Cheap Online Store?

[noob_saibot]

Would any of you by from an online store that was 7-15% cheaper than every other online store for PC hardware and electronics?

The only catch is that you would have to pick up your purchases from a drop-off point once a month (primarily GP).

Feedback is welcome.

 

[Replay]

The fact that you have doubts should be enough reason to stay clear.

Me...no, I wouldn't

 

[*SynergyX*]

you would never able to swing that 7-15% cheaper rate in any case if you hope to make a reasonable profit - profit margins in the online business are minuscule...

 

[Beachless]

If it is COD maybe.

 

[MickZA]

The only catch is that you would have to pick up your purchases from a drop-off point once a month (primarily GP).

So you can wait up to month between parting with your money and collecting your goods?

... not a chance.

Besides which the advantage of online computer shops for people outside of the major areas is that the goods will delivered to your door, usually within a day or so.

 

[noob_saibot]

Thanks for the feedback so far.

@MickZA:

Would cash-on-pickup work? Or is the "waiting period" the issue?

I can definitely understand that people may want their products ASAP, but was hoping to see if buyers would wait to save some money (especially on bigger/expensive purchases).

 

[HDS]

Thanks for the feedback so far.

@MickZA:

Would cash-on-pickup work? Or is the "waiting period" the issue?

I can definitely understand that people may want their products ASAP, but was hoping to see if buyers would wait to save some money (especially on bigger/expensive purchases).

Well if it would be 7-15% cheaper then I guess some folks wouldn't mind picking it up...but waiting for anything over a few days for your purchase is absurd. There will certainly be a market for what you want to offer, but in the age we are living in people want to buy and get their product as soon as possible. From my POV, it wouldn't be a viable business model if you want to make proper cash.

 

[MickZA]

Would cash-on-pickup work? Or is the "waiting period" the issue?

I can definitely understand that people may want their products ASAP, but was hoping to see if buyers would wait to save some money (especially on bigger/expensive purchases).

Assuming it was COD the waiting period would still be an issue besides which most online shoppers are pretty savvy when it comes to pricing (that's why we shop online ) so I'd be dubious that you could offer 7-15% savings on R10K+ items.

 

[xodosman123]

you would never able to swing that 7-15% cheaper rate in any case if you hope to make a reasonable profit - profit margins in the online business are minuscule...

That is what you think and you are wrong..

 

[SJB]

Wishlist for Online Shop

Prerequisites:
Best internet price less 10%
Same warrantee as other online retailers
Convenient and Safe pickup (ie not in JHB central!)

Some suggestions to make it attractive for me:
1) Indicate the ETC (estimated time for collection) at on the website, specific to the product being viewed
2) Clearly indicate it for the product on the time of purchase
3) Even if you provide a final firm quote (similar to Rebeltech) subsequent to that, please include the ETC.
4) Suggest the following payment options to be considered
a) Credit/Debit Card on Collection (if you are new to the online scene, this would be the only way to attract suspicious customers) and EFT on collection (you'd have to have accounts with the 5 major banks) Even Better is you can accept E-Bucks/Discovery etc!
b) 50% payment on acceptance of quote (EFT/Card/Ebucks/Discovery)
c) Would not recommend taking cash as you'ed be a sitting duck... making it very unsafe for me


If you can do the above, I'd be the first to place orders for 6TB WD Reds due to the problem we recently had at Take-a-lot....