-expects diaspora to log on
Giftland OfficeMax on Monday launched a website to accommodate online shopping in Guyana at a ceremony at the Savannah Suite, Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel.
The website intends to promote Guyanese products internationally and serve the needs of persons in the Guyanese Diaspora, especially those within the Caribbean Community.
It will allow overseas-based Guyanese to order products and have them delivered directly to their families, a less expensive alternative to posting money and barrels, the company said.
Company owner Royston Beepat said two years ago Giftland’s executives introduced the idea of an online shopping centre and the plans progressed.
The launching was described as “history in the making” as it means that Guyana has taken another step towards electronic commerce (e-commerce). Giftland OfficeMax has now made it possible for Guyanese to shop anywhere, anytime for almost anything. In keeping with the spirit of the Caribbean Festival of Arts, a skit performed by local actors was staged to display the benefits of such a service.
Customized services,
delivery and payment
options
According to Beepat the retail prices in Guyana are lower but online shopping is easier and it will allow overseas-based Guyanese to send their loved ones “something special” or even a gift certificate.
The proprietor explained too that customized services will be available especially at Christmas and other holidays. Custom-ordered gift hampers and cards are among the services available.
Meanwhile, Giftland Chief Executive Officer Ian Ramdeo said online orders can be delivered within hours of the order. The maximum time for delivery, he said, is three days and a series of payment options are available. International payments can be made via credit card (Visa or Master Card) cheque or money order. Other payment options available locally include cash on delivery and payment in store. Ramdeo warned that based on the payment option used delivery may depend on the approving bank’s efficiency in making payments.
Along with Giftland’s existing delivery service, local taxis and private delivery services will be used. Regionally delivery will be powered by LIAT Quick Pak. Ramdeo said that LIAT has offered the company a customized package and as a result of this agreement lower rates will be available to the customer. Additional information on shipping, surcharges and other fees may be accessed on the new website located at www.giftlandofficemax.com
Giftland’s attorney Sanjeev Datadin pointed out that initially the bank could not allow credit card payments to be made in Guyana since the country did not have a credit rating. The rating, he said, determines how the country’s commerce is treated by that bank. That was one of the major challenges which the company faced in creating its virtual store.
Security and privacy
policies
Ramdeo also said that the company is cognizant of consumers’ security concerns especially where their credit card numbers are concerned. However, he said the website has in place the best security measures which are utilized by popular online shopping sites like EBay and Amazon. The website utilizes Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) which is a security programme that is run by Internet Explorer. Information is protected by SSL with an encryption key length of 128 bits and it is the highest level commercially available.
“Data [credit card numbers] is sent straight to First Atlantic Commerce…it is never in our database,” Ramdeo said, adding that the company’s server is behind a series of industry-tested firewalls. Further information on security and privacy policies is available on the company’s website.
