Online Shopping

With the rise of the e-commerce, a surging number of people intent to shop online. Though flourished because of dozens of its advantages, online shopping has also been condemned for its undesirable disadvantages.

Unlike shopping in physical stores, online shopping, to a large extent, has transcended time and space. Consumers have accesses to online stores at any time they like since there is no limit of time. Moreover, the Internet has shortened the distance between manufacturers and consumers; accordingly, it’s possible to get something that might be hardly to purchase at local stores. Furthermore, prices of online goods are relatively transparent thus you can choose the affordable one to buy.

On the other hand, however, the potential dangers of online shopping should never be overlooked. As the Internet is virtual and the only way for consumers to know the online products is by looking through pictures displayed by the shop managers, and under such conditions, it is highly probable that consumers will receive false or unreliable information and therefore they are likely to be deceived during the consumption process. What’s more, in order to attract more customers and obtain greater benefits, merchants will conduct low-price competition among themselves. Admittedly, this kind of competition will bring benefits to consumers and they will be able to obtain more discounts. However, in order to seek low prices and ensure profits, some businesses tend to reduce the quality of goods to reduce costs, which is not only far from conducive to creating a good competitive environment, but also will harm the interests of consumers.

In general, online shopping is a double-edged sword; how to give full play to its advantages and avoid drawbacks? In my opinion, as consumers, we should raise our awareness as consumers, and not be deceived by blind pursuit of low prices. Online shop operators should conduct business in good faith, avoid falling into vicious competition, and at the same time protect the quality of goods and provide consumers with good services. Platform managers and relevant government departments should strengthen the management of online shopping environment, resist vicious competition, provide a better business platform, and protect the interests of consumers. In short, all parties should work together to promote the prosperity of online shopping so as to benefit more people.

本文围绕网络购物进行讨论。开篇指出网络购物有利有弊，后面详细分析了利弊并给出了自己的建议。第二段中作者主要分析了网络购物的优点，譬如可以跨域时间和空间，其价格也比较透明。第三段指出网络购物的缺点，譬如无法知道商品的质量，卖家间的恶意竞争等等。最后一段给出总结，网络购物是把双刃剑，作为消费者应该提高自己的意识，不去盲目追求低价。作为商家应该做到诚信经营。政府及有关部门应加强监管避免恶意竞争。