Online Shopping Etiquette: For the Customer

Online Shopping Etiquette for Buyers

As an online shopper for four years, and an online merchant for cosplay wigs, accessories and contact lenses (and a re-seller of Hatah Hatah hats) for almost a year now, I have seen the boom of the e-commerce community – and also the boom of a lot of scammers on both sides.

So you're a new online shopper and you've got your pretty eye on an item? So how do you go about the transaction?

As an online shopper, one has to know that online shops function almost like the shops we go to at malls and such except transactions are done online and there are waiting times such as processing and delivery.

  

1. Read the Terms and Conditions. One of the biggest faults an online buyer forgets is to read the terms and conditions of the shop. Online shops are also run by people, often by students, housewives or small time professionals looking for an extra source of income and often are comprised of one person. For their benefit, they write their terms and conditions on notes provided by their sites, for example Facebook, you can find most Terms and Conditions in their Notes or Albums. 



An example of a Terms and Conditions page

2. 2. Like Pages have Order Form Apps. With shops slowly drifting to the convenience of like pages (because they do not have friend limits or photo limits) they now come with form applications to, not only make transactions easier, but also to keep a steady and passive record of those who have "finalized" their orders. This is also a reason why us shop keepers can keep track of our clients especially bogus buyers.

   

   An example of the navigation buttons with the Order Form apps of a shop's Like Page

   

   How an Order Form looks like

3. Be courteous and patient. Some of us online shop keepers have our own jobs outside for the computer, for me I am also working as a journalist and a writer, so it may take us sometime to answer to your queries. Also be courteous as we also have feelings too and often conversations online can be mistaken especially when one is writing in CAPS.
4. Follow their instructions. Meet up points and dates are always set up by seller for the convenience of their buyers and themselves and are often set in public areas like SM. A good seller doesn't set up meet up points at night (where on is susceptible to trouble such as hold-ups and kidnapping) or at unfamiliar places for them. Take note that sellers are not super heroes and doesn't memorize every location in your area so please do not insist them to visit your area especially if you live far away.
5. Be sure with your transactions. What we hate the most are joy reservers and bogus buyers. This also takes a toll on the shop as it chases away potential buyers or delays a batch.
6. If in doubt always ask around. As a buyer, one cannot fathom the doubt lingering over a shop's legitimacy. It's best to ask around if you are in doubt of the proof albums.

If I missed out anything, please list down your suggestions and comments at the comment box! :)