Add to Heart: Why We Shop and How to Shop

Do you ever just find yourself adding so much in your online cart and the next thing you knew, you’ve already placed your order? Then, you shamelessly wonder why you have so many parcels on their way to you. Now, you start to laugh with regret.

A lot of you might have started a hobby or an addiction to online shopping, especially when the pandemic started. We were not able to buy on physical stores and shop for items personally. There were restrictions and we would not really want to risk our health just to shop. Good thing there were e-commerce platforms or online shops. Well, maybe it was a good thing at first.

Time passed by and online shopping became a trend, a norm. People are sharing the things they bought and other people would want to buy that same item. There were monthly sales and promos and some get more encouraged to buy. More people became impulsive buyers – one look and they’d want to buy right away.

This online shopping trend may be both bad and good. But, the addiction and hype for it is understandable. Why do many people craze about online shopping?

First, it is convenient and easy. You look at the picture, description and reviews and then click checkout and place your order. Now, all you need to do is wait. Some items are cheaper online than in physical stores. There are also free shipping promos and discount coupons from time to time.

Second, it has become a coping mechanism and a source of happiness for some people. Being cooped up at home during the pandemic were not really good for our mental health. We needed something to spark our motivation. And some of us resort into impulsive buying and online hauls. Our online shop addiction may be called as retail therapy. We buy to make ourselves feel better. The excitement of waiting for something while your parcel is being shipped makes you feel alive.

Third, it is their own version of self care or self love. When you shop, it is something you do for yourself and yours only. All the time, you work for others. It’s just nice to do something for yourself. You reward yourself for working hard.

That’s the good thing about online shopping. It only becomes bad when you become excessive and undisciplined. We shouldn’t forget how to shop properly.

• Always read the product description. Some people think they got scammed but it was actually their fault of not reading the specifications of the product.

• Take time to browse the reviews. A high rating may not be a good sign in reality. You must check the reviews because some people give high rating even when the product has significant issues.

• Try to find shops with cheaper or better service. There are countless online shops in e-commerce platforms nowadays. It may be the same product, but it has different price in every shop. In online shop, you have to out an effort in finding the best shop.

• Look for ways to save money. As much as possible, buy when there are free shipping vouchers and promos. Take advantage of discounts and cashbacks. Here are some tips when shopping at this specific platforms – Shein and Shopee.

Here's more:

• Earn points in Shein everyday by checking in your account in the app. You can use this points to reduce the price of your purchase. A hundred points is equivalent to one dollar. You can earn more than 700 points before the first points you earned will expire. Take advantage of their free shipping and make reviews or additional points.

• In Shopee, there are groups and pages (e.g. Shopee Buddies in Facebook) that share links of free shipping vouchers with no minimum spend. Buy when there are free shipping and cashback vouchers. Check in everyday for additional coins.

Hope this helps!