WEBSOURCE, already big in Miami, United States before penetrating Caribbean markets recently, has now joined the chain of online shopping competitors in Guyana.
With demand locally, regionally and internationally for easier means to shop, Chief Executive Officer of Websource Caribbean Operations Lincoln Maharaj told the Guyana Chronicle that the company has had a presence in this country since early January.

In an interview on Tuesday, he described the entrance to the local market as discovering new grounds and feasibility studies done here have been able to prove that this is a place to invest.
He was confident that Websource would be able to make a name for itself, as it sees Guyana as an active market for people who wish to make online purchases.
Maharaj pointed out that since its entry, the company already has in excess of 300 customers, who, regularly do business with it.
Still room
While stating that Guyana offers a number of online servicing facilities, he is of the view that there is still room for more players who will foster greater competition among the service providers.
Websource believes that it brings the business of online shopping to another level with value-added included in the package.
Customers who sign up will have personal accounts which would allow them to use the online facility and have merchandise delivered to a Websource warehouse in Miami.
Once ordered, the items will be sent to the Miami address and the goods will then be examined by the Websource agents there, who would determine if they are safe to be placed on commercial flights to the country where the buyer wishes to have delivery.
In that country, the stuff will be cleared by Customs and the relevant paper works will be done before the items are either picked up by or delivered to the purchaser.
Maharaj said one of the reasons persons should consider Websource is because of the unmatched services it offers.
He explained that Websource does not bill its customers due to volumetric but rather the actual weight of an item. This is what the purchaser is asked to pay for and not the size or weight of the box or whatever package in which the items are placed.
In addition, there is no charge for becoming a Websource member and having an account compared to several other companies which charge for the development and holding of a ‘Star Box’ account.
Price matching
He pointed out that what Websource also does for its customers is price matching. If a customer sources an item and submits the name of the site, cost and such like to the company’s agent, it then goes on a hunting mission to see where else the thing can be sourced cheaper and allow the customer to save.
This, however, is not done in a vacuum because the company informs the customer of this and it is done only upon the approval of the purchaser, which, in most cases, according to management, receives a positive response from the customers with respect to sourcing.
Presently, the company is looking to enter the Barbados Market and several other Caribbean countries. Prior to setting up office in Guyana, Websource conducted feasibility studies and established offices in Antigua, St. Lucia and Grenada.
It is also considering the establishment in Dominica.
Websource Guyana’s office is on Camp Street, Georgetown, aback the building that once housed Nanda’s Boutique and can be reached on telephone number 223- 3216 and 231-1338.
By Leroy Smith