How to Shop Safely and Securely Online

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Shopping is every woman's feel-good exercise. We feel better after making a payment. It makes us feel powerful, having full control of our wallets. We have this feeling of satisfaction that only buying can give us. Our purchasing power is greater than our self-restraints at times to the chagrin of our husbands. Whether we purchase things in the mall, in a department store, in an ukay-ukay, or in a flea market, we are doing it in way to satisfy one of our basic feminine needs, that is, to be relieved of stress.

At this modern era of heightened dependence on information technology, even shopping is done online. With the convenience of cashless transactions, cellular phones, and Internet-based stores, shopping can be done at the convenience of one's home.

Getting Hooked and Getting Disappointed

I was at first adamant about buying things from a total stranger lest from a virtual store. But upon receiving my first ever eBay purchase in 2010, all my fears evaporated. It was nice to know that the seller thought that it was a "fast & hassle-free transaction for first-time eBayer". Aside from eBay, I tried Human Heart Nature, Metrodeal, CashCash Pinoy, and Lazada. If it was not "hassle-free", it was a "easy, fast, painless transaction." I got hooked and it feels nice in a way. The feeling of being trusted and trusting in return has a good effect to my purchasing power.

So far I have purchased a tool set for hubby, various hair and skin products, a kid's play tent, cellphones, curtains, a power hose, a shoe rack, and a personal Shake and Take smoothie make. I also bought vouchers online for shows and special events for my kids.

It was good until this latest purchase. I bought an underbed shoe storage which, upon delivery, was discovered to be slightly damaged. The delivery boy left the package to the guard of my daughter's dorm contrary to the agreement that it will only be handed to her and not to anybody else since she is required to present an identification and a copy of the voucher. So when she discovered that the zipper is damaged, she have no chance to report it to the delivery boy. To return the item is not a practical option since it would be more expensive to pay for the freight. She opted to keep the item and live with its damaged zipper. I vowed never to buy from that online store ever again.

Tips for a Safe and Secure Online Shopping

So how can we avoid a similar incident in the future? Before you buy anything online, take note of these:

1. Never buy from an online store that do not publish their physical address or even their contact information. 

Who wants to communicate with one-named persons via email who has the habit of apologizing first why their response was delayed for 2 weeks? Where would you return the item in case it is defective? First and foremost, ensure that the identity of the online store is known, as well as its location and contact details like email and phone number.

2. Buy only from refutable sellers.

Don't hesitate to check the reputation of a seller. What do other buyers say about the seller? You can do this in eBay where the customers' feedback on the sellers are published. Personally, I don't want to buy from a seller who's reputation is below 99% positive. I also look for signs like how he responds to negative comments. If he appears rude, it's a no no. I cannot do the same with the other stores so I rely mostly on online reviews and prior experience. If you were disappointed once, don't let them give you a second serving of heartbreaks.

3. Check the fine prints. 

Look for the FAQ or similar page and pay attention to "delivery fee", "billing", "mode of payment", "guarantee", "warranty for defects", "additional charges", "cancellation of orders", "refund", "return policy", etc. Be familiar with these things. You might be surprised when you find out that you cannot return a paid item even if it arrived at your door in a damaged state.

4. Do not pay at once if you have the option to pay COD. 

Paying cash on delivery gives you the option not to pay for the item in case it is damaged. It gives you the opportunity to inspect the item, check for missing parts, and test whether it is functioning. Paying by COD also forces the delivery personnel not to leave the item to the guard or to your neighbor in case you are not at home at the time he arrives.

5. As much as possible, do not pay via Globe Gcash, SmartMoney, Western Union, credit cards, and the like. 

Better safe than sorry. I am lucky not to have been victimized by scammers but warnings are not wanting about people sending payments via the above mentioned methods and never receiving their bought items. So beware. Choose payments via bank deposit which is more secured since you have a legitimate bank account name and account number to start with. If the seller does not allow bank payment as an option to pay, better doubt and stop transacting with him. If not through bank, I pay via secure payment websites like PayPal. I pay via PayPal when I am confident that the store I am purchasing from is reliable. Be cautious also in providing your personal details. Check that you are using https and not just http. Beware also of credit card scams.

6. Keep a printed copy of your order's acknowledgment email or voucher ready. 

One time, I ordered a pink tablet of a particular brand from this tried and tested online store, COD. I was surprised when a white tablet of another brand was delivered. I did not accept it. I told the courier to return it to the store because it was not the item that I ordered. I showed him a copy of the acknowledgment email I received from the store which specified the item, color, and model of the tablet. Without the printed proof, I could have paid for the item which I did not want in the first place. If you don't have a printed copy, be ready with a screenshot of the transaction confirmation as proof.

7. Be suspicious of special discounts and promotions.

Ask yourself, "What could be the reason why the item is being sold at a cheaper price?" Is it damaged? Is it outdated? Is it an old model? Is it second hand or pre-owned or pre-loved? The reason must be clear to you. Do not buy right away if you are not given a satisfactory answer to this simple question. 

On the other hand, asking "Why is this so cheap?" fast-tracked one of my transactions. When I bought the power tools for hubby, I was attracted by its cheap price. I called the seller and asked why the price is way below the market price. She said that it was a gift they received almost 5 years ago and has been sitting in their garage in its unopened box. Since her husband is not the kind who works with tools and gets his hands dirtied, he never got the interest to use the power tools. Instead of giving it away, why not sell? Oh, okay. I did not hesitate to deposit the payment. My gut feel tells me that the person I am talking with is sincere and an honest person. It turned out her office/clinic is within our neighborhood. When I picked up the item, I learned that the tools were from the States. Of course, I inspected the box and true, it was unopened and unused. What a gem of an online find! So don't be embarrassed to ask a question.

8. Keep your line of communication open.

Let the seller know of the fastest way to contact you and vice versa. Let him know that you appreciate that he tells you in advance of any possible glitch in the delivery. Similarly, inform the seller of any observed delays but do it in a respectful manner. Avoid being nasty. Once the package arrives, check the item at once, contact the seller and inform him of any concerns. If none, don't forget to thank him for the prompt delivery of the order. You can do this via SMS, email, or by voice call. It is important to be nice so you will be valued as a customer also. Don't forget to leave a positive comment and you will be leaving a positive impression also.


These are just some of the most important things I learned so far as an online shopper. I hope these simple tips can make online buying a pleasant, painless experience for you.