Online, group discount buying in UAE: Buy gadgets at your risk

With online shopping websites booming in the UAE, buying gadgets, or anything for that matter, has never been this easy.

It’s not just the ease of buying electronics without braving the crowd in the malls, but also the massive discounts that are being offered.

Samsung S3, which sells for Dh2,399 at most retail outlets, goes for as cheap as Dh1,839 online. That’s a clear Dh560 cut.

So, what’s there not to resist?

It’s the warranty that’s the catch, claim some techies.

Most electronic goods don’t come with a manufacturer’s warranty. “We don’t offer Samsung warranty, but we do give a one-year website warranty,” informs an official at a hugely popular shopping website.

“We also offer a 3-day buyer’s protection that allows the customer to return the product if they spot a defect within 3 days of when the good is delivered.”

The website warranty, however, does not cover phone battery or charger. “There’s no replacement, only repair.”

And, in rare instances that the phone can’t be repaired, the amount will be refunded as a credit note for the website, she adds.

Most buyers are reluctant to overlook this even though the discounts are substantial.

“Manufacturer warranties are important when you buy gadgets. These smartphones aren’t cheap, so you if they do get damaged then you don’t would rather get them repaired from the authorized dealer,” reasons Prakash Kumar, an avid gadget buff.

The manufacturer warranty is crucial because it’s protection for your phone, he adds.

On the other hand, retail outlets in the UAE offer a 1-year manufacturer warranty, along with options to extend it by another year.

“When you can shell out Dh2,500 on a phone, you can easily add another Dh150 for the extended warranty. That way, you’ve got your phone secured,” explains Neeti, who recently bought a smartphone.

The discounts that are being advertised online may not be as attractive if the buyers are told upfront about this technical snag. “When I bought my Samsung S3 online I wasn’t aware that it didn’t come with the manufacturer warranty. The website only describes it as a 1-year warranty and nothing else. Had I known, I would not have purchased it online,” discloses Arun.

Samsung offers 1-year warranty on its devices and repairs faulty devices from authorized service centres, and in case it can’t be fixed it can be exchanged.

So, the huge savings that’s offered might appear inconsequential when the phone goes in for repair, and the warranty doesn’t safeguard it. “Before deciding to buy an electronic device from anywhere, you should check if the product comes with a legitimate warranty,” adds an expert.