For a start – a bit of statistics and official information on e-commerce in Russia and the world.

Every fifth inhabitant of the planet makes a purchase via the Internet at least occasionally!

Make purchases over the Internet today prefer more than one billion people, roughly one fifth to sixth inhabitants of the planet (and almost a third of these buyers live in Europe).

The popularity of Internet shopping has been rapidly growing over the past six years. Even if you need to buy clothes or, for example, tools for garden plot – that is not the most popular among Internet sales of things – still, many Europeans prefer at least a first search on the Internet something suitable before you go shopping in shop. The first goods purchased via the Internet, became a CD purchased in the U.S. in August 1994, and by 2010 the volume of global Internet sales experts predict will reach almost $ 80 billion

According to the International Corporation Nielsen, which conducted a global study on the purchasing behavior of consumers online, the Russians are far behind citizens of other countries in online shopping.

In 2006, online purchases made 10% of the world’s population (627 million people, ie one in ten) in 2007 – 14% (875 million). Particularly fond of them in South Korea: they buy through a network of committing 99% of Internet users (survey was conducted in October – November 2007). Following are the UK, Germany and Japan (97%).

According to opinion polls, the services of virtual stores at least once in your life have used 77% of Internet users in our country. But only 32% of Russians who have experience in online shopping, said that made purchases on the Internet last month (that is, only a third of those once in my life was shopping on the web, do it fairly regularly). Poll leaders here were the inhabitants of South Korea. Over the last month 79% of them buy products at online stores. In the UK the figure was 76%, and in Switzerland – 67%.

In total, about 85% of Internet users around the world are engaged in online shopping. Low figure is explained by the small spread of Russian Internet: according to the Ministry of Communications, in 2007, its level was only 25%, and for many the Internet is still more exotic than a “best friend”.

The most popular online shopping for people in Russia are books (42%), electrical (33%), video, DVD, games (29%), music (23%) and software (23%). These figures are generally different from the world. In general, the world’s leaders in online sales over the past three months were books (41%), clothing, accessories, footwear (36%), video, DVD, games (24%), cheap (24%) and electronic equipment (23 %). Differences, as we see it – are essential.

The study also showed that Russians are reluctant to buy online clothing, accessories and footwear. These products are resolved to acquire only 19% of the population (Russians are accustomed to trying on clothes and shoes). In other states, these figures are much higher. For example, in Germany for the past three months, clothing, accessories and footwear purchased on the Web 42% of respondents in the UK – 38% in the U.S. – 41%. Leadership position here again ranked South Korea: 70% of its residents make purchases of these commodities. In connection with the fact that sales of clothing, into a coherent series of shops I want to select a segment of so-called “catalog” distance trade in goods (including via the Internet), submitted by companies such as www.otto.com.ru, www . bonprix.ru and others. In their choice of goods produced in the catalog (in paper form or electronically – on the site). Order – by mail, by phone, in person, at the centers of orders; via SMS or through a basket of orders on the site. Delivery – usually by mail (in this case, he paid cash on delivery), at least – by courier (where payment for the purchase can be made on the spot, in cash). In Europe and the USA such sales (in directories) are more than one decade, so with the advent of Internet buyers was very easy to readjust and move to the same directories on the net.

Among other things, the Russians also lag behind the international community to purchase tickets via the Internet. Only 20% of Russian respondents bought or booked them online. Set aside for hotels or buy turputevku web, only 13% of respondents. Even rarer in RuNet buy products (8% vs. 14% on average in the world). Experts attribute this to the fact that our country has not yet been developed to use credit or debit cards. Russians still prefer cash. This is confirmed by the study: 59% of online purchases in Russia is paid in cash: payment systems are poorly developed, in addition, many fear the crooks and do not want to enter their card. Worldwide, the most popular way to pay online purchases – credit card (60%).

Other features of the Russian Internet commerce – the absence of advance ordering, and inadequate postal delivery.

Some more statistics for comparison: the turnover of Russian Internet stores for the year 2006 National Association of e-commerce was estimated at $ 1.5 billion by the end of 2007 this figure should reach $ 1,6-1,7 billion (the exact data I have not found ), these figures are forecasted in August 2007, an online store Ozon.ru, one of the largest in Russia (turnover for the first half of 2007 – $ 24.5 million).

