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Thursday 18 March 2010 (UAE)
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Online shopping Abu Dhabi Dubai UAE
Note that a listing here is no guarantee of authenticity or reliability. Check before you enter credit card details that there is at least https at the start of the URL (not http without an 's'), and a padlock icon displayed somewhere as part of your browser (not the website itself). That in itself is not sufficient to guarantee security but if you don't see that, then any information you supply is at a much higher risk of being stolen.
There are many specialist online shopping websites, and many "bricks and mortar" UAE companies have websites with online ordering facilities such as UAE airlines for example. The list of online shopping websites is restricted (mostly) to companies that are dedicated ecommerce companies. If you have a good one to suggest that is not listed here, please add it to the UAE web directory. Thank you.
Many online ordering websites have their own credit card processing systems but some use third party providers such as Paypal and 2Checkout / 2CO (note that 2CO is not actually a payment processor but a reseller, however the result appears to be the same for shoppers), or ePay (a UAE based processor). Don't panic if a third party processing system is used but do try and confirm if it is a reputable service. Often it can be to your benefit anyway as they may have more robust and helpful procedures for dealing with problems if orders are not delivered for example.
Online shopping websites Abu Dhabi, Dubai and UAE
- www.bonkers.ae - a Bonkers website with all sorts of silly stuff you never knew you could buy. Look for Arse Face Soap to solve that perennial problem of which side of the soap to use (especially when someone else has been in the shower before you). Or if you've ever wondered where you can buy a Newton's Cradle, bonkers.ae have them. Party items, silly costumes, wigs, magic stuff, games, and more. Good place to find a last minute birthday present that's a bit wacky. Next day courier delivery in Dubai, 2 day delivery in rest of UAE. Delivery charges minimum 25 dhs for less than 5kg, 50 dhs for 5kg-10kg. Payment by credit card through 2checkout (a well-enough known reseller that most will think of as a payment processor), or Cash on Delivery (COD). Email queries@bonkers.ae for international orders. Return defective goods to Bonkers!ae, Office 513, Building 8, Dubai Media City, UAE. Tel +971-4-3903659.
- www.brownbag.ae - Brown Bag is an online supermarket of sorts, with lots more including electronic goodies, DVD rentals (for 15 dhs), and a 1 hour delivery time in Dubai (website says delivery only in Dubai when checked January 2009). Delivery charge is 10 dhs. Operates 24/7 and payment can be made by credit card on delivery. Not www.brownbag.com.
- www.citrusstv.com - Citruss TV online eshop launched October 2006, household goods and beauty products, based in Dubai but delivers throughout the Middle East, tel +971-6-5034534 (Sharjah?). Online version of a TV shopping channel. No information obvious about shipping costs, or payment methods (November 2009).
- www.ellamart.com
- www.emart.ae (forum topic) - online grocery shopping. Not www.emart.com.
- www.nahel.com - launched August 2008, free shipping in the UAE, pay with credit card via PayPal or cash on delivery, tel +971-4-3392662 or toll-free 800-NAHEL (800-62435), Founder and MD Saeed Hejaz / Hijaz.
- www.quickabudhabi.com - like Quick Dubai but for Abu Dhabi, launched November 2009.
- www.quickdubai.com - gift website for flowers, cakes, chocolates, and joke gifts, offers a "Talking Tag" spoken message instead of a gift card with purchases. Managing Director Kajsa Dokakis.
Online auction websites Abu Dhabi, Dubai and UAE
- www.souq.com - Souq.com (not Souk.com) is a popular online auction website based in the UAE, tel +971-4-4290513. Even if not wanting to buy or sell stuff through them, it's a good place to check out prices of second hand goods to get an idea of what to sell your junk for. Run by the Maktoob Group.
- www.uaemall.com - UAE Mall, PO Box 8223, Abu Dhabi, UAE. Online auction marketplace with buying and selling options at the advertised price. Sellers can offer single items, set up an online shop or start auctions. Buyers can participate in auctions, or simply buy items offered. Not in operation when checked May 2009? Google search results for uaemall.com say "This site may harm your computer".
Specialist online shopping websites
- www.arabcraft.com - was an online store for Arab and UAE products but looks like spammers have taken it over (last checked January 2009)
- www.arabianbazaar.com - Arabian Bazaar, dedicated to buying perfumes and other smelly stuff online. Sharjah based, established 2002. No telephone number found.
- www.bluebanana.ae - no, not a funny fruit & vegetable market but online booking for a wide range of excursions and activities ranging from the usual desert safaris to a ride in a jet fighter training plane (for AED 15,000, and you have to go to Moscow). Tel (in UAE) 800-BBANANA / 800-2226262 or +971-4-4368100. Owner / CEO fled the UAE in June 2009 to avoid debtors prison.
- www.bargainsonbooks.com - Dubai based online book store, operated by Pioneer House LLC, PO Box 20318, tel +971-4-2826005, fax +971-4-2826692, email info@pioneerhouse.com. Lack of secure input pages for personal information and credit card information (for Mashreq Bank customers) puts us off. No information found about shipping costs, locations, times (checked 15 December 2009). Much better looking version at www.bargains4kids.com.
- www.booksarabia.com - Books Arabia, online website for Motivate Publishing, a Dubai based publisher. Also sells art prints and antique books.
- www.diabetic-care.com - Diabeticare online medical shop dedicated to diabetic supplies, based in Dubai, part of Pharmatrade LLC. Tel +971-4-2667002. E-shop launched December 2006.
- www.dreamdays.ae - another activity booking website, similar to Blue Banana (except Dream Days are still in operation as of July 2009). Based in Dubai, tel +971-4-2669906 or toll-free 800-2080, email customerservices@dreamdays.ae.
- www.epharmacy.ae - apparently an online pharmacy but no website found yet (last checked January 2009)
- www.flowersdubai.com - Flowers Dubai, buy flowers for UAE delivery. Dubai based, tel +971-4-2218475, email info@flowersdubai.com. Add 50 dhs for delivery outside Dubai.
- www.magrudy.com - Magrudy's Bookshop e-shop, Magrudy's is a well-known Dubai based book shop. Online ordering of books under development when checked (January 2009)
- www.sentimentsflowers.com - Sentiments Flowers, Dubai based, tel 971-4-3432212, email sflowers@emirates.net.ae, website says they deliver in "Dubai and any where in the world" or "can be delivered in United Arab Emirates only" or "For deliveries outside UAE, please contact us". Good luck trying to figure that out. Website not available when checked May 2009.
- www.uaepets.com - online pet shop (website hacked when checked January 2009, unknown if still operational)
Last update Saturday 09-Jan-2010
Related pages
- Abu Dhabi shopping centers
- Books Dubai UAE - a list of books about the emirates
- Dubai shopping malls
- UAE shopping - centers and malls in other emirates
Related websites (open in new window)
- Dubai directory - add your link free