Choosing one over the other may be pointless as we can have both apps on our phone. I still would like to point out how one is better than the other in some aspects in the hopes that both apps can eventually improve on those areas.
App Performance and Speed
Lazada and Shopee can be slow especially on peak hours but each site differs on how they handle loading info on your screen.
Lazada screen while ad details are loading
Lazada shows a black template for the ad while it is loading. Once all details are ready, they are simultaneously displayed.
Shopee screen while loading (left) and completely loaded (right)
Shopee on the other hand, is quick to show basic info first and other details later. The incomplete information gets confusing especially if the download speed or site traffic is slow. Shopee generally takes longer to display complete info on the screen.
While Shopee may be slower, searching for items is more accurate in Shopee. Lazada often shows items that did not satisfy the search parameters, especially if you sort the items according to price.
Product Information Presentation
Lazada can easily display if an item is on hand and can be readily shipped. If the item is not available, adding to cart or buying options are not available. One can only add it to their wishlist.
Shopee allows a pre-order status on their items. This is different from their "sold out"status. One can still buy pre-order items. If you add it to your cart, you can see the available stocks left. This is highly confusing since the item is on pre-order.
In Lazada, questions about the product are posted for the public to read. This prevents users from asking the same questions over and over. In Shopee, asking about the product is done via private chat.
One good thing from Shopee is that you can easily know where the item will be coming from. In Lazada, there is no quick way of knowing if the item will be from overseas. You have to click the delivery details to find out.
Delivery
Lazada is consistent when it comes to delivery as it uses its own delivery service. Shopee uses a number of delivery services including LBC, 2Go, NinjaVan and Black Arrow. Each company associated with Shopee has their own systems but slow delivery has been a known fact about Shopee.
Courtesy of delivery personnel is also consistent with Lazada. Their system automatically sends notification via email and SMS that a package is on its way. On top of that, the delivery personnel also calls or texts the buyer that they are on their way. The delivery status in the app is updated in a few minutes after the delivery.
NinjaVan and 2Go only has SMS notification from their system. The delivery men don't call or text. The status in Shopee takes a few hours or up to a couple days until it is tagged as delivered.
Returns and Rating
I haven't processed a return using either system. I did encounter unreliable sellers using both platforms. In Lazada, I refused to accept a delivery because it wasn't what I ordered. I was able to do so because that specific item was packed in a semi-transparent packaging. One can also refuse accepting a delivery in Shopee, but this will adversely affect your privilege to buy using cash-on-delivery. I don't know if Lazada does the same.
Ratings will help the next buyer to decide whether to buy or not. Both Shopee and Lazada uses a 5-star rating system for the items. In Shopee, the seller and item are rated as one. In Lazada, the sellers are rated separately using a smiley or sad face.
Ratings and product reviews are nicely presented in Lazada. It is sorted according to helpfulness of the review. Buyers tag the reviews with a like or tag it as spam. Reviews with the most likes are shown first. A buyer can still review the items months after accepting the item. A buyer can change a positive review to a negative review if the item breaks.
Shopee's ratings page is annoying with the blank reviews (with star ratings only) mixed with generic and repeating reviews. The latest reviews are shown first. Buyers cannot tag a review to be helpful or spammy. In Shopee, the buyer has a short amount of time to test the product and post a review. The reviews may be unreliable since the product was not tested for a long period of time. That is why I don't buy electronic gadgets in Shopee.
In Shopee, buyers are rated by the sellers as well. This means that sellers can use this as basis for refusing to sell to a certain person. Lazada has no buyer blocking. Buyer ratings in Shopee are being used by some sellers to manipulate the ratings given to them. Just see the image below.
Summary
The following is what we liked about each platform, as a buyer.
Lazada
- faster app
- good delivery service
- buyers are not rated
- no pre-orders
- public questions and answers
- more helpful rating system
- no suspension of COD privilege
Shopee
- more informative ads
- better item searching
- lower price (including free shipping)
- holding payment until disputes are settled
- sells pre-loved items
Update:
(14Nov2018)
11.11 Sale Review
I participated in the 11.11 sale from both platforms. After 2 days, I have already received all of the items I ordered from Lazada.
I haven't received any item from the Shopee 11.11 sale. There was even an error in the Shopee app indicating that pick up from the seller failed even if I received an SMS from NinjaVan that my item will be shipped.
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