More than $ 35 billion spent last year residents of China’s Internet growth compared to previous rate was 50%. This is stated in the report of the Chinese Internet Association. These data include the cost of providing services to connect to the net, shopping in online stores, online games. On average, each user in China spends about $ 20 a month. The total number benefiting from the World Wide Web in the country last year amounted to 136 million people.

In 2007, Britons spent on purchases with a global network a record amount – 53 billion pounds, a 75% higher than in 2006. Only in the last quarter of 2007, when people buy Christmas gifts and bought tickets for Christmas travel, the Internet has been spent 17.5 billion pounds. Thus, currently the share of online purchases in general consumer spending equals 17% of Britons, but by 2018 they will account for about half of all purchases.

Online stores are becoming more popular in Europe. The European Commission expects that in the whole EU in the next five years, the volume of trade through the Internet will double, told the chief executive EU President Jose Manuel Barroso. “We expect that in the next five years the volume of e-commerce will be doubled and will reach € 263 billion,” – he said.

But, despite such a significant backlog of Russia in sales via the Web, the growth of these sales goes to our country at a rate substantially exceeding the growth rates of these countries-leaders in this kind of trade. So the prospects for this segment of trade is very, very bright. As for consumers (will increase the number of players – “will be exacerbated by competition between us -” to grow the level of service and reduced margins) and to merchants (gradually more and more buyers will realize the benefits of online shopping, and more and more purchases will be carried out by them on the spot, literally walking away from the computer screen).

Now let’s talk about money and about how to buy online.

Money – the greatest of human inventions for the operations of exchange of goods and services. How would we not one of them, but without them life is very difficult (in all senses), not to say – it is impossible.

Money can be in local currency (which is that other than in your country, nowhere else is needed), or currency, which you will welcome in most countries (dollars, euros) and exchanged for their national money, or just sell it for you need the products / services.

Also divided the money into cash (so-called “cache”) and non-cash (“virtual”, visible as the number of arrival / consumption in a bank account, electronic, found in certain electronic purse system existing in the form of checks, bills, bonds, etc.) .

With cash all face constantly, and almost all of them know. With this more or less simple. In addition, cash is accepted as a means of payment is almost always and everywhere, through cash payments can be significant savings (for example, many independent retailers – especially outside Russia, give a good discount when they know that you’re going to pay for merchandise “cache” rd instead of a credit card).

Also, cash can be used for purchases in most shops in Russia (where most of the prices by 20-50% lower than in traditional trade stores), when payment for the goods shall courier delivery. The only problem is that the courier service are usually only available for large cities (Moscow, St. Petersburg), where there are warehouses of most shops.

In countries where the postal service works well and smoothly, and online shopping has become a matter of habit, almost all sales using the Internet are performed through a cashless payment and mail delivery (couriers only carry about food – sandwiches, pizzas – and within a single city or District). It does not matter where the seller and buyer – in the same town or across continents and hemispheres.

Payment is made in these countries, usually once in the time of booking. Or directly with a credit card that is not always safe, or using the system www.paypal.com/, has proven its reliability, or through other payment systems (the same WebMoney – http://www.webmoney.ru/rus/index. shtml or other systems, of which there are plenty).

I’ve already talked about the classic “catalog” traders who came from real life in the “Virtual”. But besides them, there are many shops, do not release their catalogs, and work exclusively on the Internet.

Such stores (who and what sells, how they make purchases, feedback on work, etc., etc.) have been repeatedly described and discussed in this and similar communities, so I will not be repeated.

With all the variety of Internet commerce, stand out Internet auctions, and the most famous of them – ebay.com, which is bought and sold, maybe it ALL! And let no one confuses the word “auction” – in most cases the sellers are companies that sell not a single lot, a whole lot. And if your stated bid price above the minimum possible, you can assume that the purchase you’ve made.

