What first-time shoppers should know about 12.12 live selling

Live selling brings shoppers closer to stores, but also increases likelihood of impulse buys. radar Business explains how to navigate the streams.

Live selling has become a defining force in online shopping. What began as a homegrown trend on Facebook has evolved into a major sales driver, now fully embraced by the country’s biggest e-commerce platforms.

As 12.12 kicks off today, livestreams are expected to dominate feeds as brands and sellers try to capture the surge in real-time shoppers.

Buying from live sellers is a world away from the typical online shopping experience and can take the uninitiated by surprise. radar Business explains how to navigate the live selling world and maximize its unique deals.

Know what, where, and how to buy

As with any online purchase, the first-time live selling customer should already have an idea of the products and stores they want to spend money on.

But the burden of research is heavier with a live format. Knowing what stores will be holding live sales and what kind of products and discounts they offer is important to secure the best deals.

Following favorite stores on e-commerce and social media platforms helps shoppers get easy access and timely updates on live deals.

Prepare for speed

It pays to have everything ready even before adding to cart. Purchasing live is a game of speed, as many discounts and deals only apply during the livestream.

Simplify the process once checkout time comes. Confirm delivery and payment details, learn how to navigate livestreams, and do away with distractions.

What is often the last step of the online checkout process—filling in delivery and payment details—is best completed even before adding items to the cart. This minimizes the risk of errors while typing or selecting options once the urgency to check out sets in.

It also helps to compare interfaces across different apps. Becoming familiar with layouts and features by checking other livestreams before the sale date can make navigation easier. Sellers may ask customers to comment, tap certain buttons, or add to cart during the livestream to secure items.

Turning on Do Not Disturb mode ahead of the livestream can also reduce interruptions. Messages and other distractions may appear during the live and affect the buying process, so contacts can be notified beforehand.

Watch and listen carefully 

Having earphones ready helps ensure that crucial product information and checkout details from the livestream host are heard clearly. Important instructions are often shared during the stream, and missing them can affect the buying experience.

Some sellers may even offer exclusive products and deals for livestream viewers, and some of these deals may only be good for just a couple of minutes.

It wouldn’t hurt to ask questions during the stream or request sellers to demonstrate certain products. Make the most out of the ability to interact with sellers by ensuring that the products are worth every peso.

Budol responsibly

No matter how attractive the deals, live selling is still a way to get customers to spend money. Be clear about purchase goals and budgets to avoid getting carried away.

It is perfectly fine to discover new products during the livestream, outside of what was initially planned. Going into the live selling experience with some extra budget to account for unplanned purchases is a good way to go.

For those easily swayed, sticking to the allocated budget and planned items is essential. Live selling inherently pressures customers to buy immediately and act on impulse. Personal spending limits should be set, and the live feed exited once those limits are reached.

Have a calculator on hand to see if the deals are actually as good as sellers say they are. It can be easy to add to cart without thinking, so it helps to stop even for just a few seconds to compute costs and check how different live bargains are from normal discounts on the shop’s page.

At the end of the day, livestreams offer a new way for customers to engage with sellers, but they also bring the risk of overspending and impulse buying as the experience becomes more personal. With a responsible mindset and clear limits, live selling deals can go a long way—stretching pesos and making shopping more efficient.

 

 

Purchasing live is a game of speed, as many discounts and deals only apply during the livestream.

 

 

READ: