Russians realized how profitable purchases in foreign online stores are
Shopping tours abroad during seasonal sales have long been nothing new for more or less affluent Russians: in recent years, boutiques in the world's fashion capitals have largely made their profits thanks to extravagant shopaholics from Russia. However, financial troubles are clearly not conducive to "rag" tourism, so for those who are used to dressing at famous designers but are currently forced to save money, foreign online stores have become a real salvation.
Wardrobe with a discount
Clothing, shoes, and accessories are the main category of goods ordered by Russians via the Internet. Moreover, in packages arriving from all corners of the world, one can find not only everyday clothes, but also wedding dresses, sports gear, and even cowboy "outfits."
Internet shopping enthusiasts explain their disregard for Moscow stores simply: "Local boutiques have significantly fewer models," says experienced virtual shopper Alena Sklyar. "Moreover, they are all usually designed for standard figures, so it is quite difficult to find something decent for those with an unusual physique. Besides, online stores offer a wider range and a richer color palette. Of course, price also plays an important role. If in the capital popular Levi,s jeans cost from 5,000 rubles, then ordering online you can get three pairs for the same money."
Many English online stores have gone even further: in addition to good discounts, they offer their customers custom tailoring services. Clients of such boutiques have the opportunity to adjust the standard size to fit themselves and choose the material from which a suit or shirt with the owner's embroidered initials will be made. As a result, a men's shirt will cost 1,200-1,500 rubles compared to 3,000-5,000 rubles for similar quality in Russian stores.
Confusion with sizes is the main inconvenience of virtual shopping. However, purchased items can always be returned, exchanged, or offered to friends. But experienced online shoppers advise searching the web for a size conversion chart or trying on a desired item at a local store of the chosen brand.
At the same time, ordering clothes from famous designers online is not always profitable. And although prices for brands such as Gucci, Versace, Prada, or Dolce&Gabbana abroad may be almost 30% lower, customs duties on packages marked as containing luxury goods often make the purchase unprofitable.
Prices lower, quality higher
However, clothing and shoes are just one of the items that Russians order on foreign trading sites. English, American, Italian, Canadian, Japanese, German, and even New Zealand virtual marketplaces sell to Russia electronics, fishing rods, diving equipment, jewelry, cosmetics, watches, coffee, and even seeds of exotic plants, and at quite affordable prices.
However, the opportunity to save money, according to avid online shopper Vladislav Ryabinin, is not the only advantage of online stores. "You can always buy higher quality goods from foreign sellers," he claims. "In my case, it is primarily about electronics. For example, Nokia mobile phones in French stores come with a more durable metal cover, while we have plastic ones. Moreover, foreign sellers offer a more expanded package for the same price, items of which in our stores cost extra money. True, equipment, particularly from America, is designed for a different voltage, so for everything to work properly, you will need power adapters and converters, which will cost $10-15."
However, these additional expenses are nothing compared to how much you can save by shopping abroad. For example, choose a laptop, which in our country costs $1,500-2,000, foreign trading sites offer for $1,000, and iPhones for $200 instead of $700 in Russia.
Cinema is better wholesale
The range of foreign online stores has long been appreciated by fishermen and hunters. American and Japanese companies offer corresponding accessories on average four times cheaper than their Russian counterparts. For example, fishing rods that cost about $800 in Russia will cost $150-200 in American online stores, including shipping costs. The same goes for hunting accessories, which are available in assortment in US virtual shops. There you can also purchase the corresponding gear with various impregnations and insulation. In particular, a winter hunting jacket, which in our country costs at least 9,000 rubles, will cost $100 here.
With the help of the Internet, you can also save on the purchase of auto parts and tuning elements. From America to Russia, they bring luggage racks, leather seat covers, and ionizers, which are on average 30-50% cheaper. At the same time, there are very few people willing to order more serious parts via the Internet, such as engine or transmission components: given the customs clearance fees, such purchases cost a pretty penny. Moreover, experts do not advise buying numbered parts from foreign auto shops: besides significant expenses, this will entail great difficulties in processing the relevant documents.
American virtual phonoteques have long been held in high regard by Russian music lovers. And although video and audio discs from the US are only 15-20% cheaper than their Russian licensed counterparts, their quality is excellent, and one can also find rarities released in limited editions that are nowhere else to be found. However, buying discs from foreign sites only makes sense if ordering 10-15 at a time, unless, of course, we are talking about collector's items.