In 1995 eBay business rapidly grew and changed. First of all, has considerably changed the target audience of the company. Times, when it consisted of curiosities collectors and dealers are in the past, and now sell on eBay (at least, occasionally), millions of people, but you can buy and sell almost everything (although there are some limitations as conventional legal, for example, drugs, and developed by the company itself).

eBay is not just used to it already existed types of goods and services have recently emerged companies that produce products specifically for sale through eBay. Many small businesses use eBay as a primary medium for their business. In general, there are now about 45 thousand small businesses and individual entrepreneurs, who receive all their income from transactions on eBay. Multiplying this figure by the average number of staff and family members, we can conclude that eBay is now “feeding” at least 120 thousand people.

Not to write here a very long time on how to register on this site to start selling and buying (despite the fact that he – not Russified, many of our countrymen have long and successfully engaged in this type of purchases / sales), just below I will give some links, where have all the useful information.

To make purchases at the auction need to open an account. To learn how to do this in detail and, in my view, clearly written here: http://torgexpert.com/register_pr.htm (this is not advertising, just I myself use this statement and I did not raise any problems) .

Answers to basic questions can be found here: http://www.ebay.com/ or here: http://www.vxzone.com/ or somewhere else (such sites are many, ask your question in the search engines and find answers).

Buying and selling (not just on eBay, but in general – on the Internet), it is best to use the system PayPal (www.paypal.com/). In addition to reliability and safety (at the vendor’s website you will not need to enter their bank card numbers), this system provides for the refund in the event of fraud by the seller. Payments are made with one email address to another. Ie the buyer need to know just e-mail the seller to go under his name in this system and make the payment.

Registration Scheme in the PayPal system is fairly simple, and if your side is a man who has at least a minimal knowledge of English (or at hand a dictionary / electronic translator), then you have problems will not arise. All data in the registration Visa. Account in the system is linked to your unique e-mail address (if other than PayPal, you want to register on eBay, it is better to indicate in both cases the same e-mail. Address, it will simplify many of the procedures). By this account (account) will need to bind the bank card (which you will need to make payments, as well as the withdrawal of the money (for example, through this system is also convenient to make transfers relatives who are in any country in the world)). If you have a card Savings VISA International, like me, then binding will need to enter the card number (found on the front side), the expiration date (as indicated on the map) and Card Verification Number (verification code) – it appears to back of the card – last three digits on the bright band, which also is your signature.

Next you need to remember the code word which you entered at registration cards in the Savings Bank, call customer service cards, and waiting for a connection to an operator, ask for another code (4 digits, which According to the Bank for PayPal cancel symbolic 1,95 USD, which he soon will return to your account). Yes, this code will call you only after you correctly call a code word which I spoke.

All these difficulties with the code word and calling the Savings Bank will arise only if you are not a user of the mobile bank. If connected, then these figures will be in SMS, informing you of the cancellation of 1,95 USD from your account.

4 digits of the code must be entered in the appropriate box on the website (where everything is painted in detail and pointed out what and where to pay). This – the final stage of account activation and bind to it for your card.

In addition to the convenient system of PayPal for payments in the web you can use such electronic systems.

Money lying in your purse of these systems, you can:

- Pay for any purchase as if you paid them the usual plastic cards (including buying regular books in almost all online retailers;

- Pay for mobile phone, cable TV, Internet access;

- Perform utility payments;

- Dim payable on the loan;

- Pay for “Intercity” by commercial operators;

- Make transfers to any other holder of the electronic purse of the same, or some other system, knowing only his number, paying thus his services, paying him for some goods, or simply – by giving him money for charitable purposes.

By the way, in addition to payment systems, there is another opportunity to pay – through SMS. It is used for example in the same site www.litres.ru, of which I spoke a little higher, as well as many other sites selling music and movies, personal horoscopes, articles, etc., etc. This method is very convenient (almost everyone now have a cell phone and send SMS snap). Perhaps the only, but a very substantial negative of such payments – High Commission of mobile operators, reaching at times up to 60% of the amount transferred.

But, back to the same purse and electronic systems.

Create your purse in any payment system is not long, and absolutely free.

2. Many fashion aficionados are willing to pay large sums of money for goods, the cost is low, if it is a prestigious brand label. It is believed that such an acquisition may become a sort of a pass in the world of people with higher social status (so-called elected).

