Choosing cheap prices over supporting locals?
With the economic downturn we are currently facing, it seems like everyone is affected and when the going gets tough, everybody has to fight to survive however they can. The case at hand comes after it was revealed that a popular online shopping platform is allegedly limiting the number of product purchases from China to grow our local Malaysian industry, but netizens have some concerns.
“Look. We understand that we want to limit purchases on [this online shopping platform] from overseas sellers to grow our own industry. We understand and we intend to fully support. But if overseas sellers can sell a pair of earrings for RM2, and our local sellers sell the same pair of earrings for RM40, how will we be able to give our full support? Serious question.”
The Twitter user continued voicing her concerns, saying:
“If the local brand designs the product themselves, looks for their own material and sends out the orders and then sells it as their own product, that’s fine. But if they buy the items from China and then simply replace the labels, then I don’t know what to say. Everyone has their own rice bowl (source of income). I guess.”
Another Twitter user offered his two cents, tweeting…
“Just support according to your means. If both sellers sell at the same prices, then support local. If overseas sellers sell cheaper, just buy. Don’t feel guilty. Support local but who will support our wallets??”
Another Twitter user laments her experience looking for a handbag:
“Just like handbags. There’s one on [the popular online shopping platform] from China selling at RM20+/-. But when I compare to local sellers, they sell the same thing with the same design on [the popular online shopping platform], Twitter, Instagram, at the price of RM60+/-. So how?”
Well, as another user went on to point out…
“True and most of us are not privileged enough to choose to support local sellers because we are not able to support ourselves and our family during this difficult time. We just have enough to eat. So of course, we will choose whichever is cheaper.”
So it falls to us to make the best decisions for ourselves. Spend according to your means, and please ensure that you have enough saved up for a rainy day. If you have some extra to spare, go ahead and treat yourself (and if you can, support a fellow local or two)!
*Cover image via Twitter
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