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Special Supplement on Mountain Bikes

2 June 2012, Issue 51

Mountain Bikes
Special supplement with this issue of Life & Times Centerfold

Birdmobiles new gaming phone

The new mobile gaming phone from Gadget Nepal Pg. 4

To be or not to be

Nepal Telecoms ADSL Internet service treads the thin line between admire and antipathy Pg. 6

Rush through the hills

Nepalese roads provide the most ideal setting for mountain biking Pg. 8 Amazing graphics for your PC Pg. 12

Click to shop
Online businesses and their challenging conventions
By Prabal Shrestha Consumers no longer have the disadvantage they are empowered as information gets more accessible. At the same time businesses have an added dimension to look forthe cyber dimension, and with this mixture of consequences of internet, how we buy things will never be the same.
contd to page 2
Model: Saruna Khatri

NVidia GeForce 210 1GB Gone with the wind

Wind cheater is always a must at any season Pg. 13

My Kathmandu

Dr. Bhola Rizal If the dirty politics is changed then everything is changed Pg. 16

ISSN 2091-1084

9 772091 108002

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coverstory

2 JUNE 2012

contd from page 1...

Click to shop
nternet surrounds us, from the 3G connections on our mobile phones to WiFi access from coee shops to streets in Thamel. Internet is truly pervasive, or at least it is getting there. Such accessibility to information, such connectivity is starting to change the way we buy things, no longer is walking through crowded market streets of Kathmandu a compulsion to buy a pair of decent trousers. We can buy watches from the US without having to get a visa; we can look for bestsellers without having to tolerate the trac; we can even buy Aangan ko ladoos online. Having the comfort of your chair while shopping is not the only advantage while shopping online; online stores oer varieties or at least are capable of it, which is hard to match by any bricks and mortar retail outlet. Online market is without boundary; making shops around the world accessible from your study table. The goods bought can be delivered anywhere, making it convenient to send gifts for loved ones. Prices, the most important consideration for most people is generally lesser on online shops, as labor costs, electricity costs and other overheads are signicantly lesser for running shops online. Online shops provide easy price comparison; you can nd the best buy without having to go shop after shop under the sun. And for softhearted people, online shopping enables you not to buy after a long browsing without having to feel bad for the shop assistant. Online shops are available 24/7 (when there is electricity), you can go and look for a massage chair at midnight without having to

get tired. You can shop wherever there is internet access and whenever you have time. Despite these tempting features, online shopping has not yet reached its potential in our society. Besides the fact that internet coverage in our country is still limited, and the widespread electricity network is still not one that is dependable, there are other issues that limit online shopping. Akshay Sthapit, the cofounder of Harilo.com says, Online market is still in its infancy and trust is the major obstacle faced by online businesses. Not having physical presence does not serve online businesses well. Furthermore, people are wary of giving their personal details online, risking hackers and even doubting the authenticity of the service provider. For payment module and security, some innovative solutions have been made to facilitate a secured payment system. eSewa and Paybill are two examples of service providers facilitating secured payment platforms for online shopping. eSewa provides a secured link for payments without having to disclose account details and credit card numbers to merchants. Paybill provides payment through SMS from mobiles without having to give out your banking details. Websites like Harilo.com and SastoDeal.com directly connect customers to their banks website for their peace of mind. Some online shops, such as Urban Store KTM incorporate cash payment on delivery protecting parties on both ends. Another issue inhibiting e-commerce in our society is culture, according to Amun Thapa, founder of SastoDeal,

People still think shopping is where people enter a shop, look around, touch, smell, bargain and buy. Internet is still not considered as a means to make purchases; for the larger segment of internet users, internet just means emails, social networking, downloads and maybe a bit of research for assignments. In comparison to shopping from a brick and mortar retail outlet, online shopping falls behind when it comes to delivery and actually getting to feel products before purchase. It can also be costly for consumers to access after sale services such as warranty, return and exchange, having to bear shipping costs in most cases. And for at least half of the population for whom shopping can be a pleasant experience, its a challenge

for online shops to lure such customers. To overcome these inbuilt limitations of online businesses, innovation and ideas of online entrepreneurs kicks in. Website like Harilo.com gives Nepalese people access to international market. Without such a website, buying from amazon.com would not be possible from Nepal, as most foreign outlets do not ship to Nepal and even if they did cost would be too high. SastoDeal. com is another innovative website providing best discount deals for customers and at the same time providing a marketing portal for new businesses. Muncha.com, synonymous to online shop in Nepal is another innovative venture enabling Nepalese beyond the border to send gifts back home.

Even big retail businesses are starting to realize the importance of online presence, as one of the biggest if not the biggest retail outlets, Bhatbhateni superstore goes online, selling groceries to washing machines online. Very few would disagree with the statement Online business is going to change how we do business. In US, ecommerce sales totaled $165.4 billion in 2010, 4.2% of the total retail spending. The gure maybe irrelevant in Nepals context but technology is relevant. Number of internet users in Nepal is ever growing, reaching 2 million already, internet is truly becoming insidious and with it information is getting accessible, time is becoming constrained and life is getting faster. Online business is the way of the future and the future is here.

Websites

Urbanstore Ktm http://www.facebook.com/ URBAN.STORE.KTM

Provides womens apparel and accessories from US and Australia through a Facebook link. Casual and party dresses, ats, sandals, jewelry, shades and make up Email item number or product name to urbanstore.ktm@gmail.com Or place your order by phone at 9801050948, 9841316624 Pay cash on delivery

SastoDeal.com

Harilo.com

Muncha.com

Business Overview:

Provides special discount deals on products featured Everything from re extinguishers to restaurant dinner, exercising machines and many more. Online- NIBL, Laxmi Bank, E-Sewa and Paypal. Cash- Customer needs to provide his/her name, email address and phone number on site and will receive a 6 digits code. The customer can then make payment directly to the merchant with discount by providing the 6 digits code. N/A

Provides a platform to purchase goods online from abroad without having to incur huge shipping costs. Everything oered by any English language website Payment must be cleared within a week after receiving quote. Online via customers bank or services like E-Sewa, Paypal and Paybill.

Started o as online gift shop, today functions as an online mall Arts, gifts, electronics, toys, books, garden, cosmetic, jewelry, furniture and appliances, to name a few Credit card, online banking through Laxmi, Kumari and NIBL, Paybill, E- Sewa online payment services and cash payment on delivery

Products featured:

Order placement and Payment method:

Time to delivery:

Around 2 hours after order placement, depending on the location Transaction cancelled if customers are not satised on delivery

Depends on the website being ordered from, minimum 2 weeks. Does bulk shipping once a week from warehouse in Florida. Membership services with extra perks. Fixed price quote at the time of purchase, irrespective of exchange rate uctuation.

A day to few days within Kathmandu, within few days across Nepal.

Other Services

A platform for emerging and established businesses to showcase their products and services.

Money transfers, buy and sell goods at Bazar and music download at New Music.