Test: Online shops for motorcycle clothing and motorcycle accessories

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Test: Online shops for motorcycle clothing and motorcycle accessories
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clothing

Test: Online shops for motorcycle clothing and motorcycle accessories

Service: Sender test
Online shops in a large comparison test

Why trudge through the shops when the good is so close: Order comfortably from your PC at home and have the new motorcycle gear delivered straight to your home. The only question that remains is: what is coming? But also: When does it come? Twelve online shops had to face the MOTORRAD undercover test.

Jorg Lohse

02/18/2010

Those from MOTORRAD … get the finest factory material delivered free of charge at lightning speed on a phone call. At least that’s how you hear it again and again in the scene and from critical readership. Admittedly, when there are test requirements, the desired article usually ends up in the editorial office very quickly. So the question arises: Does this rule also apply to normal Otto customers? In order to check this, MOTORRAD has pre-buttoned twelve online shops in this test that specialize in the dispatch of motorcycle clothing. Test purchases should clarify how the quality of the senders is doing.

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Of course there are many more providers in the global network. It becomes utterly endless if you add the so-called “Powerseller” accounted for by biker hardware on the Ebay sales platform. A preselection was unavoidable and in the end the shops that withstood a critical consumer gaze got stuck: company headquarters in Germany and not in Hong Kong, the general terms and conditions (GTC) transparently stored, all prices in euros and the content in German.

The only thing missing for the right undercover test is an harmless delivery address. The focus quickly fell on the wife of a test editor, who fatally refrained from exchanging her surname when exchanging rings. So a perfectly camouflaged address was available. When the postman finally rang the doorbell. Not once, not twice, no, packages kept piling up, the wallet was pulled out and the bill was paid cash on delivery.

Before the clever objection arises that in the age of credit cards and fiduciary processing via PayPal you can do without the costly cash on delivery: Such a test is also about a uniform order pattern. And the method of handing the parcel operator in exchange for goods was offered by every sender. Beware of the additional costs: On the one hand, of course, the online shop can sometimes hit it hard, which sometimes doubles the amount of delivery costs. And the post office also picks up the money again and charges another two euros transfer fee. Good senders explicitly point out this extra payment in the breakdown of the delivery costs.

As a rule, the shops rely on the handling of the Deutsche Post AG, some of them are sent via GLS. Advantage of “private” Parcel services: If a delivery attempt does not work, they will come by a second and third time. In the event of an unsuccessful DHL delivery, you can quickly find an orange card in the mailbox and then stand in an endless line in the next branch. With postal competitors it only gets stupid if the delivery doesn’t work out and the next parcel depot is half an hour’s drive away. At the latest then you will seriously ask yourself why you ordered online at all.

But not only the processing of the test purchase fell into the evaluation scheme. The quality of the web shops was just as scrutinized as the customer service: How quickly and competently are inquiries by email or telephone processed, for example?

In any case, one is miles away from a service wasteland on this point. Most inquiries by e-mail were answered within a few hours, and competent information was also quickly provided on the phone. Only at the motorcycle corner and at FC Moto are you not really on your toes when talking to customers.

In the end, the conclusion remains that “those of MOTORRAD” apparently no extra sausage is fried in the case of official test requirements. Nine of the twelve orders had arrived within five working days and many inquiries and queries about the order were answered in a friendly manner. Now it depends on how professionally returns are handled. We will report – together with your experiences, which you can describe to us online.

Biker country


Test: Online shops for motorcycle clothing and motorcycle accessories


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www.biker-land.de

TEST PURCHASE
Ordered items: Gloves, textile jacket, rain pants
Value of goods: 163.59 euros
Shipping: 4.90 euros cash on delivery fee
Delivery time: 7 days

Buying atmosphere:
The appearance of the website looks old-fashioned, but the range is pretty fresh with around 20 trendy brands, and via the menu item “price inquiry” with the possibility of an individual price request, you face the harsh and fast Internet competition in a very contemporary way. While delivery times are clearly displayed, other important information such as size tables are missing. The colorfully mixed up manufacturer photos vary greatly in their expressiveness.

