Friday, September 26, 2008

Question: Online shopping worldwide...

There is so much going on in the world today and boundaries are shifting. Online shopping is alive and well over here in the USA, but it isn't quite as accessible in other parts of the world. Anyone who knows me, knows I started to think!!!

As an image consultant , stylist and personal shopper based over here in the US. I get a lot of questions from people in Africa and in Europe about how they can get access to items we have over here. The obvious problem is no one wants to ship internationally, in other cases, its simply not knowing who to trust or how to even factor that into your current business.

I personally feel that it is very possible to get everything we get in the US to clients worldwide. Shipping outside of the United States is something I am tackling head on for a number of people and its working.

So my question here is this...if you could shop freely on a great website such as Zappos.com and get guarantees from ME that it would be delivered to you in about a timely fashion, how valuable would you find such an idea?? Shipping and clearing would be paid by you the customer (the company I use handles that too and its reasonable) But you would be guaranteed the same phenomenal customer service that companies such as Zappos offers over here...

Would it be worth it for you??

Please comment and feel free to share. This is possibly a great way to get more products into Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

Thanks in advance everyone I really need comments. Even if you disagree...comment anyway.

Have a fabulous weekend all!!!

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

approximately how much would it take to ship a pair of shoes to nigeria? approximately how long would it take for it to get there? how would your clients pay you? about how much would you charge for this service?

just a few questions/concerns off the top of my head!

SOLOMONSYDELLE said...

I actually had an online business for a while where I sold luxury items around the world. It was quite lucrative. You would be amazed what someone can't find in a Louis store in Sweden.

That being said, online shopping and shipping abroad can be quite dificult. When the buyer develops buyer's remorse or didn't read the description properly, you then end up with a complaining customer and that is never god for business.

I know someone who has a business delivering specific products to nigeria from their website and the person is based in the US. Business will always work with proper planning, determination and customer service, I guess.

If you do go into a similar venture, best of luck to you!!!

NIGERIAN CURIOSITY
IT WAS SO MUCH EASIER WHEN I ONLY HAD ONE...

Anonymous said...

My trouble is why there is a demand at all. There are fabulous vendors of clothes, shoes, and bags in Nigeria and Africa as a whole and they are in need of support. However, because of cultural and taste imperialism, we believe more in western products and there is a greater demand for this products in Africa. Have you thought about going the other way. Bringing African products to the west??? Sorry I am in a economic policy class right now and I am getting irritated at all this idiots yarning dat Africa is still in the dark ages. Idiots! Anyways sha DO YOU.

Remi Fagbohun said...

@Temi...Thx for commenting. First the price of shipping would be determined by what you buy. Payment would be made in Nigeria. I wouldn't charge for the service, this is something I am doing to make a point - middle class Nigerians also want the same things middle class Americans want.

Why do people want things from other countries? Simple - because we always want what we cannot have!! Brits come here to shop, We go there and to Italy...not because its cheaper, just because WE CAN!! That's like asking why is there a demand for anything foreign in any given country! Africa is not isolated anymore and we should have just as much access and freedom to choose as anyone else (at least that's my thinking).

Try to remember that people go by what they see. Its until better images are shown of us that we can be viewed differently. Image is everything even for countries...our image definitely needs improvement. Good luck with your class love :-)

@solomonsydelle...I totally understand! There is just so much that people want its crazy!!! Even in places like Sweden and even U.K. Though VAT issues always hurt any kind of online shipping with that country unfortunately :-)
Customer service is something we would be focused on. Credit would be issued(I think) no refund though...
Thanks for commenting. What happened to your biz?

Remi Fagbohun said...

Just realized Temi and Temite are two different people...but I think I meshed both comments together in my mind :-)

Jackie E. said...

Sounds like you have a great idea there but then again I'm not surprised:)

Anonymous said...

am not a big fan of online shopping...why should i have to pay for shipping n handling?

Remi Fagbohun said...

@Jackie E - thanks for the vote of confidence :-)

@Funmie - I swear you had me dying of laughter. When you go to the mall how do you get there?( I know you might say a friend gets you there-LOL) or how do you get anywhere to get what you want? Transportation and its never free!!

There are quite a few companies such as Zappos that offer free shipping...so there you go. But I personally wouldn't knock any company for charging. If we are talking about Nigeria, then I KNOW that this is still going to be cheaper than buying a pair of "suspect" shoes for 3 or 4 times the price.

Thanks for the comment though. But pls think about this for people outside of the USA that have fewer options than we have.

:-)

Anonymous said...

Online shopping has become added and added accepted in America as we are all analytic to save a little time and money.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you have a plan. Once you have a plan, it's only a matter of executing it. I think you are on your way!

Remi Fagbohun said...

@ John and jewells ...thx!!

Anonymous said...

Online shopping is gaining more and more popularity and there are many reasons why. It not only saves gas and reduces air pollution. Online shopping can also save a fair amount of money and precious time.