I moved to Manila 13 years ago. Meaning, I have been shopping in The SM Store for a decade and three years already. Would you believe that? From buying grocery items to dining in my favorite restaurants, The SM Store occupies a space in my fondest memories of living here in the metro. Even when cash is low, truly visiting any SM malls to window shop and chill (hello chilly aircon) is a treat for a shopaholic who is trying to replenish his/her empty wallet. Believe me, there's more to shopping and dining in SM malls. I cannot recall how many times I always brush shoulders unexpectedly with old friends, former workmates, and classmates I haven't seen since forever while strolling inside.
Now that I am way, way busier than usual - online shopping is the way to go. Just thinking how much hours I spend from commuting to getting it all done, it takes 2-3 hours for me to a trip to the nearest SM mall. I would rather use mine to work and get paid.
It is really very timely because I need a few things but I don't really have time to go any SM store. I am dying to get a refillable bottle because I feel so guilty buying drinks and coffee outside served in either plastic or paper cups. I don't want to contribute to the gigantic waste caused by single-use items. As part of my wellness journey, I also started including tea in my morning routine. If today I will drink coffee, by tomorrow it would be tea. A tea plunger is all I want now since I learned that loose leaves are the more healthy options compared to traditional tea bags.
Since I have been conscious about sustainability and more cooking at home, I want to add more glass jars where I can store my whole rolled oats, cinnamon powder, chia seeds, tableyas, curry powder, cumin seeds, vegan/vegetarian/plant-based food etc. I already bought a bunch but I feel like I need more.
The apartment we are renting for the past 3 years has opened the third room for us. We used to only stay in the two rooms then this one is closed but they decided to have us rent that space. It is the largest of all the rooms and my own room! I feel that I need to make it a bit pretty and "workable" since I work online. I already moved my office table inside and pulled one chair from the dining table. I was thinking I can add two more small chairs that won't cause so much space either when I feel like goofing around or when my sisters are hanging out in my room, they have extra chairs to use.
All these products I mentioned above I found via Hosh Philippines, The SM Store's official shop for dining and kitchen items. I have no other interest in other products offered at the moment on this site other than get these I badly need.
The apartment we are renting for the past 3 years has opened the third room for us. We used to only stay in the two rooms then this one is closed but they decided to have us rent that space. It is the largest of all the rooms and my own room! I feel that I need to make it a bit pretty and "workable" since I work online. I already moved my office table inside and pulled one chair from the dining table. I was thinking I can add two more small chairs that won't cause so much space either when I feel like goofing around or when my sisters are hanging out in my room, they have extra chairs to use.
All these products I mentioned above I found via Hosh Philippines, The SM Store's official shop for dining and kitchen items. I have no other interest in other products offered at the moment on this site other than get these I badly need.
What is it like buying stuff via ShopSM?
Simplicity
This is the first reason why I liked ShopSM's online shopping platform. You don't have to be a whiz - it takes only a click to navigate. From the topmost, categories (Women, Men, Kids, Home, Beauty, Sale, and New) are very visible- it cuts time finding an item. Without categories, I think online shopping will take forever!
Top-down approach
ShopSM's website's layout follows top to bottom. Not left to right or right to left. It makes everything easy to navigate!
Promos and discounts highlighted
Just below the categories, there's a box that show current promos/discounts. It gives more reason to splurge money haha! Let's admit it, that's the one we want to know so yeah, good job ShopSM! For items that are individually sold as discounted, there's an indication for that. It makes super easy to choose according to your preference whether you are on a budget or you don't care about the price!
This is the first reason why I liked ShopSM's online shopping platform. You don't have to be a whiz - it takes only a click to navigate. From the topmost, categories (Women, Men, Kids, Home, Beauty, Sale, and New) are very visible- it cuts time finding an item. Without categories, I think online shopping will take forever!
Top-down approach
ShopSM's website's layout follows top to bottom. Not left to right or right to left. It makes everything easy to navigate!
Promos and discounts highlighted
Just below the categories, there's a box that show current promos/discounts. It gives more reason to splurge money haha! Let's admit it, that's the one we want to know so yeah, good job ShopSM! For items that are individually sold as discounted, there's an indication for that. It makes super easy to choose according to your preference whether you are on a budget or you don't care about the price!
Logging in so easy
If you have a Facebook account or Google mail account, you can use this to register an account via ShopSM. You don't have to think of another username or password for the 9th time. Just choose which one you'd like to use to create an account via ShopSM.
If you have a Facebook account or Google mail account, you can use this to register an account via ShopSM. You don't have to think of another username or password for the 9th time. Just choose which one you'd like to use to create an account via ShopSM.
Flexibility of payment
Whether you want to pay via your credit card, bank account, or cash on delivery, it is up to you. You can even pick up your goods in the nearest SM mall where you'll located!
Fast customer service response via email
I spent few hours sending emails back in forth via email for customer service support of ShopSM. In fairness, they reply very fast. They even send another email reminder to make sure if my concern was taken care of.
Fast customer service response via email
I spent few hours sending emails back in forth via email for customer service support of ShopSM. In fairness, they reply very fast. They even send another email reminder to make sure if my concern was taken care of.
Is there anything worth improving in ShopSM's ordering process?
Solving order problems
Three of my orders were cancelled automatically because according to the message I received via email "due to one or more items on my list is out of stock". Also, it was not specifically mentioned which from my order. What if I want to receive the rest of the order that is available? I only knew which are the ones that are out of stock when I emailed the customer service department of ShopSM.