Payment modalities:
Either prepayment, cash on delivery or Paypal trustee system (debiting from account, EC or credit card). average.

Customer Service:
The response to an e-mail request took two days and then disappointed with vague statements. However, all ambiguities about the desired product were clarified in a friendly and detailed manner over the phone. The service is fine.

Shipment:
Although shipping is listed as a flat rate of five euros in the terms and conditions, there were only cash on delivery charges. Nice surprise, but such long delivery times are a no-go in the web age.

CONCLUSION:
Active dealers who go to the web to attract customers with a lot of motorcycle soul and a considerable range of brands. Except for the rather bland, poorly informative Internet pages and the long delivery times, a very decent shop.

MOTORRAD verdict: Satisfactory

Borjes


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www.borjes.com

TEST PURCHASE
Ordered items: Textile jacket, kidney belt, helmet collar, neck warmer, sunglasses
Value of goods: 220.19 euros
Shipping: Free delivery plus 3 Euro cash on delivery fee
Delivery time: 4 days

Buying atmosphere:
Lots of brands, a large selection, but a confusing flood of information that lacks a clear structure. The quality of the images is sometimes poor, and switching to larger views is complicated. The shopping mask lacks a clear representation of the sequence of steps, a helpful search mask or a link to the (many existing) bargains is completely dispensed with.

Payment modalities:
Prepayment, cash on delivery or processing via PayPal. But: customer data is partly transmitted unencrypted, and knowledge of the terms and conditions is not even requested.

Customer Service:
Somebody else say, East Frisians are taciturn. Inquiries are answered quickly and competently. In return, there is no information about the status of the delivery, but a return slip will be sent on request.

Shipment:
There is a confusing variety when it comes to specifying cash on delivery charges. On the other hand, it seems clear that shipping is free from 50 euros and, in our case, the entire order is processed after four days.

CONCLUSION:
In addition to well-known brands, interesting exotic species (Puma, Halvarssons) can be found in Dieter Boerjes’ online shop. One drawback is the lack of clarity. The direct line to the customer, on the other hand, is exemplary.

MOTORRAD verdict: Satisfactory

Detlev Louis


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www.louis.de

TEST PURCHASE
Ordered items: Gloves, finger wiper, textile jacket, kidney belt, boxer shorts, short boots
Value of goods: 173.70 euros
Shipping: 3.95 euros plus 4.20 euros cash on delivery fee
Delivery time: 2 days

Buying atmosphere:
Clearly structured product groups and often the option of being able to take a close look at everything in the truest sense using a giant zoom and 360-degree view. Particularly great: the helmet advisor, a software module that makes it much easier to choose the right helmet. Availabilities, size tables, prices and other important information can almost always be found at a glance – great!

Payment modalities:
Invoices are possible from the first purchase, prepayment, all major credit cards accepted, cash on delivery and even purchase in installments. Customer data is encrypted. 1a choices.

Customer Service:
Free return, that means: non-binding fitting at home is easily possible. In addition, the e-mail correspondence worked extremely well in the test: order confirmation, tracking number for checking the delivery, feedback on technical questions – everything was quick and immediate.

Shipment:
Particularly for larger deliveries (e.g. leather suit), the flat rate of 3.90 euros (extra costs for cash on delivery) is calculated fairly.

CONCLUSION:
This is how online shopping is fun. at Louis you have obviously understood the craft: website, service and the huge range are well above average. In addition, delivery and payment work smoothly. Perfect!

MOTORRAD verdict: Outstanding
Top shop

FC Moto


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www.fc-moto.de

TEST PURCHASE
Ordered items: Gloves, full-face helmet, fleece sweater
Value of goods: 174.85 euros
Shipping: 4.90 euros plus 4.90 euros cash on delivery fee
Delivery time: 5 days (partial delivery) + 2 days

Buying atmosphere:
Here it pops with offers. The discount percentage flashes right on the home page. Very colorful and screaming. However, this is perfectly fine, because bargain hunters can quickly locate the best deals within the large variety of brands. Overall, you can easily find your way around the store thanks to the well-prepared product information.

