3 online shopping reminders from a shopper-turned-businesswoman

From being a regular online shopper herself, Via Dominico is now the co-founder of M-Commerce Corporation, an e-commerce mover company powered by over 300 members who help local and international brands navigate the world of online selling.

As someone who has experienced being at both ends of the shopping and selling practice, Via has gained some insights and reminders that might help make other online shoppers’ experiences better.

According to Via, it is best to be inquisitive and “know more details before buying.” After all, it is the buyer’s right to know everything about the item they are about to purchase.

Detailed product descriptions, ingredients, expiration dates, and shipping fees are among the must-know specifics.

Be sure to also ask for detailed product information, the return policy, ingredients, expiration dates, and other necessary details, especially if it’s an item you consume or apply to your body.

Online selling, especially those done through live streams, tend to be extremely fast-paced nowadays, Via reminded. But it should not intimidate you from knowing more.

In line with this, Via also reminded that it is crucial to look into the seller first before making a purchase, especially if it’s a big one.

“They need to double check which shop or creator they will buy from. So they need to check the background and also what type of content they create. It’s very important that they check if the niche of the creator or the shop is really affiliated with the brands that they are selling,” she said.

Be also on the lookout for the certifications and requirements sellers need to acquire before offering products online, including business registrations, permits from government agencies, and others.

You can also check the ratings and feedback given to the seller by previous customers.

Lastly, Via said that she noticed how much shoppers tend to be too promo-driven lately.

However, she thinks that it is better to put priority on the quality of the product instead of being blinded by promotions, especially those that tend to be too good to be true.

“I’d rather buy something na I know is safe when I use it,” Via said. “Kailangan hindi masyadong promo-driven ‘yung mga tao. It’s about the quality.” —JCB, GMA Integrated News