From Single’s Day to the largest global online shopping feast: Stories of China’s Black Friday (4)

Olivia Ze, 30

Toronto

Business assistant, less enthusiastic about Double Eleven

Here in Canada, Chinese-Canadians and Chinese are everywhere. Most of them have heard about Double Eleven. For many first-generation Chinese immigrants, Chinese online shopping platforms might be a way to regain connection with their former homeland. There are many Chinese products you cannot find here, so the Double Eleven festival is an excellent opportunity for them to buy in bulk. Many older immigrants know nothing about online shopping, or how to use smartphones, so their children can help them, and by doing so, the kids can also find a new way to understand China.

Though many Chinese-Canadians do pay attention to Double Eleven, very few try it. First of all, most Chinese online platforms require payment methods that are only available in China. Then the complicated discount rules are all in Chinese, making it hard for many of us to understand. Most importantly, the shipping fee can be tremendous. I tried to buy some stuff on Tmall once, and the shipping fee scared the soul out of me, so I don’t join in during Double Eleven anymore.

My Chinese-Canadian friends, or Canadians, are usually amazed by the diversity of goods on Taobao when they first see it. Still, for the reasons I mentioned above, very few actually try it. I hope Double Eleven could become more international in the future, providing foreign buyers with cheaper shipping costs, more payment methods and more language support, helping all of us join this type of online event.