Payment modalities:
Not everyone has a Master or Visa credit card, and the only alternative is cash on delivery with the extra costs due. Unattractive.
Customer service A question asked by e-mail remained completely unanswered, and often no one answered the phone. The delivery status was at least correctly transmitted via the tracking function. Nevertheless, the impression arose that the customer was being handled soberly.

Shipment:
Almost a week delivery time, that’s a long time. The helmet was missing, but two days later it will be handed in free of charge. For shipping, 4.90 euros are charged instead of the 2.90 euros stated on the website. Not very convincing.

CONCLUSION:
Bargain hunters with a weakness for branded goods are in good hands here. However, you should be a patient person because of longer delivery times. Good, who knows exactly what suits (him). Because direct advice could be better.

MOTORRAD verdict: Satisfactory

Hein Gericke


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www.hein-gericke.de

TEST PURCHASE
Ordered items: Gloves, rain gloves, multi-cloth, textile jacket, protectors, leather grease
Value of goods: 155.25 euros
Shipping: 3.95 euros plus 2 euros cash on delivery fee
Delivery time: 1 day

Buying atmosphere:
Hein Gericke makes his extensive range accessible via sometimes fiddly, not very user-friendly drop-down menus. Important features such as a size calculator are even hidden in the second row. Too bad. Overall, however, a solid online shop.

Payment modalities:
New customers can only pay by cash on delivery or credit card (Amex, Master, Visa). Skinny.

Customer Service:
Because a jacket was out of stock, the partial delivery was accompanied by a shopping voucher for ten euros. Nice, but why is the product still in the web store days afterwards as a “immediately available” listed? In addition, the advice for technical inquiries (by e-mail) was a long time coming. The telephone hotline was permanently manned at times, and after 4 p.m. there was no suitable contact person. Maybe just a snapshot, but the service could do better.

Shipment:
The fastest delivery in the test, barely 36 hours after ordering, the package was at the front door. The shipping costs are fair.

CONCLUSION:
From an industry size like Hein Gericke one could expect a little more. Internet presence and virtual service are average and not at the usual high level of the real shopping atmosphere and advice in the branches.

MOTORRAD verdict: Satisfactory

Harro


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www.harro.de

TEST PURCHASE
Ordered items: Gloves, back protector, cross goggles, visor cleaner, pannier
Value of goods: 136.50 euros
Shipping: 5.95 euros plus 4.94 euros cash on delivery fee
Delivery time: 3 days

Buying atmosphere:
Offers an immense selection of clothing and technology for everything to do with motorcycles. But the unstructured page structure is just as annoying as the poor photo and video quality. There is also no information on the availability of goods, and the shopping mask lacks clarity. And the bargain market has a junk character.

Payment modalities:
Here the customer is king: a purchase on account is just as possible as payment by credit card, prepayment or cash on delivery. SSL encryption is used for data transmission.

Customer Service:
Always in view: the virtual Xandra, who knocks on the monitor with a (tempting) look and offers help, but with simple inputs (e .g. “Delivery times”) is overwhelmed. It works better personally: queries by email or phone are answered quickly and competently. Also good: the display of the delivery status and the terms and conditions.

Shipment:
Shipping costs are only waived for purchases of 250 euros or more. With a delivery time of three days, you are fairly quick with the thing or with the customer.

CONCLUSION:
Light and shadow in the virtual shop of Germany’s traditional brand Harro. The shopping experience is not very tingly with sexy Xandra either. Much better: the service for the customer when it comes to specific information and payment.

MOTORRAD verdict: Satisfactory

Harry’s Biker Store


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www.harrys-biker-store.de

TEST PURCHASE
Ordered items: Gloves, rain jacket, balaclava, textile jacket, spare visor
Value of goods: 214.70 euros
Shipping: 5.95 euros plus 4.60 euros cash on delivery fee
Delivery time: 2 days

Buying atmosphere:
At Harry, the focus is on a small but fine assortment away from the mainstream. The presentation pleases with a tidy structure and meaningful basic information. But only a small preview image is available for this. The shopping cart is clearly visible with all relevant shopping information and the shopping mask is clearly structured. Bargain hunters should definitely check out the bargain market.