3. As a rule, world stars who have reached a certain level of wealth, to part with money without hesitation and without regret. So, once Hollywood actress Laura Herring came to the awarding of the Oscar finished platinum, diamonds and shoes, the cost of which amounted to 750 thousand dollars.

4. Noted that even reasonable people in the payday easy to part with the money and make a lot of irrational purchases, which later regret.
5. Estimated to marketers, the number of people belonging to the category shopingovyh maniacs in Russia over the past 10 years has increased in 2,5 times.

6. Meeting the needs of one, usually leads to another, and so it continues throughout life. The ancient aphorism reads: “Moderate your needs and become the owner of the world!”

7. According to psychologists, to choose their place of purchase and acquisition of services are strongly affected by the following factors: the proximity of the store or service company, they offer variety of goods and services, prices and atmosphere. Our studies confirm this.

8. Psychologists believe – the higher the education level buyer, the more important factor for his personal time for shopping and the quality of purchased goods.

9. Often, the goods were bought because of the desire to imitate the idols and follow fashion. Thus the worship, and fashion is a means of stimulating people to action, thereby increasing the sales of certain goods.

Moscow rooms & hotels can be found here.

Such differences in behavior between men and women psychologists explain the primitive instincts. Men, being by nature hunters, behave in the store: they know exactly what they need, find it, buy and leave the trading floor. In this case, blood pressure, an indicator of excitation reaches its peak earlier in men than in women, rising above, but when making a purchase quickly returned to normal.

Women behave in the store like a primitive gatherers: they slowly walk the halls of the trade without having a clear idea of what they need, and looking across a wide range of products, objects and furnishings that are most like.

In this case, blood pressure, they increased slowly and the level of excitement, reaching a peak, remains high for another 15-20 minutes after the purchase. This suggests that women get pleasure from the process.

Another significant difference in the behavior of representatives of strong and weak floors while shopping is the fact that women are able to more accurately assess the goods and intuitively choose the one whose quality is better. As a result they make more profitable buying than men.

Observations of the types of consumer psychology

On the division of consumers into groups, similar in characteristics we described on page types of consumers. Here are some interesting facts, observations, identified in the research of psychologists:

• Materialists are spending money wisely. Knowing how they get, the representatives of the group and spend money with the expectation of the future.
• Activists and adventurers prefer to buy new products. These people are the first to acquire new items and give tips on their purchase of another.
• If resources permit, activists and adventurers have become a staple in fashionable salons and trendsetters in their close circles.
• Talking about preferences in clothing, it should be noted that rigorist and materialists are committed to the classical style, with the latter choose expensive, high-quality stuff.

Adventurers and egotist love bright clothing that attracts attention, and activists prefer fashionable novelties.

Often not simply buying goods are understood under shopping, but the entire complex, including also the incidental entertainment (restaurants, cafes, cinemas, etc.). In modern industrial society, only a third of all manufactured products are designed to meet the so-called “Real” vital human needs, and the remainder mainly refers to the “optional” group (fancy new models of mobile phones, color “tabloid” magazines, “super vegetable cutters”, “fat burners” etc.)

As was the case with alcohol, drugs, gambling, eating, extreme hobbies shopping can cause addiction, which is called shopping mania, or shopingolizm.

Shopping mania often has a devastating effect on the human psyche. The mechanism of action in this case is similar to that triggered a casino gamblers or drug addicts: buying a new fashionable thing, the person receives with what incomparable pleasure.

Later the victim of shopping mania appears irresistible desire to again and again to experience this feeling. As a result of shopping mania, sought every opportunity to commit the next purchase: the growing excitement causes an increase in the level of adrenaline, which reaches a peak when a treasured thing in the hands of lucky. At this point, a splash of happiness is caused by hormones – endorphins.

Soon hormone levels reach normal mark, and gained a thing ceases to please a man. Weight is happening is perceived in dark colors, people may even get depressed, out of which only helps the new shopping and committing multiple purchases. However, on each subsequent visit to a trendy boutique or large supermarket less and less fun, growing sense of dissatisfaction, which in turn provokes the development of depression. Shopping mania is quite dangerous.

