An Analysis of the Flipkart Shopping Experience

First let me go though why I required Flipkart then will discuss in lenghts about them. So here’s looking my 10th keyboard in past 2 years, tried different brands but back to most trusted one which earlier had lasted for almost 6 years. Since my naughty kid is always excited to break keyboards, here’s one more time I was made to buy. I quickly opened Flipkart and searched various wireless keyboards and my search ended with Microsoft 800 wireless keyboard. I ordered it through Rs. 1443. It was shipped within 2 hours of ordering from Mumbai warehouse.

By the time I realized that I should instead buy a cheaper option in Logitech Wireless Keyboard K230 and save half money so that if one fails or gets broken I can buy another i.e. for price of 1 Microsoft 800 wireless keyboard I can buy 2 Logitech Wireless Keyboard K230! So I picked up phone and called 18002089898, Flipkarts’s toll free number and got my shipped order cancelled. The guy on phone was very polite and understood my thoughts well and didn’t questioned on my cancelling of order unlike other online sellers. One of the biggest reason to buy from Flipkart. To my disbelieve I got refund as wallet within 4 hours and got instant SMS alert for the same. That’s some awesome customer service. Hats off guys. I went ahead and placed order for Logitech Wireless Keyboard K230! And this makes me write a detail review for Flipkart, here you go.

Searching items on Flipkart is quite a easy affair. While you can experience any product by feeling it in any shop offline, Flipkart makes you find most suitable product when you search and has ample of pictures and descriptions to understand how the item looks like. Needless to say, one can find items listed under various departments and also using search box. They have Electronics (mobiles, tablets, laptops, computer components and accessories, camera etc), Men/Women/Kids section (clothing, accessories, footwear, fashion and health), Books and Media, Home and Kitchen (Home appliances, kitchen appliances) and Other stores mainly for Sports, Fitness and Luggage.

While one search he/she gets most popular items on the page which can be selected from a category, in my case I searched wireless keyboard and went to Computer Accessories and from there to Keyboards and had to press button of wireless only to see all listed wireless keyboards on Flipkart. Once on page we get option of Relevance, Price Low to High, Price High To Low and Discount to further suit search in our benefit.On left hand panel you can select price range or different brand of choice or also various product features available say if it’s a mobile you canfind only android, windows or regular models easily and that too under a specific price range.

Placing order is always easy at Flipkart. One can either place order as guest or using his Flipkart’s id. One can also use his/her Facebook or Google Plus account to login quickly. Once you select you method you are taken to order summary where you can review your order and even gift wrap them if you are going to surprise someone, cute na? That surprise gift wrapping costs 30 bucks only. You also can give your mobile number where you’ll get several notifications regarding orders like order placement to call from delivery person once it is to be on way your home!

You also get several users, certified buyers or anyone who has already used any product, reviewing and throwing light about item you are willing to buy. Comes handy to know about how the product actually is from st hand experience of already buyers. Flipkart also have rating system which can come handy for understanding items ratings in compare to its counterparts.

Shipping costs vary from seller to seller. WS Retail which is Flipkart’s own retail store, charges 40 bucks for items ordered below 500 and free shipping on above 500. Other retailers charge as low as free to 90 depending upon item and shipping speed. I would highly recommend WS Retail here for ease of use, own networking for shipments, dealing directly with store owner, Flipkart.

Online shopping in India is considered highly risky by many of us we know, not the real DesiDimers but those who are somewhat unaware of online shopping. The one big people were reluctant to opt for shopping online using their Online banking account, debit or credit cards. In this way, we need some trust worthy online shopping portal which could be used to purchase various items since there is sad reality of Timtara or Hushbabies in past. Here to my wishes Flipkart comes out to be most trusted one not alone by me but also by many of those un-online-shoppers too. And we have that always handy COD feature too.

So we are on payment page now, we get option of Net Banking where 52 banks, yes you read it right, almost every bank in India, total of 52, are listed to pay via Net Banking! You also can pay via credit card or debit card too, from Credit cards it can be Visa, Master or Amex and International Cards are supported too. Debit cards of Visa, Master or Maestro are also can be used with International Cards also supported. EMI can be used too for the orders of 4000 and above. COD requires just a phone call verification and is one of the safest option for those who are new to online shopping, doesn’t requires any card or bank account. One can also use Gift Vouchers and recently launched PayZippy which is flipkart’s own payment gateway and I highly recommend PayZippy so that they can save some money on payment gateway and transfer the profits to us in as more better prices.

Once order is placed you get instant SMS confirmation and email. Here’s how your order looks like you get

Once Your order is shipped you get tracking details which is available in order detail and is real time updated (those green dots will tell you where your item has reached!) They have a comprehensive order system through which you can track your order at every stage.

Generally other online shopping, to whatever experience I have, never call you for delivery or SMS. But Flipkart 1st sends an SMS about expected time of delivery and a call once delivery person is nearby home. That’s very handy if one is busy in some other place. The best thing about this is if you are out of town you can intimate the delivery guy to hold onto delivering the item until you reach back!

If you want to cancel an order which you have placed, in case you changed mind or found a better price elsewhere, you can do it anytime before the item has been shipped (and even if it is shipped in case seller is WS Retail sending item though Flipkart’s own logistic eKart). Your full amount will be given back to the account you used to make the payment. Recently Launched eKart is great advantage for all orders purchased from WS Retail in this regards and also quick shipment as Flipkart’s trusted touch.

So now you have parcel in your hand. I always find Flipkart’s packing excellent and indeed very cautious approach taken while package is in transit. Never got any item broken or otherwise. Even if it broken they have very generous 30 days “no question asked” refund/replacement policy. In case you find item got defective in transit or otherwise, doesn’t suits your requirement, is not what is shown on site and be it any reason of your dislike, just an email or phone call to toll free number would be enough to get refund or replacement. They give a return id which you have to write on parcel and give person who’ll come to pick up. Ideally they issue refund or send replacement once they get item back but I find them awesome when refunds are almost in few hours and replacements are sent same day! Other shopping sites are way way behind Flipkart in this regards.

I have and will be using the Flipkart for further purchases and is one of my most preferred retailer. They come as best in market from search option to giving best available products while in need of something during window-shopping of their different store, very convenient and easy. They come out as best in market for payment options. Their customer service is properly operational in all other circumstances and responds to mails within 24 hours, if waiting 24 hours is too long to susrvive, also available 24×7 on 18002089898, their helpline and by far most humble telecallaers and with no congestion lines. Always up and running, 24×7×365 and always available customer care on phone, guess only store in India to have 24×7 tele-helpline, and for excellent shipping and packaging, delivery notifications and prompt, smiling delivery makes me buy from them time and again.

On a concluding note I would say that after purchasing almost 35+ items, from flip flops to mobile phones to costly LED TV (which sadly doesn’t sell anymore on Flipkart), they always delivered good quality, well packaged products at competitive prices within the prescribed time period without any delay and as a customer as well as a critique I am impressed with their service. Way to Go Flippy!