Payment modalities:
Cash on delivery, credit cards, prepayment: Harry offers little choice, but processes the order using secure SSL encryption.

Customer Service:
There is no information on the order status, there is a cost for telephone inquiries (01805 number), and inquiries can only be made in writing using the contact form. The information comes within a day and is very professional.

Shipment:
With a delivery time of two working days, Harry is one of the fastest senders, but also charges 5.95 euros per delivery – without a discount.

CONCLUSION:
No trouble with Harry. All items ordered are with the customer within a very short time. However, there is potential for expansion in terms of the presentation. What is definitely missing are product photos in a respectable size and a discount on shipping costs.

MOTORRAD verdict: Satisfactory

Motor port


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www.motoport.de

TEST PURCHASE
Ordered items: Detergent, textile trousers, gloves, neck protection, tank bag
Value of goods: 176.15 euros
Shipping: 5.95 euros
Delivery time: 3 days

Buying atmosphere:
Great features such as 3D views for some products or the detailed material dictionary allow you to linger on the pages, although the quality of information on individual products is very different. For example, there are no boot and glove size recommendations. Basically, however, an inviting atmosphere.

Payment modalities:
For goods worth less than 100 euros, in addition to payment by cash on delivery, advance payment or credit card (Master, Visa), an invoice or direct debit is even allowed with the first order. That invites you to buy.

Customer Service:
Try it on and send it back free of charge if you don’t like it – this is how the Motoportler advertise. And the Vareler crew from the North Sea is also very keen to ensure customer satisfaction. A problem reported by email was answered perfectly and quickly.

Shipment:
The delivery arrived after three days – good average. A bit strange, but pleasant: The cash on delivery fee of four euros that was actually incurred was simply not charged.

CONCLUSION:
The wind is blowing in e-commerce, but the Motoport crew has set sail well. The North Germans score with impeccable customer service, a presentable variety of goods and the well thought-out online shop.

MOTORRAD verdict: very good
Top shop

Motorcycle corner


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www.motorradbekleidung.de

TEST PURCHASE
Ordered items: Back protector, kidney belt, gloves, spare visor, leather balm
Value of goods: 173.70 euros
Shipping: Free delivery plus EUR 4.00 cash on delivery fee
Delivery time: 6 days

Buying atmosphere:
The webshop “at the corner” appeals due to its clear structure, quickly comprehensible information, good image quality and display of the availability of goods. The shopping cart with all information about shopping is easy to see, but is updated with a significant time delay. The shopping mask also impresses with its transparent display. The bargain density is high, but requires a persistent search.

Payment modalities:
Many payment options, only delivery on account is not possible. Some of the data is transmitted unencrypted, and there were connection problems with encrypted transmission during the test purchase.

Customer Service:
The dispatch information via email could be formulated more professionally (“Your order is in the shipping process”). Further inquiries were processed slowly or not at all.

Shipment:
Usually costs 3.95 euros. However, certain items are free of postage. So the overall package costs nothing. The delivery takes time.

CONCLUSION:
The motorcycle corner can shine with an assortment filled with well-known brands that is accurately presented. Page structure, delivery time and information, on the other hand, are only slowly gaining momentum. A surfing tip for discount hunters!

MOTORRAD verdict: Satisfactory

polo


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www.polo-motorrad.de

TEST PURCHASE
Ordered items: Textile jacket, pinlock visor, gloves, back protector, leather grease
Value of goods: 162.30 euros
Shipping: 3.95 euros plus 3.60 euros cash on delivery fee
Delivery time: 2 days

Buying atmosphere:
Polo’s online shop shines with an immense selection and many special offers. Very good: clearly structured information on the products, information on the availability of goods, clear shopping mask. Shortcomings: Large views cannot be freely zoomed, category filters are not sorted in a practical manner and all-round views are not available.