German psychologist Hans Dietrich in this regard, noted: “The reckless spending is made with passion. Just as in love, strong emotions erupt in an instant, but fade even faster. “

First Assistant – this is cash money. In general, credit cards have become so popular lately, are a detriment to the family budget and prudent spending. And it’s because they are perceived by us as an additional source of income, and not as an obligation to pay interest on a monthly basis, and debts to the bank. In general, going to the store, you should expect only a certain amount. If you can not do without a credit card, then its use should have its own strategy. For instance, accurately calculate how much you plan and prepare to spend the cash amount each month to refer to the bank. Only in this case, you can earn a good credit history and not be in debt.
The next item is a shopping list. It may seem that it is a commonplace, known to all. However, not all resort to this trick. As a result, want to buy something, and it is… Here is a list of just and able to save from unreasonable and unnecessary spending, set limits. Well as compile a list as the end product (or the right things) and go shopping once a week.
Discount coupons that print in local periodicals, may also be a good help. Just something you need that to cut out the coupon and go for a desired product. Discount assured! And this is not to humiliate your dignity (as many believe). You will understand how convenient way to save.
The calculator can be an excellent way to avoid spontaneous purchases. Imagine: you have in your purse a certain amount and you know what to buy. Counting on a calculator, what it would cost a purchase, you would not put in the basket too much.
You should not go to the store with an empty stomach. Because of hunger you risk score of different goodies that you would like to try right now. But without which one could easily cost in principle. So carry your candy in a bag, or chewing gum or a bottle of water – just in case you have to go for food without eating at first.
Picture of children (if you have them) are also able to prevent spontaneous purchases. How? It is very simple: you will see lovely muzzles on a photo in your wallet and think about what future is waiting for the kids, if you begin to indiscriminately spend savings and buy all that pleased. It certainly will stop even the most inveterate shopaholic. But what if you do not have kids? Carry your wallet in the same picture of what the dream of most in life. Whether it’s a trip to the Bahamas (then – the photo of these islands), or their own apartment (you can attach a picture from a magazine), or a new car (no comment). Everybody has a dream, and, hence, different motivation for savings. So, all is in your hands – and the desire and the means for its implementation.
In general, the main thing, of course, is self-control and responsibility not only to themselves but also to their families. And I think that with time, prudent and conscious buyers will become more and more, and not only because of the crisis, but simply out of conviction.

How could organize a trip for shopping, so that this inevitable event brings only positive emotions, acquired purchase brought joy and family budget did not suffer?

Studies in psychology have shown that with proper regard to shopping, purchase and acquisition activate special centers of the brain, raising the spirits and improving health. The secret here in a special mental attitude with which to go shopping: Satisfaction of a person gains less from any experience, but from the anticipation thereof.

Following a few simple rules, you can avoid stressful situations and be assured that shopping will bring positive emotions.

First, plan the upcoming shopping event, determine the approximate list of necessary and sufficient acquisitions. And leave one or 2 points in the list for a certain amount to “just in case.” This will allow the pretty accurately regulate the buying coming, do not overspend, and at the same time, recognize a certain freedom of action.

Secondly, approaching the cash register and paying for the purchased item, take your regular checks. You can count the number of embezzlement for a month and decide about the amount that will be needed to regular shopping during the month. By counting the checks that amount, treat it the disappearance of the monthly, as a natural and, unfortunately, an inevitable event. For example, just as you perceive utilities. This will eliminate the negative feelings when something must be constantly separates from the heart.

Third, buy only what is planned. However, if in the course of the shopping, you will surely want to buy anything like it, and feel that by denying himself in buying, you’ll be upset, you just have to buy in the future. The fact is that the sudden desire to buy your favorite thing has a certain point of novelty, which is associated with feelings of pleasure. And the buyer is in a trap: if you refuse to buy, comes an unpleasant feeling of disappointment, and at the same time, if tempted to buy is not very necessary, but still an expensive thing, do not avoid the unfortunate rash of embezzlement. The solution is simple: go to like your order a few days later, when the moment of novelty has been exhausted, and you’ll think twice.

Fourth, do not bring into the store very large amounts, especially when she goes to the supermarket. And in general, often visit the store, leaving the purse at home. This will allow enjoying shopping without the risk of waste, and teach them to train the will.

Wish you successful purchases and enjoy shopping!