Technobiography

m-Commerce shopping at SM

My friend and I purchased a few items at Watson’s in SM Megamall. My usual curiousity found me chatting with the cashier and bagger lady.

These are some info they shared:

* Some people [ aside from me! ] do in fact make purchases using G-Cash or Smart Money. (At least at SM Megamall which is in stark contrast to the very low m-commerce transactions at Robinson’s).
* Regarding frequency of m-commerce transactions, the cashier describes it as “madalang” (infrequent).
* Sometimes a day or two pass by without any m-commerce purchases.
* But in a week, they do get 5-10 m-commerce transactions. That’s at Watson’s, a beauty and hygiene section of the mall.
* There are more m-commerce transactions at the stationery and office supplies section, the bagger lady added.
* When asked for an explanation, bagger lady says some students buy their school supplies via G-Cash (note, she explicitly said G-Cash).
* She continues to explain that these students receive their allowance via G-Cash.

Isn’t it interesting what a 1-minute chat could bring up?

My thoughts:

* Many months ago, I conducted a few transactions at Megamall using Smart Money. The cashiers I transacted with were uneasy with the new m-commerce technology. This time around, the cashier sounded a lot more confident. She even promoted the service saying: “Sir, sa text lang, pwede nang mag-bayad.” (Just by using text, you can make a payment).
* It’s good to know that students (and their parents) have found a good use for G-Cash.
* It’s a revelation that students picked up m-commerce ahead of the yuppies. I’m wondering if it is a direct result of a marketing campaign of G-Cash at schools.
* Another explanation is: yuppies have access to ATM cards and credit cards whereas students have less access to these cards. G-Cash is a financial tool that’s easier to subscribe to than a credit card.

It’s all good. Each and every development in m-commerce is like an additional road in the path towards an m-commerce society.

ka edong
moblogging at SM