Payment modalities:
Commendable: purchasing by invoice. Cash on delivery, direct debit, credit card or Pay-Pal also work. All data is transmitted in encrypted form.

Customer Service:
In contrast to the cost-intensive order hotline (14 ct / min.), Service and technical hotlines can be reached via regular landline numbers. Service requests by email were answered within two hours. Exemplary: The tracking number for tracking the parcel and a prepaid return slip for the return is included.

Shipment:
Delivery within two days, a second test purchase via invoice is even available within 24 hours. Shipping costs are always incurred, but are cheap at 3.95 euros.

CONCLUSION:
Anyone who knows catalogs and real shops will also find themselves in the virtual shop of polo feel good. Nevertheless, there is still potential for expansion in the product presentation. When it comes to shipping speed, Polo is on par with Hayabusa.

MOTORRAD verdict: very good
TOP shop

Spidi


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www.spidi-fashion.de

TEST PURCHASE
Ordered items: Gloves, socks, multi-scarf, short boots, protectors
Value of goods: 168.50 euros
Shipping: 11 euros
Delivery time: 2 days (only partial delivery), subsequent delivery longer than 14 days

Buying atmosphere:
According to its own information, Germany’s largest selection of Spidi articles. So the right address for fans, especially since the offer (including its own special offer area) is clearly structured. The navigation is, however, sometimes bumpy, and unfortunately there is a lack of important information and online help, for example when choosing the size.

Payment modalities:
Paypal, prepayment and cash on delivery are okay, but the options are rather limited.

Customer Service:
You quickly notice that passionate people are at work here. Technical questions were answered very quickly, individually and very competently. And not in the handling style, but with a personal touch. Even when processing the order, the feeling arose that the nice seller had personally stood in front of you. Very sympathic.

Shipment:
Shipping and cash on delivery are quite expensive (seven euros each), even if there is a discount for goods worth 100 euros or more. A partial delivery came after two days, but the missing items were a long time coming.

CONCLUSION:
Mistakes like links running nowhere, longer delivery times and a lack of data security – typical Italian lifestyle? Still a nice store, because passion and joie de vivre in customer service iron out some of the shortcomings.

MOTORRAD verdict: Satisfactory

Wendish


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www.wendisch-ps.de

TEST PURCHASE
Ordered items: Gloves, scarf, cross helmet, functional shirt, rain suit
Value of goods: 198.80 euros
Shipping: Free delivery, 4 Euro cash on delivery fee
Delivery time: 5 days

Buying atmosphere:
Despite the clear shop structure, there is a lack of a properly sorted list of categories. The information is extensive, the quality and size of the product images, on the other hand, are poor, and there are no specific statements about availability. Plus point: the clearly visible shopping cart with a list of items and the clearly structured shopping mask. There are no bargains, but there is an automatic discount of three percent on the purchase price.

Payment modalities:
No purchase on account possible. Payment is made by credit card, direct debit, prepayment or cash on delivery. Big drawback: All data is transmitted unsecured.

Customer Service:
Contact can be made by e-mail and telephone, inquiries are answered comprehensively and quickly. All important information about shopping is well summarized and can be found quickly on the website, the delivery status can be called up via the customer account.

Shipment:
Long delivery time, but not a cent from 150 euros.

CONCLUSION:
It’s worth stopping by. Especially when you set a 3% discount on expensive branded goods. Free delivery from 150 euros is also a nice treat. In terms of presentation, speed and variety, you play in the second league.

MOTORRAD verdict: Satisfactory

CONCLUSION


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Conclusion in points.

Louis wins the battle of the giants by a narrow margin over Polo. Both are at an extremely high level, although polo can still improve on the shopping experience. When it comes to customer service, both make a competent impression, whereas Hein Gericke, a major player in the industry, falls sharply. An update in the service is desirable here. So the surprise success remains for the Motoport team, which also convinces with a very good performance. The small shops iron out deficiencies in online operations through very personal customer contact.

