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Online Shopping: How to become a responsible consumer

Alyssa Cay-an
Sep 28, 2020
3 min read

DE TROP. Click! Click! Click! Don’t forget to click off from unneeded monthly sales and purchases. Unbalanced and uneasy spending will tip off our monthly wages. © Santos

Online shopping has taken over the world. As the pandemic continues to worsen, the government has imposed a lockdown on the entire country which restricted malls from operating. Filipinos have been forced to remain in their respective homes to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. However, with the rise of 21st century development, the internet has become a place wherein anything is possible with just a few clicks.

Online shopping continues to grow economically despite the drastic impact of the pandemic on the country’s overall economy. Over 76 million out of 107.3 million Filipinos are active internet users, and among these users, 70% are online consumers. In addition, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) noted that online shopping helps sustain economic activities and drives growth in the country.

However, despite its numerous benefits to the country’s economy, online shopping poses many dangers to those who partake in it. One click on the internet can either make life easier for the user, or put the user at great risk. It is with this reason that we must be responsible online consumers to avoid being vulnerable to these risks.

How can I become a responsible online consumer?

DO NOT

1. Share all your personal information

Creating a new account for an online platform usually requires personal information. It is advisable to provide only the information needed to create the account. Do not share other personal details unless it is absolutely necessary.

2. Be afraid to inquire

Although this is optional, it is highly encouraged to directly message the seller. This is done to ensure the authenticity and security of your product. Contacting the seller can also act as evidence when buying products from a potential bogus seller.

3. Purchase products with deals that seem too good to be true

If a product or sale seems too good to be true, do not purchase it. These deals are often created by sellers to catch your attention so that you will buy their products. Likewise, look for red flags such as lack of details, poor quality photos, and unresponsive sellers when considering purchasing a product.

DO

1. Trust familiar platforms

Familiarity with the platform of shopping is crucial when consuming products online. A reliable online shop must have numerous reviews and high ratings. Shopee is a good example of a reliable platform because it has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars based on reviews from 1 million users, and it has over 10 million downloads from the Google Play Store. In addition, it allows its users to give feedback on products being sold in the app.

2. Read all important details about the product of interest

It is vital to read every single detail about the product you are interested in before purchasing it. Research about the product if you can. Always read the description of the product to ensure its quality.

3. Carefully examine all customer reviews

The customer reviews of the product are the most useful and valuable information to consider when deciding on buying a product online. Before purchasing the product you are interested in, take note of comments from previous buyers. Likewise, check for pictures of the product in the reviews as a reference in buying your desired product.

4. Choose the best mode of payment

Take note that credit cards offer more protection than debit cards because they are not linked to your savings. You may also use suggested online payment services such as PayPal and GCash. If none of these options are easily accessible to you, you may use cash-on-delivery as an alternative.

5. Leave a review

After receiving your product, be kind towards other consumers by leaving a review for the product. Reviews play a big role in online shopping because it gives the users an idea of the product and services offered. One small act of kindness can greatly impact the choices of other consumers.