Friday, April 20, 2012

Free International Shipping: A Reality?




Can you resist the urge to buy that branded bag on sale overseas?  Were you tempted to click on the icon, encode your credit number and realized only later that you were charged a lot higher? Free international shipping sounds like a “too good to be true” offer. For many who buy products from international stores, expensive international shipping costs can be discouraging. What we don’t know is that there are actually free international shipping services available.

The development of technology has not only bridged communication but made international shopping possible. This, unfortunately, does not include free international shipping. How convenient it is nowadays to get the chance to buy something your geographical location has hindered you from acquiring. Before trying it, however, consider the advantages and disadvantages of buying online from international stores.

Aside from avoiding shopping buzz especially on holidays, it is faster to shop online. With an internet connection, one click of the mouse can make deals for you, anywhere and anytime. Saving on travel time and going around the store for things you like are also beneficial. With your credit card, you don’t even need to queue at long counter lines. The time saved can be spent in doing something more fruitful.

Shopping online, however, also has its drawbacks. The time we saved from not having to travel can cost us our privacy and identity. Hackers stealing people’s identity online can be the biggest threat. Our well-loved idea of cashless shopping with our credit card lets us pay more for what we are getting. Here, we may not be aware we are charged with expensive international shipping cost much more costly than what we bought! Another trouble is we won’t be able to inspect the products leading to dissatisfaction, so we need to return the goods. That sounds like another shipping fee again.


With your computer and Internet, you are open to countless possibilities. You can shop at your favorite store in Paris or New York without even leaving the comforts of your home. You don’t even need to rush after work just before the mall closes. They said these ease in shopping has hidden disadvantages we don’t realize until we look closely at the amount we’ve been charged. Shopping online isn’t all disadvantages. Instead, we just didn’t choose our shopping sites well. With the sky-rocketing international shipping charges, there are stores that offer equally excellent products and free international shipping service.  

I have heard people complaining like, “How can freight companies charge us with such a high shipping rates? How does everyone deal with international shipping? Is there a way to avoid this problem? Is there an available cheaper option for shipping bulk items? Shopping online, like many business people is a wise choice. We just have to shop at stores that offer free international shipping. Most online sites that offer much cheaper prices on their goods actually charge expensive international shipping costs separately. That causes you to pay more than you’ve expected. Shop wisely!


Here is one site that lists stores with free shipping: 
http://freeshippingworldwide.org/?show=search&extra=articles


Friday, April 13, 2012

The Dangers of Online Dating

African Online Business Group. Chatting their way to cash. (Image from Google.com)
The dangers of online dating has just increased tremendously. With the advent of technology, even relationships upgraded. What used to be a great aid in communicating has become a way for others to get deceived or to deceive. Have you ever asked or wonder what might be the dangers of online dating? 


Research have shown that 2 out of 5 relationships started online. It isn't something shocking as almost all of us are hooked up in a wired world. There is no place on earth to hide anymore. But other than the undeniable benefit it brings, online dating has become an avenue or danger. It has become a dangerous playground of hearts, of deception, and of abuse of those who may be letting their heart rule what the head should control.


Online dating can pose danger if one isn't strong enough to resist falling inlove with someone they haven't met. People you met online can be a group of African syndicates that target those who are longing for the love of their lives overseas. Think of this: These people scammed millions out of those who believed and they are willing to invest time and effort to get you milked. 


Next, online dating might be an avenue to meeting Ms or Mr Right, which has worked for many, too. This, however, make up the minority of those who joined especially the free sites. If not those from Africa, one danger of online dating is that you might meet or even get to date someone who lies about age, weight, marital status, and other stuff that may hinder the growth of a true and lasting relationships. Some people may even get you played as they consider you a part-time lover. This will eventually end up in heartaches and missing opportunities you let go coz you think you have found the right one and made them a priority.


The most widespread danger of online dating is getting involved in cybersex. Most people in free sites would resort to friendly talks first to get into what they actually wanted to do. When invited to do video chats, be sure you are willing and ready to see what you might not expect to see. Some people are actually exhibitionist waiting for the perfect timing to get things done. 


Online dating has brought people together. It has made love stories possible even across the miles. Many have found success with love that started online but double that number to get into the real figure of those who have fallen into the dangers of online dating. It is best to just enjoy the moment of dating, and maintain awareness of reality. If you can't even totally trust those whom you see everyday, how can you trust people online so much?