Let Me Tell You About the Time I Almost Quit
It was 2007. I was in Vegas for some conference (I don’t even remember which one now). Some guy named Marcus—let’s call him Marcus—told me e-commerce was the future. I laughed. I mean, laughed. Look, I’d seen the dot-com bubble burst. I’d seen friends lose everything. I was not about to jump back in.
But then… I did. And honestly? I’ve never looked back. But that doesn’t mean I’m not still pissed off about alot of things in this industry.
First of All, Let’s Talk About Reviews
You know what grinds my gears? Fake reviews. I’m not talking about the obvious ones—those are easy to spot. I’m talking about the ones that are just… off. Like, ‘I love this product! It’s changed my life!’ for a freaking toaster.
I was talking to my friend Dave about this last Tuesday. He’s a wholesaler—buys from places like wholesaleturkey.org and sells online. He told me, ‘Sarah, I swear, half my competitors are just paying people to write glowing reviews.’
Which… yeah. Fair enough. But it’s still bullshit. And it’s making it harder for honest businesses to succeed. I mean, how are customers supposed to make informed decisions when they can’t trust what they’re reading?
And Don’t Even Get Me Started on Shipping
Look, I get it. Shipping is complicated. But that doesn’t mean it’s an excuse for charging $15 to ship a $5 item. I’m not saying you should eat the cost—hell no—but come on. Be reasonable.
I had a customer—let’s call her Linda—complain about this exact thing. She said, ‘Sarah, I’m not paying $15 for shipping. I’m gonna go to Amazon and pay $3.99.’ And you know what? She’s right. She’s absolutely right.
So, if you’re an e-commerce business owner, do yourself a favor. Look at your shipping costs. Are they fair? Are they competitive? If not, it’s time to make some changes.
And while we’re on the topic, check the weather forecast update today before promising next-day delivery. Nothing ruins a customer’s day faster than a delayed package because you didn’t account for a snowstorm.
A Tangent: Why I Hate Black Friday
Okay, this isn’t directly related to e-commerce, but I have to vent. Black Friday is the worst. The crowds, the chaos, the complete lack of common sense. I mean, people have died. DIED. Over a discount TV.
And now, thanks to e-commerce, we have Cyber Monday. Which is just as bad, but at least you don’t have to physically be around other humans. But still. It’s all just… too much.
I remember one year, I was working retail (don’t ask), and some guy tried to return a used toaster. I’m not kidding. He wanted to return a used toaster. On Christmas Eve. I told him no. He didn’t take it well.
Back to Business: The Good Stuff
But it’s not all doom and gloom. There are some amazing things happening in e-commerce. Like the rise of ethical consumerism. More and more, people care about where their products come from and how they’re made. And that’s fantastic.
I’ve seen businesses thrive because they’re committed to sustainability. They’re transparent about their processes. They treat their workers fairly. And customers notice. They vote with their wallets. It’s inspiring, honestly.
And the technology! Oh my god, the technology. AI, machine learning, personalized shopping experiences. It’s like something out of a sci-fi movie. I mean, I’m not saying it’s perfect—far from it—but the potential is there.
I remember when online shopping was just… clunky. You’d add something to your cart, and it would disappear. Or you’d try to check out, and the site would crash. Those days are (mostly) gone. And it’s a good thing.
Final Thoughts (Because I Have to Wrap This Up)
Look, e-commerce is a mess. It’s complicated. It’s frustrating. But it’s also exciting. It’s a chance to reach customers you never would have otherwise. It’s a chance to build something amazing.
So, if you’re thinking about starting an e-commerce business, do it. But do it right. Be honest. Be fair. Be committed. And for the love of god, don’t charge $15 for shipping.
And if you’re a customer, be smart. Do your research. Read reviews—but take them with a grain of salt. And remember, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with a bottle of wine and a good book. Preferably one about something other than e-commerce.
About the Author: Sarah Johnson has been in the e-commerce game for over 20 years. She’s seen it all—from the dot-com bubble to the rise of ethical consumerism. She’s opinionated, she’s blunt, and she’s not afraid to call out bad behavior. When she’s not writing, she’s probably complaining about something on Twitter.