Your Daily Live News: Lifestyle And International News

NEW DELHI: A Pune-based man who ordered iPhones from Snapdeal got a rude shock when he opened the package. Instead of Apple's shiny new smartphones, the box had pieces of wood inside. Darshan Kabra, a resident of Aundh, Pune, had ordered two iPhone 4S units from the online marketplace on December 7. His order number 3862653450 was delivered on December 11 at his home. In his excitement to get his hands on his new iPhones, Kabra opened the package even before the delivery person left the premises. To his shock and anguish, the package contained wooden sticks instead of iPhones. Fortunately for Kabra, he had chosen the 'Cash on Delivery' option while ordering the two iPhones, which were collectively worth Rs 40,508. He refused to hand over the money to the Snapdeal delivery person, thus saving himself the wait of getting the sum refunded. Below is an image of the undertaking that the delivery person signed: Speaking with TOI Tech, Kabra said, "...

NEW DELHI: It seems Snapdeal is finding it tough to sort its delivery issues. Less than a month after TOI Tech reported about Snapdeal messing up an iPhone delivery order in Pune, the company has done it again. New Delhi-based Gautam Sachdeva ordered a LG G2 smartphone from the online marketplace on December 24, 2013 to give it as a New Year gift to his father. However, Snapdeal spoiled his plans by delivering a "second-hand cell phone from some random seller." Says Sachdeva, "In my case, the product sent was not even checked by Snapdeal and they claim that all products sent are 100% genuine and verified." Having gone for 'Cash on Delivery' option for the order, Sachdeva claims he took the money back from the delivery person as soon as he opened the box and found that he has not received the phone he had ordered. This, he says, saved him from the hassles of getting a refund.   A Snapdeal customer service executive, in an ema...

Ladies, real men do exist – and not those poor excuses you’re used to dating either. There are fully grown-ass men in this world and they would love to be with you. The truth is that you don’t have to settle for whatever boy comes your way. In fact, you shouldn’t settle; you’re doing yourself a real injustice. If you’re going to be with a man then be with a grown-ass man. Simply put, they’re better for you. They’re more fun. They’re more reliable. And they’re better in bed. There really is no reason to date the schmucks you’ve been dating. Although, to be fair, it can be hard to tell the difference – especially at first glance. But with time, it’s easy to separate the men from the boys. In case you need a little extra help, here’s a checklist for you: 1. His apartment looks like an apartment. Not a frat house. Not a zoo. Not a garbage dump, but an actual apartment. He doesn’t necessarily have to have his own place. Nor does it need to be extravagantly furnished, but you s...

BENGALURU: Indian online shoppers would ideally like to push the button on their purchase and hear the doorbell chime immediately after, announcing delivery. That's not going to happen anytime soon but e-tailers, led by Flipkart, are trying to get as close as they can. The country's largest online retailer is figuring out how it can get goods to the customer's doorstep in as little as three hours.  Bengaluru-based Flipkart is evaluating which products and cities it can start with even as it considers pricing for the service, which ET learns could be rolled out in the coming six months.  "We have to figure out the technology, pricing for these services," said Sujeet Kumar, head of WS Retail and ekart Logistics. "Such deliveries are necessity driven —say a thing a customer wants to gift or something he needs immediately ."   Kumar, who joined Flipkart in 2008, declined to put a date on when the logistics arm, ekart, could start ...

MUMBAI: Smile Group, one of the earliest Indian firms to foray into e-commerce, is restructuring its businesses in a bid to make a comeback in the sector in 2015. The owners of flash sales site FashionandYou plans to change the business model of its group buying site DealsandYou as part of the restructuring exercise. It has also shuttered its online footwear store BeStylish.  "The unit economics for the group buying model doesn't make sense in this market. We've shrunk that business and will announce a pivot in a month," said Harish Bahl who founded Smile in 1999.  The group's e-commerce revival bid will be largely driven by FashionandYou, with support from its lifestyle brand Freecultr and online fashion jewellery shop Juvalia & You. The three currently account for combined gross merchandise value (GMV) — or total sales value of products sold on the portals — of about $80 million, or approx Rs 510 crore.  B...

The new year is just a few hours away and that couch in front of your TV is the last place you want to be seen welcoming 2015. Get up and get ready to party... in style. If you are still waiting for an invite to that private party you friend is hosting (and, be honest, don't see it coming at least this year), don't sulk. Read on and take your pick from the most happening places in your city this new year's eve. DELHI Venue:   Parikrama, The Revolving Restaurant The deal: It's by far the highest place in the capital to party on December 31: On the 25th floor of the revolving restaurant in Lutyen's Delhi. DJ K Kaber will give you company while you relish the unlimited beverages and snacks. Pricing: Rs 4,500 for a couple;  Rs.  2,000 for single woman (all inclusive) . Venue:   The Townhouse Café The deal: If Bollywood music is what makes you get off that couch, this is the place you should head to. And in between tho...