Other providers

Fans of the Italian cult label Alpinestars guaranteed not to avoid visiting the company’s own web shop (www.alpinestars.com). Too bad that all prices are given in dollars and the purchase is subject to currency fluctuations. Another negative point: Since the goods are being sent from the USA, the shipping fees are correspondingly high.

Also at Dainese a factory purchase is possible at www.dainese.de. In contrast to Alpinestars all prices are given in euros and shipping costs are manageable. Small catch: registration is required before shopping, information on this will be sent in Italian. Then at the latest you have the feeling of buying a pig in a poke.

Anyone who buys online and hopes for a bargain will of course be quick to buy Ebay land. But more than ever, a critical consumer eye is required here. Especially when exclusive brands are offered particularly cheaply, you should ask yourself whether the origin of the goods is actually clean. The exchange and return conditions should also be clearly regulated.

MOTORCYCLE test criteria

  • Buying atmosphere: The testers rated the structure of the web shops under this point. How do you find your way around the virtual shop, do you locate exactly what you are looking for? Then: How are the products presented? Are there important information such as material and size specifications, are specific statements made about the intended use? Are there meaningful photos in good quality, possibly even detailed shots, zoomable large or all-round views? Are concrete statements made about the availability of goods? Finally: the shopping mask is clearly structured?
  • Payment modalities: Still a sensitive topic: paying on the Internet. It was assessed how the shops deal with it. Which payment options (credit cards, PayPal, direct debit, cash on delivery) are offered in principle? A special service for customers is the purchase on account, which was therefore rewarded with extra points. There were deductions for unencrypted data transmission.
  • Customer service: In the test grid there is the dialogue between shop and customer. Is shipping information sent and how quickly and competently inquiries are answered? And: How do you deal with complaints and returns??
  • shipment: You have mail … Scoring for fast, inexpensive and complete delivery.


Test: Online shops for motorcycle clothing and motorcycle accessories


mps photo studio

Anyone who buys on the Internet can invoke various consumer protection rights. MOTORRAD lawyer Ingo Becker (www.rechtsanwaltkanzlei-becker.de) reveals where the small print lurks in the contract.

  • It is crucial that the buyer has a right of cancellation and return (§ 312 BGB): The purchase can be canceled within 14 days. In the case of an Ebay auction, the period is one month, since the buyer can only be informed of his right of withdrawal after the contract has been concluded. If the seller has not informed about this right, the right of withdrawal does not expire. Theoretically, you can still revoke the purchase contract after a year.
  • The seller must repay the purchase price to the buyer within 30 days of receipt of the declaration of cancellation or return. In return, the buyer must return the goods within 30 days of the declaration of cancellation.
  • It is good if the goods can be sent back free of charge with the enclosed return parcel label. Otherwise you should make sure that the shipping is insured and that it can be proven that what does not work with a postal parcel, for example.
  • When returning so-called “low value goods” (Purchase price less than 40 euros) the seller can charge the buyer with the return costs. But: If, for example, a right of return is granted instead of the right of withdrawal, the return costs must not be passed on to the buyer and must be reimbursed by the seller.


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Take care so that you get everything.

One quick click and you’re trapped? It doesn’t have to be. Serious providers pay attention to secure data transfer and transparency for the customer.

  • security: When shopping online, sensitive data such as credit card numbers or bank details are transmitted. Therefore: it is essential to ensure that the information is transmitted in encrypted form. An important indicator for secure data transfer: The address line begins with “https”.
  • Pay: If you want to be on the safe side, buy on account. Advantage: If you make use of your right of return, you don’t have to worry about reimbursing the purchase price. But only a few shops offer this option. If you pay cash on delivery, you have to calculate a transfer fee of two euros in addition to the fee for the internet shop, which is charged by the post office. When entering the order, all additional costs should be listed precisely. Also check the email confirmation of your order carefully.
  • Customer rights: Read the General Terms and Conditions (GTC), which clearly state which return conditions apply. The costs for shipping should also be itemized in detail. Tip: The terms and conditions can be conveniently downloaded or printed out in many shops. You should definitely use this function before shopping.

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