UPDATED: We now have a discount code to make your sign up to Aramex Global Shopper a little cheaper. Use AGS10TECH when you sign up!
There is something rather satisfying about ticking a few boxes online, punching in some credit card details and waiting patiently for your goods to arrive. I’ve spent the last two years online shopping for Christmas gifts. It’s far easier than braving the bursting at the seams malls…. most of the time.
There are a few online shopping headaches though that you may have had to suffer through.
Because I’ve bashed my head a few times I thought I’d tell you about some of the online shopping headaches I’ve faced and how to fix them.
1. Credit Card Fraud – Make sure you payment details are safe
So many people hand over their details without thinking twice. Credit Card Fraud is not something I wish on anyone (yes, it has happened to me). Make sure the store you’re shopping on has encryption installed. Known as a secure sockets layer (SSL), this type of encryption ensures your details are relatively safe. You’ll know if there is SSL on the site because the URL will start with https:// rather than just http. It will also have a little icon of a locked padlock (usually next to the URL).
2. Stay secure – Use a safe payment portal
Rather than just handing over my credit card details I usually like to purchase through some sort of portal or pay gate. My preferred means is PayPal. I think it is one of the safest options and works so easily. I’ve waxed lyrical about them before so I’m not going to blabber on here, but suffice to say I’m a huge advocate of the service. Especially as they now offer Refunded Return Shipping. This means they’ll cover your shipping fees to return goods that aren’t as per your original specifications. You’ll just need to activate it on your account here (it costs nothing).
3. Never accept no – How to purchase from stores who don’t ship to South Africa
How often has this happened to you? You spend some time online shopping and find the most incredible item that you’ve been searching for but on check out the store confirms that it does not ship to South Africa. Now what? I’ve been in this situation a few times and let me let you in on a little secret: I’ve never felt the disappoint or despair because I have an Aramex Global Shopper Account. I’ve written about this service before, but I’m going to share it with you again:
- You register with Aramex Global Shopper for a lifetime account. This costs you a once off fee of $45 (its just under R700, which is far less than the cost of some expensive shipping fees where you try ship things to a few different countries in the hope of bypassing the “no shipping to SA”).
- Once you have your Aramex Global Shopper account set up you receive 14 different addresses around the world: The USA, Canada, the UK, Dubai, most spots in Europe and even Turkey and Malaysia!
- When you purchase something online you can then put one of your Aramex Global Shopper addresses in when prompted for a delivery location. SO. MUCH. EASIER!
4. Beat the Customs Delay – Aramex Global Shopper
Local customs authorities are the biggest pain in the butt. Once your purchase arrives at customs it seems to disappear into a giant abyss of nothing. You don’t know where it is, you don’t know how long it is going to take to be processed. I purchased a golf club cover for an ex-boyfriend and it sat at customs for weeks! Argh! Then, when it is finally time to be released you need to pay a variety of taxes, send proof of payment and wait a bit more before the package is released. Again, I’m going to sing loudly about Aramex Global Shopper. They handle all the customs stuff for you. I purchased my Mooli Handbag and used the Aramex service. It took less than 5 days for my bag to leave the UK and arrive at my door. Your package is coming in with an international company who has the support of a giant organisation and company of staff who can make sure everything gets done quickly and efficiently.
5. The tracking code stops working when the package lands in SA – Again, Aramex Global Shopper
When you do purchase something from overseas and ship direct you get issued with a tracking code. A tracking code that no longer works when the package lands in South Africa and gets in to the clutches of customs (point 4, remember). Another reason to use Aramex Global Shopper – when your purchase lands at your global address you are issued a tracking code on the online client portal. You can then track the parcel from then on. The tracking code never changes. The online portal gives you updates the entire way to delivery at your door. It’s an absolute pleasure and so easy to see when your new items will arrive! Woohoo!
Online Shopping is actually so incredibly easy now. With services like Aramex Global Shopper the entire process is simple and straight forward. They handle all the hard stuff so you just have to sit back and wait for your item to arrive. If you’d like to sign up and join the Aramex Global Shopper family go here. I promise you will not regret it!
Do you have an Aramex Global Shopper account? Have you used it yet and what do you think? Let me know in the comments below.
