Five tips for safer online shopping

CEBU, Philippines - Online shopping is all the rage these days.

The convenience of being able to buy the latest items and getting the best deals over the internet has attracted many Filipinos and Cebuanos to prefer buying online.

When Von, 22, decided to purchase an iPad on the popular online marketplace eBay.ph, he was confident that he made the right decision. Being able to purchase a 32G iPad2 with 3G for P13,000 was a steal; little did he know he was the one being rigged.

After hearing Von's dilemma, Negros Oriental Representative Josy Limkaichong immediately sent him to Silliman University's Dr. Jovito R. Salonga Center for Law and Development. By virtue of a Memorandum of Agreement, the center provides pro bono services to clients referred by the office of Rep. Limkaichong.

Von is not the only person who has gone through this kind of ordeal. The popularity of online shopping has also given rise to an increasing number of online crimes and scams, according to Rep. Limkaichong.

Salonga Center Director Atty. Myrish C. Antonio said that there are remedies that a victim of an online scam could take advantage of, although the experience would be stressful, tedious, and long.

To make sure that buyers would not experience what Von went through, Antonio recommends the following:

1. Caveat emptor. Antonio said that those who wish to purchase goods online should understand and realize that they are doing so at their own risk. As such, precautions should be made to ensure that they would not be cheated of their money. The absence of strong consumer protection clauses in online marketplaces like eBay.ph decreases the certainty for the buyer getting the item that he paid for. That is why it is always wise to put in mind the Latin principle, caveat emptor.

2. Buy from reliable sites. Antonio, who herself is a professed online shopper, said that buyers should choose to purchase from company-owned sites over online marketplaces, especially for expensive items. However, one of the reasons for online purchases is the bargain that one could take advantage of and for this, Antonio recommends that extra precautions be taken. Such precautions may include partial payments before and after the delivery of the item and by securing documents that would prove the legitimacy of the transaction.

3. Prefer US-based companies. According to Antonio, US-based sites offer better consumer protection as compared to affiliates or sites based in the Philippines. "So many sites are deceitful, especially for branded items," she said. Antonio added that regardless of the site, buyers must also research on the seller, not merely by checking on the comments or feedbacks of so-called satisfied customers, which can be fabricated, but also by contacting these customers and clients or by asking the seller copies of previous successful transactions. She also recommends for the buyer to get the real name and address of the seller, for the seller to show a proof of ownership of the item being sold, or a certificate of authenticity for premium items, and a receipt for the item bought.

4. Go for bank transaction. As compared to money transfer, banks take extra precautions to ensure that the information of the account holder is true. Money transfers or mobile payments (i.e. GCash) can be done using manufactured accounts since identification cards can easily be falsified. Antonio, however, admitted that even bank transactions should have limitations to avoid the hassle of going through lawsuits. She said that bank transactions would be fine if the amount ranges from P5,000 or less or after due diligence of the seller is proven, but for larger amounts, she recommend meet-ups.

5. Document the transaction. Make sure that your transaction is well documented. Prefer to use the online marketplace's messaging option or transact through email. Although mobile messaging may be acceptable, Antonio said that retrieving the messages may be difficult. She said that aside from being prone to accidental erasures, the mobile service provider would usually keep the messages in their system only for a certain period of time, after which it would be deleted. In addition, requesting for a transcription of the messages would take more time. "Emails are easier and you can print them out whenever you need them," she said.

Online purchases can be very convenient, but with this convenience comes the risk of being cheated of your hard earned money. With proper precautions, however, you would still be able to have a great and hassle-free shopping experience online. Just remember, caveat emptor. Be safe.

Visit the author's blog, Tribo's Cup, at http://tribong-upos.xanga.com, or follow him on twitter at @tribong_upos. (FREEMAN)