Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jillbean1217]

So, I'm trying to buy an elliptical machine off of G-market. I've found a few that I'm interested, but unfortunately, I can't read the reviews.

1. http://global.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_goods/goods.asp?goodscode=153256470&pos_shop_cd=GE&pos_class_cd=300004039&pos_class_kind=S

2. http://global.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_goods/goods.asp?goodscode=127691309&pos_shop_cd=GE&pos_class_cd=300004039&pos_class_kind=S

3. http://global.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_goods/goods.asp?goodscode=127690626&pos_shop_cd=GE&pos_class_cd=300004039&pos_class_kind=S

I'm particularly interested in number 3, but there are a ton of reviews that I can't read. Is there anyone who would be willing to read over them for me and let me know if there is anything that sticks out as a red flag?

Also, for anyone who's used gmarket before for larger items, how does the delivery system work? It says free delivery on local purchases, but I have no idea what "local" means. If I'm not "local" does anyone know how much they would charge me? I'm located in Daegu, if that helps.

Finally, how does the payment work? Can I use my bankcard as a debit card, or my visa from home?

Sorry for the questions...I should really work on learning Korean. And, suggesting I get a gym membership is not helpful...I have enough people staring at me everyday, I am not PAYING to be the local fat waygook at the gym that everyone can eyeball.

Thanks again
J

[JJJ]

Can't help you with the translation but you need to first join GMarket. You will have to sign up, get a username, password, type your address (in Korean) in the proper spaces. U will need a Korean credit card. I'm pretty sure they don't use a Korean debit card and for sure, not a foreign credit card. You will also need a phone because (and this is new) after you go through all hoops and send in your card number, they will ask for your phone number to send u a 4 digit code (takes a min. or two) that u must enter in order to complete your purchase.

Try to find a Korean who has a membership there or at Auction.co.kr and get them to order it and pay them right away. Might be easier for u.

Good luck.

Oh yeah, and local means either Seoul or Korea.

[I_Am_The_Kiwi]

[crazy_arcade]

First the reviews of #3 are good. I didn't check out the other two.
Most of the people say that they really like it and that it's well suited for exercising at home. One person seems to be annoyed at the delivery people. Another person says the machine is very quiet....but one person says it isn't. This person also says there is a problem with the paint...and is complaining about it being made in China.

As for Gmarket. I pretty much do all my shopping there. It's super easy to sign up and things arrive really quick. People who don't have a clue need to stop spread misinformation. You can pay using a foreign credit card, Korean cheque card, atm bank transfer, paypal, and even via cellphone.

[JJJ]

My apologies. Wow, I did it the first time with a co-teacher and they said the computer would not accept an overseas Vias or M/C. Jeez, sorry, no need to get bent out of shape. This was a year ago. I have a K-credit card and order all the time now. Just got a humidifier on Monday.

Anyways, there is no "mis"information, just my information that I had when I went through the joining process. Cheers.

[Snowflake]

I joined in English, English address etc and everything arrived no problem. I pretty much bought my whole apartment from gmarket!
Delivery is very quick but be aware that you will pay delivery charges to the driver (in cash) and you're not told the amount until it turns up. I bought a sofa and had a 30,000 delivery charge, next day my huge TV/sideboard thing turned up and cost 2,000 for delivery....so just have lots of cash ready.

If you miss delivery though and they leave it outside (which happened a few times for me) the driver will text their bank details for you to transfer the charge.

[Smee]

Do they accept bank transfers from KEB accounts? Interpark accepts from every other bank but KEB.

[Snowflake]

I think so - you enter bank name and they give you your own account to deposit into - if that makes sense! So you can use any bank to transfer.

[icicle]

I have used just about all the possible payment methods on gmarket (using the English language side) ... They will accept everything from transfers from Korean Domestic Accounts, payal, Foreign Credit Cards (if you register them - which isn't too hard to do), Korean Credit Cards and in some cases at least payment on delivery. And depending on the items / seller a lot of the time I have not had to pay anything for delivery and where I have it was paid for with the original purchase (and you knew upfront what you were up for). If you register on the English language site then you don't need to put in your address in hangul - rather in English. I was very suprised at how easy it all really was

[sojourner1]

Yes, I too was surprised at how easy it really is though some things you will never understand even if you were Korean. I haven't had any problems with delivery or getting ripped off; just a few annoying glitches in the site.

The only help I really needed was being recommended to try it and then entering the school address in Hangul. If in a smaller town, you'll definitely want the school address in Hangul as you're asking too much for a delivery guy to translate ABC's into an address he knows in Hangul. In the larger towns, some delivery guys and Korean Post mailmen do know their ABC's such as in Changwon and Seoul and can delivery as you might already know. You can't mail a letter or package to me out in rural Gangwondo with an ABC's Romanized address; it just doesn't work.

Happy shopping on Gmarket as it opens up a great deal more options to you than you'd normally have in a single store or even an entire province.

[icicle]

One important thing to do when ordering anything online in Korea is to include a phone number (where the person can explain the delivery location in Korean) ... Often not easy to find delivery address due to Korean System