Lots of out of stock items The 2 big glass jars were out of stock and no ETA date on my first order. I reordered and chose the smaller glass jars on my second order. Same problem. Third time, I chose a cutting board because ours is so old and really want one that's cute since I am planning to have a cutting board only for slicing fruits and veggies. I don't want any dead animal's blood to touch it. Same problem. On my fourth order, I settled for two pieces of stools plus the original items on my list which are the refillable bottle and the tea plunger.
(Un)Timely delivery
My order confirmation email mentioned I am going to receive the item between Jan 8th and 11th. Today is 10th already but I haven't heard from them. I checked my Order History it says "preparing" so meaning they have all in stock and I just have to wait when are they going to deliver these. Hopefully tomorrow because it is the last day that was given in the timeframe of the order.
When January 13th came and no order received, I emailed them and they said they are checking the order. I told them if they are not able to ship these items completely within this week, I ask for cancellation.
FINAL UPDATE: Received a generic email that one or more of my items are out of stock dated Jan. 14th. My fourth order has been cancelled automatically from their end. Again, same concerns from the other 3 orders. They did not specifically told me which ones are out of stock. They did not asked me if I want to keep the other items that are available. Worst, it took them days after the *delivery timeframe* they mentioned via the order confirmation email I received. Every day, I was waiting and waiting because I do really want these products.
I TRIED FOR THE 5TH TIME TO PLACE ANOTHER ORDER FOR THE REFILLABLE BOTTLE BUT PHP 99 ADDITIONAL FEE FOR DELIVERY IS A BIT INSANE FOR ONE ITEM. ALSO DELIVERY TIMEFRAME IS JAN. 16TH-20TH WHICH IS I CANNOT WAIT BECAUSE I AM GOING OUT OF TOWN. THE PLAN IS I WILL USE IT TO BRING WATER WITH ME WHEREVER I GO. I DECIDED TO NOT PUSH THROUGH ANOTHER ORDER AGAIN UNLESS THEY HAVE ALL THESE IN STOCK. HOPE SOON SO I CAN ORDER AGAIN AND ADD MORE.
Limited options
The SM Store is known for having almost everything under the sun in their physical stores. They won't be the biggest chain of shopping malls if not for that reason. I hope ShopSM will be just like that. I understand though they're only starting so they have my full support. They need to keep up with the changing times against Shopee and Lazada. I am dreaming of days that everything can be ordered with one click only via online.
ShopSM is not hard to learn for an average Internet shopper. Like I said, the interface of ShopSM is simple. As long as you know how to click and the actions of what you choose, you're good to go. Looking forward to a much better experience in online shopping with ShopSM soon.
The SM Store Website: https://shopsm.com/
The SM Store Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheSMStore
The SM Store Facebook Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesmstore/
Solving order problems
Three of my orders were cancelled automatically because according to the message I received via email "due to one or more items on my list is out of stock". Also, it was not specifically mentioned which from my order. What if I want to receive the rest of the order that is available? I only knew which are the ones that are out of stock when I emailed the customer service department of ShopSM.
Lots of out of stock items The 2 big glass jars were out of stock and no ETA date on my first order. I reordered and chose the smaller glass jars on my second order. Same problem. Third time, I chose a cutting board because ours is so old and really want one that's cute since I am planning to have a cutting board only for slicing fruits and veggies. I don't want any dead animal's blood to touch it. Same problem. On my fourth order, I settled for two pieces of stools plus the original items on my list which are the refillable bottle and the tea plunger.
(Un)Timely delivery
My order confirmation email mentioned I am going to receive the item between Jan 8th and 11th. Today is 10th already but I haven't heard from them. I checked my Order History it says "preparing" so meaning they have all in stock and I just have to wait when are they going to deliver these. Hopefully tomorrow because it is the last day that was given in the timeframe of the order.
When January 13th came and no order received, I emailed them and they said they are checking the order. I told them if they are not able to ship these items completely within this week, I ask for cancellation.
FINAL UPDATE: Received a generic email that one or more of my items are out of stock dated Jan. 14th. My fourth order has been cancelled automatically from their end. Again, same concerns from the other 3 orders. They did not specifically told me which ones are out of stock. They did not asked me if I want to keep the other items that are available. Worst, it took them days after the *delivery timeframe* they mentioned via the order confirmation email I received. Every day, I was waiting and waiting because I do really want these products.
I TRIED FOR THE 5TH TIME TO PLACE ANOTHER ORDER FOR THE REFILLABLE BOTTLE BUT PHP 99 ADDITIONAL FEE FOR DELIVERY IS A BIT INSANE FOR ONE ITEM. ALSO DELIVERY TIMEFRAME IS JAN. 16TH-20TH WHICH IS I CANNOT WAIT BECAUSE I AM GOING OUT OF TOWN. THE PLAN IS I WILL USE IT TO BRING WATER WITH ME WHEREVER I GO. I DECIDED TO NOT PUSH THROUGH ANOTHER ORDER AGAIN UNLESS THEY HAVE ALL THESE IN STOCK. HOPE SOON SO I CAN ORDER AGAIN AND ADD MORE.
Limited options
The SM Store is known for having almost everything under the sun in their physical stores. They won't be the biggest chain of shopping malls if not for that reason. I hope ShopSM will be just like that. I understand though they're only starting so they have my full support. They need to keep up with the changing times against Shopee and Lazada. I am dreaming of days that everything can be ordered with one click only via online.
ShopSM is not hard to learn for an average Internet shopper. Like I said, the interface of ShopSM is simple. As long as you know how to click and the actions of what you choose, you're good to go. Looking forward to a much better experience in online shopping with ShopSM soon.
The SM Store Website: https://shopsm.com/
The SM Store Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheSMStore
The SM Store Facebook Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesmstore/
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