Shopping Online in Israel in 2021 | Best Practices and Traps

SHOPPING ONLINE IN ISRAEL | Some people, like me, now swear only by the Internet when it comes to shopping (shopping online in israel for people living in Israel) , while some prefer traditional in-store sales.

Why Shopping Online?

There are also some who do not hesitate to combine the two: shopping online and shopping in traditional stores.

Rumors about Amazon coming to Israel are making the buzz for months now, and everybody is super excited here about that!

Microsoft has published a study on online shopping, with the assistance of 1,100 people aged 18 and over that we can use to understand online shopping in Israel.

According to the answers provided, the main advantage of e-commerce (online shopping) would be the best prices.

They are indeed 88% to evoke it.

For more than three quarters, the speed of purchase and the wide availability of products would also be undeniable assets.

Now, they would be 85% to appreciate the customer advice and 77% to like the possibility to change their minds easily, the advantages they grant to the physical shops, which make it possible to be sure to leave with the good product - the one that meets their initial expectations.

And for those who have not made the decision to buy online and still do not dare, the survey says more about what reassures others.

It turns out that secure payment (SSL for instance) is the incentive to buy from one merchant site rather than another. 75% evoke it.

Then comes the fact of having this habits on the site (52%), the fact that the site is in the local language (39%), the fact that it is the official store of a big brand (38%) and the positive opinions of buyers (37%).

That's how 18 - 34-year-olds trust content platforms like Apple's or Microsoft's, while 35-54s give it more to distribution giants such as Amazon.

We can easily believe that online shopping in Israel happens for the very same reasons. 

What about Online Shopping in Israel in 2021?

According to a study by Ebay, 95% of the Israeli people that are internet users have made at least one purchase online in 2016.

72% are buying more than three times a month.

Most of the things that are bought online are Coupons, phones, travels, gadgets, appliances, and fashion of course.

The sites Israeli people prefer are eBay and AliExpress.

Average cart when shopping online in Israel is $68, only $7 less than in the USA and $18 more than in the UK.

At first sight, Israel may not seem like the number one country for online shopping.

With unique geographical circumstances, security issues, divided demography and only 8.2 million people, who would have bet on online shopping in Israel and on Israeli market back in time?

In a country known for innovation and technology, consumer goods are often of poor quality while more expensive compared to other developed countries.

Even Israeli Start-Up companies prefer to focus on larger markets.

Israeli residents are very often going to buy online from foreign websites: AliExpress, Wish, Asos, etc.

According to the Israel Internet Association, 75%of Israelis make online purchases — mostly from China, followed by the U.S., the U.K., and Brazil.

79% of online Israeli shoppers have made purchases from foreign sites, according to a joint study from PayPal and Ipsos.

Why shopping online in Israel then?

Legit question ,right?

If most of the things are better quality, better taste, and/or cheaper abroad, why not buying everything online from abroad?

According to the law in Israel, “a consignment of goods with a total value of up to $75 is exempt from import taxes.”

Let’s assume you buy some cool clothes on Asos.

According to the Israeli taxes, a consignment of clothing valued $65 and shipping fees of $20, i.e., a total value of $85, will nevertheless be exempt from taxes.

Also, two packages or more that are sent from the same supplier to the same customer within up to 72 hours will be considered a single consignment that was split, and import taxes will be calculated based on the aggregate value of all the goods.

What is, for sure, better to buy in Israel than to buy abroad, even online?

Home appliances for sure.

This is a category that you can, or rather you really should, buy in Israel only.

And the good news is that with online stores, you have better prices all the time.

Why?

Because sellers from all over Israel are in direct competition on the Internet and customers can compare products live.

Want to buy home appliances online in Israel?

Be careful…

In Israel, the system is fundamentally different compared to USA and Europe for instance.

Olim Chadashim are often surprised by the online buying process.

So we find it important to provide our readers with the following information:

1. Most of the time, brands are not working “directly” in Israel.
   
   They sell to you through importers.
   
   These importers are selling through brick and mortar stores and online stores.
   
   The importers are providing the warranties, not the stores.
   
   Among the importers, we have Official Importers from one side and Parallel Importers from the other side.
   
   Please note that Official Importer Yevuan Rishmi (יבואן רשמי) is only the one in measure to provide an official warranty (the warranty from the brand itself).
   
   The Parallel Importer Yevu Magbil (יבוא מקביל) provides its own warranty under its conditions, and is not in touch with the brand directly.
   
   For this reason, products from a parallel importer are cheaper than product from official importer?
   
   The same TV will be way cheaper from a parallel importer than from an official importer. You need to be very cautious about that.
   
   

1. Since the only person that is in touch with the brand is the official importer, the official importer needs to send its own technician to open the product box and to install the product.
   
   If it’s not him, you lose the warranty as soon as you open the box yourself.
   
   The technician is not the delivery person because they are not from the same company: delivery persons are independent or are working at the store directly while technicians are from the official importer company.
   
   Thus, in case your product needs an installation, you cannot use it the day you receive it.
   
   You need to wait for the technician who is sent after you receive your product.
   
   

1. Products are put in their box in the factory (Germany, China, Poland, etc.) and aren’t put out of this box until it arrives at the client place.
   
   The product traveled ten of thousands of kilometers. So it happens that the product arrives broken.
   
   The product will obviously be replaced right away, but you have that in Israel - it happens.
   
   
2. In case you have an issue with your product, you need to call the official importer directly.
   
   There is no point calling the store, and there is nothing the store can do because the official importer provides the warranty.
   
   
3. A lot of Olim think that the website ZAP is a price comparison website that compares all the website and find you the best prices, like Google Shopping would do.
   
   Zap shows only the websites that are paying to appear on it.
   
   Zap shows side by side official and parallel importers, so be very careful when you see a product cheaper than the other.
   
   You need to go to the website and look for the warranty section.
   
   Zap won’t tell you.