Indonesian version of Amazon/online stores

[zxcv1001]

Hi all,

I realise that Amazon.com actually delivers many items to Indonesia, but I would like to know if there are equivalents in Indonesia. I have looked very briefly at :

1) shopee.co.id
2) www.tokopedia.com
3) www.bukalapak.com

My question is : would these sites allow accounts to be opened by a foreigner with a foreign credit card? I will be coming to Jakarta and hope to stay here for about 4 months. I will get a local sim card, so will have a Indo phone number.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[jstar]

Here more info:

Tokopedia stopped accepting international credit cards

I've been using the Tokopedia online store in Indonesia for several months now with my credit cards from back home in the USA. Suddenly this month they stopped accepting them as payment with a transaction failure saying they don't take international credit cards. The Lazada online store doesn't...

www.expatindo.org

 

[jukung11]

My understanding is one of the issues for these sites is Indonesian banks generally don't have the same consumer protections as foreign credit cards. Like you cannot contest charges and get chargebacks the same and they require PINs to use. This makes many Indonesian websites less likely to accept them. Anyone can correct me if my understanding is incorrect.

You can go to any Indomaret or other convenience marts and load up prepaid emoney on different platforms like gopay or banks like e-money Mandiri. Most sites accept many forms of payment and sometimes COD. You may not be able to finance everything with a credit card, but you can still shop and get by if you have cash.

BTW, don't forget to register your phone at customs in the airport. A tourist sim is only good for 90 days. 4 months will need a registered phone.

 

[Balifrog]

You can use the C.O.D. option (Cash on delivery).

 

[jstar]

Whether there’s COD possible depends on the shop.

 

[Balifrog]

Whether there’s COD possible depends on the shop.

Agreed, but from what I noted the vast majority do it.

Tokopedia, again from what I saw, seem to have the most limited payment methods.

Personally we use mainly Shopee and Lazada.
Used to shop a lot on AliExpress before it was banned.

 

[jstar]

We even often get veggies and meat via Shopee. They have every once in a while free shipping and discount offers (-10%). So sometimes it’s worth to wait a bit with ordering. personally I prefer the interface of Tokopedia but in the end they don’t differ so much.

 

[Balifrog]

We even often get veggies and meat via Shopee. They have every once in a while free shipping and discount offers (-10%). So sometimes it’s worth to wait a bit with ordering. personally I prefer the interface of Tokopedia but in the end they don’t differ so much.

How is the meat packed ? I mean how does it stays fresh ?

 

[jstar]

For that we always use the instant courier, so still frozen chicken etc. Others like King Kong or so, add ice and wrap it with aluminium bubble wrap.

 

[fastpitch17]

How is the meat packed ? I mean how does it stays fresh ?

I have received hams, sausages, and cheese. Sent next day and all but once packed refrigerated or frozen in styrofoam with freezer packets. Once in a box but never again. I have a shelf stacked high with various smaller styro boxes. Best to ask seller before buying.

 

[zxcv1001]

Just to update : I'm in Jakarta and successfully managed to order something from Tokapedia. I used GoPay as my payment method. I topped up GoPay by handing over cash at an Indomaret.

Cheers guys, for your advice!

 

[Jaime C]

What are everyones favorite online stores, for western food items? Last month I was really craving green olives. I usually bring some stuffed large ones, stuffed with garlic or jalapeno. Unfortunately, these larger glass bottles only last me a week or less.

I’ve tried the imported small bottles at the supermarket here, and the olives are so small, and at 30-60k for a baby bottle, it is an unsatisfying transaction.

These cost $6-7 each at Costco in the US, and of course weigh a bit, and bringing in luggage is slightly risky if manhandled. I pack very securely, and in 25 years have broken no glass bottles, but still.

I found some huge cans of spanish green pitted olives on Tokopedia, as low as 140k. My wife often thinks a lot of imported things are scams, but I finally convinced her to give it a shot. 3kg La Rambla brand, I believe the weight is inclusive of the brine.

It arrived in a few days, but was just packed in a thin layer of bubblewrap. The can was dented on one side majorly. Luckily the can kept it’s integrity, and had no leaks. The olives are decent, and the price is certainly right. Hauling heavy stuff in luggage 9000 miles is no fun. And extra 50 pound bags at $200 each are no fun, either.

 

[John indonesia]

I use Shopee from time to time, and Tokopedia now and again.
I use them when I can't find what I want in a normal shop. So far, there have been no serious problems except a lost package, and that got refunded.

 

[Pak Tani]

Tokopedia has an interesting feature that allows you to login with just your gmail account. No need to create an account at tokopedia. You can then order something and at check out you choose Indomaret/Alfamaret as your payment option. Tokopedia will then give you a code that you can bring to your favorite supermarket, pay in cash and voilà: done. Easy peasy (and fairly anonimous).