Online retailers brace themselves for ‘Mega Monday’
Monday 7th December 2009, 2:59PM GMT.
Play.com is gearing up for a spending frenzy
JERSEY online retailer Play.com was expecting record-breaking sales today as thousands of customers scour the internet in the annual ‘Mega Monday’ bargain hunt.
Industry experts were predicting that online shoppers would spend at least £350 million today on British websites at a rate of about £4,000 per
second.
It is believed that the amount spent during the so-called Mega Monday – the first Monday after the traditional November payday – could be at least ten per cent higher than the same day last year.
It is also predicted that more than £5 billion will be spent online in the run-up to Christmas.
Play.com, which distributes cds, dvds and computers games from its base in Jersey, said in a statement that it was gearing up to be at the centre of the cyberspace spending frenzy today as shoppers search for VAT-free bargains.
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this should come as no surprise to local retailers, who already know to their cost what high prices do to the market.
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Love internet shopping!! so much cheaper than buying local and more choice. Still don,t understand why town is so busy in the shops. Won,t let any retailer rob my money anymore.
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has anyone worked out what happens in relation to VAT if the purchaser is from Jersey? it would appear that sales to the UK of items over £18 such as lap tops do not attract an extra charge to cover 15% VAT even though they are from Jersey.
However there is no way I can see of getting the VAT knocked off of you are a Jersey purchaser and I would assume the extra is not paid to HMRC as there is no need.
Are we in Jersey being over charged by one of our own companies to the tune of 15%. I cant find an email address to ask play.com either
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Yesterday I decided to Think Twice and Buy Local rather than shopping on the internet.
What a mistake.
Having waited in a queue for 10 minutes in a certain King Street retailier in order to purchase season 2 of the Sarah Connor Chronicles on blu-ray, I then parted with a total of £46.67 for the privlege of obtaining this item locally
How surprised I was to discover that the exact same item is available on Amazon for a mere £35.42 delivered straight through my letter box by the friendly Mr Postman.
Still, I can sleep soundly in the knowledge that the extra £11.25 – or 32% extra – has gone towards keeping the islands’ economy in the black!
It actually amazes me that anybody bothers to shop in St Helier anymore – I certainly won’t be making this mistake again and the majority of my christmas presents will be obtained online.
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exactly
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I did what I did last year. Priced everything up in St Helier, then bought it all online.
So far, online shoppoing has been 40% cheaper.
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Tobias..think twice buy local..think smart buy online lol.
Recently looking for some items i noticed one shop had what i was after for £99.99, i picked it up for £46.99 delivered off amazon and 24 hours later there it was. another item in a shop was £159.95 again i picked it up off amazon for £54.99 delivered and again 24 hours later there it was on my mat, last item almost £400 in the shop and amazon to the rescue at £234.36 delivered albeit it took 48 hours to come down. another item i wanted i was told in one technology shop a product like that didnt exist even though i was looking for a replacement for a broken on. another shop told me I needed a £700 laptop when my needs were internet browsing and word…hmmmmmm
Its not just the prices that are attractive online its the product reviews by previous customers are better than the so called knowledgeable sales assistants (some are very knowledgeable btw) but most assistants will tell you what you want to hear get the sale but these reviews tell you the truth and I have avoided many dud things based on bad reviews on the shops own website.
I am amazed seeing people shopping in town they must not know about the internet
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