Holiday shoppers seeking unique gifts with the convenience of online shopping have found the right match in ShangBy.com, a web site that provides a true shopping experience via video conference with a personal shopper in Shanghai, China, where jewelry and silks are 50 – 80% off US prices.
ShangBy.com was featured yesterday on the Rachael Ray show as a cool online shopping idea (http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/show/segments/view/cool-online-holiday- shopping-ideas/) (Due to its length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one exists.). Rachael and AOL consumer advisor Regina Lewis (http://www.reginalewis.com/2007/12/05/rachael-ray-wow-websites/) did a live virtual shopping trip in Shanghai with shopping host Nina Johansson and store owner Annetta Gou of Annetta’s Jewelry. Rachael was thrilled to negotiate with the storeowner for a $62 string of real freshwater pearls that would retail in the US for $300.
After a successful first year of business, interest in ShangBy.com has increased markedly throughout this holiday season with 54 times more visitors than the previous quarter, a growth of over 5000%. Increased traffic is met with a newly enhanced web site that is easier to use and includes demonstration videos to show users how to shop ShangBy.com and educate them on how pearl necklaces and other jewelry are made by hand in Shanghai.
“ShangBy.com is a completely new - and very fun - way to shop online,” said ShangBy.com founder and CEO, Stephen Bell. “My hope is that Americans will truly experience the great culture and people of China, while at the same time find great deals on all styles of jewelry, from triple A quality pearls to semi-precious stones like onyx, jade and agate.”
ShangBy.com gives people two ways to shop: 1) visit www.shangby.com and dial into the Shop Live toll-free phone line Sunday through Thursday starting at 9 p.m. EST to shop live in a Shanghai store with host Nina Johansson or, 2) browse the site 24/7 to buy one of the 1000+ items that other shoppers have already negotiated through live shopping. Every purchase is 100 percent guaranteed forever.
ShangBy.com will host live shopping through Dec. 20th, break for the holidays, and then resume broadcasting live again on Sunday, Jan 6th. Customers are encouraged to shop the online product inventory and purchase through the secure check out through the holidays.
About ShangBy
Founded in November 2006, ShangBy has created a new form of consumer entertainment and shopping where people come to shop in the markets of the world - without leaving their homes. Merging live video broadcasting with personal shopping, ShangBy users (known as "ShangBuyers") are able to communicate visually, verbally and in real time with a retailer positioned in Shanghai. The ShangBuyer controls the shopping event through their personal interests and product selection. Negotiating prices is not only encouraged, but customary in China. With investment support from G-51 and Draper Richards, ShangBy is set to become the Internet's trailblazing interactive video shopping service. For more information, visit http://www.ShangBy.com.