them. In Paytm this is displayed after u add the product from that seller.
3) Identified top two sellers which had furnished max order. Note that the sellers are on Paytm only and when I searched on net i was not able to find much about them so bet was choose an exp seller. Between my seller was SMART DEALS
4) I purchased the MacBook and made the payment via credit card. Ensure to make the payment via credit card. All credit card are insured for buyer protection. This means if anything goes wrong then you can call credit card and report the transaction as fraud and will be able to claim the money. The reason is if seller do not settle claim with you then his credit history will be screwed forever so only choose credit card as option. In Paytm also pay via credit card.
5) Now it's time to collect extra evidences for your purchase which will boost your position for worst case scenario. In my case; I called them up and told them that I placed an order online and wanted to know when this will be shipped; how this will be shipped and told them that I wanted seller to ship it via air and preferably via Bluedart or FedEx. I asked him to put this in the customer notes for the seller. Asked him the call record number - which proves that I called him and he noted.
6) After 2 days; I send him an email and reiterated the same thing and explained that I want a best customer journey and they responded with positive number. So now I have written communcation and confirmation.
7) I just felt relaxed for another 3-4 days and saw that on 4th day my laptop was delivered to me via AIR shipment from ECOM courier. Attached is the image.
8) I was really happy as it was the best deal better than USA price for the same laptop.
The idea is if customer is vigilant then you won't be cheated. Prepare yourself for the worst scenario and take calculated risk.
Hope you enjoyed the answer
Update: adding pics of MacBook along with its original box. This white box was bubble wrapped and was placed inside a big brown carton and shipped to me.
If I am ready to compromise on little price differential than other online stores; provided that online store is giving me better offer than any brick store than I would prefer to buy online from eg want to purchase MacBook then my options would be:
1) Amazon - The best store. Customer friendly policy and you will never be disappointed in the worst scenario which u may experience during the sales and service.
2) Apple - apple website do not operate in india but outside india this is most trusted medium.
3) flip kart - still I would be little wary but I guess they are improving day by day with respect to customer friendly policy.
4) none
Now twisting the rules a little bit say you are ready to buy online from any store provided you play safe as the store is offering best deal online.
Here you have to keep few points in mind as transaction amount for MacBook is high.
I recently purchased a MacBook Air from Paytm and this is what I followed. The deal on Paytm was too sweet for purchase as I was getting MacBook for 5k less than on Amazon so I was ready to take calculated risk such that my money won't be blocked in the worst scenario. For MacBook purchase this is what I did:
1) There were many store on Paytm offering Macbook at competitive rate. The sellers price was near to each other i.e if I add 500 rs more to the lowest offering then I was able to identify 3-4 sellers.
2) Next thing I did was I selected each seller and saw how many orders were placed with them. In Paytm this is displayed after u add the product from that seller.
3) Identified top two sellers which had furnished max order. Note that the sellers are on Paytm only and when I searched on net i was not able to find much about them so bet was choose an exp seller. Between my seller was SMART DEALS
4) I purchased the MacBook and made the payment via credit card. Ensure to make the payment via credit card. All credit card are insured for buyer protection. This means if anything goes wrong then you can call credit card and report the transaction as fraud and will be able to claim the money. The reason is if seller do not settle claim with you then his credit history will be screwed forever so only choose credit card as option. In Paytm also pay via credit card.
5) Now it's time to collect extra evidences for your purchase which will boost your position for worst case scenario. In my case; I called them up and told them that I placed an order online and wanted to know when this will be shipped; how this will be shipped and told them that I wanted seller to ship it via air and preferably via Bluedart or FedEx. I asked him to put this in the customer notes for the seller. Asked him the call record number - which proves that I called him and he noted.
6) After 2 days; I send him an email and reiterated the same thing and explained that I want a best customer journey and they responded with positive number. So now I have written communcation and confirmation.
7) I just felt relaxed for another 3-4 days and saw that on 4th day my laptop was delivered to me via AIR shipment from ECOM courier. Attached is the image.
8) I was really happy as it was the best deal better than USA price for the same laptop.
The idea is if customer is vigilant then you won't be cheated. Prepare yourself for the worst scenario and take calculated risk.
Hope you enjoyed the answer
Update: adding pics of MacBook along with its original box. This white box was bubble wrapped and was placed inside a big brown carton and shipped to me.
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