网络购物热潮

Taobao.com, the largest B2C platform in China, saw sales of 19.1 billion yuan on November 11th, the Singles' Day in China. Taobao.com also aims to create another shopping festival on December 12th, whose pronunciation in Mandarin is similar to "I want,I want" in Chinese.

The online shopping site has brandished big discounts - as much as 50 percent off - on numerous items. But many shoppers have taken a rational approach to today's online shopping. According to a survey by Weibo.com, China's equivalent of Twitter, more than half of internet users said they would not rush to online shopping on December 12th.

Most have complained that they were unsatisfied with the November 11th shopping spree because of delayed express deliveries. Some online customers are still waiting for goods they bought on that day.

Express delivery companies face more pressure during shopping festivals. Although they have more employees to work on these special days, their numbers are usually not enough to meet the increased demand for express deliveries.

Qi He is an express delivery company manager.

"The latest delivery peak will come between December 15th to 22nd. I suggest online customers take a rational approach to buying and shop on other days. In that case, the delivery service will be safer and timely."

The shortage of popular goods has also disappointed customers. Mr. Xing bought more than 10 items on Taobao.com on November 11th, but felt he was cheated by some sellers.

"I felt so happy when I snapped up a Nike jacket at half price on November 11th. However, a week later, I still hadn't receives my jacket. When I called the seller, he told me the jackets were in short supply, and I would have to wait for an uncertain number of days."

Xing said he has grown weary of online shopping and won't join in the latest spree.

Other online customers say they regret buying items because of the poor quality of the goods.

To tackle these negative factors during online shopping festivals, Li Chengdong, an e-commerce analyst, says the online market needs more supervision.

"The competition in the online market is more adequate than it is in the offline market, but it still needs a better management system, including a self-regulated system and government supervision."

For Li, this is an urgent task for the future of online shopping.

For CRI, I'm Nathan Schlabach.