8 tips when shopping with blogshop sellers

I know, many of us love to shop online, especially participating in sprees and buying from blogshop sellers with products that are either at rock-bottom rates or products that are not available for sale in Singapore.

But there are risks involved. Due to the nature, blogshops are easy to set up, anyone can start selling anything online. At the same time, this gives a lot more room to unethical sellers who close their blogs immediately after receiving payments and simply refuse to answer to any emails, SMS or calls.

Despite knowing that there are black sheeps around, many of us are still unable to resist the attractive items offered online. So how can we shop smart? Read on.

1. Buy from Domain sites – As much as possible, buy from sites that ends with a .com. These sites are usually registered and paid, personal details and credit card details are also kept with the domain hosting sites.
2. Check Feedbacks – Feedbacks are the first stop. The amount of feedbacks they have say most about their business and helps in evaluating. I do know that there are dishonest sellers faking comments and tags just to have a sale or two. Follow SafeBlogShopper.com and we shall see if we can deal with them later.
3. Read About Page, Terms and Condition, Privacy Policy – Most reputable websites have the mentioned pages. When payment is involve, always take the extra caution in reading them.
4. Read Archieves – If a blogshop is filled with many pictures with pre-orders and the history of operating is not long, you do have to be careful and pay extra attention to it. Find out from other forums or SafeBlogShopper.com if anyone has any dealings with this blogshop.
5. Ask Questions about Products and Services – Do not be tempt by their slash prices. Instead, ask as many questions as you can before making the buying decision. Remember, use emails! Emails allow you to keep a record of the intented business transaction.
6. Keep Transaction Details – Other than emails, keep your SMSes as well. If you have made a payment, record down the transaction reference number and the bank account number until you have decided to close the deal.
7. Request for Confirmation – Most bank transfers never go wrong. Request for confirmation about receiving payment and check that they have your mailing address correct. Be sure to ask seller to write down their return address on the envelope. Again, use email or SMS to keep a record.
8. Stay Alert – While waiting for your items to arrive, monitor the activities within the blogshop closely. If sellers did not reply you on any emails, but is active within their blogs, something must be very wrong. For benefit of doubts, leave them comments and feedbacks if they only check their blogs. Even if they close a blog, you are able to response in a quicker way.

We hope that online shopping can be better with lesser scams around. We will be coming up with more tips soon. If you have any tips to share, do leave a comment or drop us an email.

May all the black sheeps be gone. *pray*