Discounts! Discounts! Discounts!
Group Buying Sites have become very popular with the big amount slashed from the item's or service's original price. Besides the reason that you can buy items with discounts of up to 97% (well, that's according to their advertisements), you also avoid the hassle of commuting to go to a store trying to find a perfect gift that fits the budget or experience the comfort of securing your slot for that day's spa service since you have an already paid voucher.
Though there are advantages in purchasing items in Group Buying Sites, buyers should also take note of the following to make sure you'll have a hassle-free transaction and you get that full satisfaction:
1. Inquire item details from the seller.
I am a constant customer of Metrodeal, a group buying site in Philippines. Last December, I purchase a USB Led Watch. I have seen the promo previously but I wasn't able to buy one. That's why when I saw it again in Metrodeal, I never hesitated to press that "Order" button. When my item was finally delivered, I got disappointed because it's too big for my wrist and it is not adjustable. In their advertisement, it looks slim and small, but the 2nd picture shows how big the item was for me.
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| Image 02. Photo of the Actual Item |
So before getting excited to buy that item you saw, ask first the size, functionalities and other details you are considering to avoid disappointment.
2. Update Personal Information in your account.
For Metrodeal customers, sellers get your address from the Personal Information in your account for deliveries. Make sure that you update your address and phone number before purchasing anything. As your item might land in the wrong hands. This brings me to my next point.
3. Know the courier chosen by the seller.
This is one of the most important lessons I have learned when buying items online. Having a reliable courier secures that you will get the item/s you paid for. So better ask the seller as to what courier will deliver your valuable item.
Let me share with you my not-so-good experience with JAM EXPRESS, the chosen courier of my USB Led Watch seller.
Jan 17, 2013: JAM express rider delivered my item in my old house. According to their record, he gave the item to a guy named "Erwin" who introduced himself as my landlord.
Jan 18, 2013: I went to my old house. No package delivered. And according to my previous neighbors there's no guy named "Erwin" living in my old apartment. I reported the incident to JAM Express and a girl named "Lara" assured me the item will be replaced by the rider once he fails to retrieve it.
Jan 21, 2013:
10 AM: The rider called me to inform that he will get the item back and give it to me once retrieved before lunch time. I spent the whole day in my house waiting.
5:30 PM: No rider showed up. I sent messages to JAM Express but they ignored them. Totally annoyed by how they neglect a customer's complaint, I contacted the seller. The seller immediately responded and sent a mail to the marketing officer of JAM Express with me copied.
7:30 PM: I received a call from "Lara". She told me she has the item and that she was trying to contact me in my other number but I can't be reached. Both my phones were active and I was using them the whole day so I was wondering why she can't reach me. WEIRD. I asked for a change of delivery address to my office. She agreed.
8:00 PM: Ms. Lara called and asked me to pay Php 45 for the delivery since it was already tagged as delivered. I refused as it wasn't my fault. The manager insisted saying "Lugi na kami." and I replied "I waited the whole day for your rider.I can pay but I won't." She was raising her voice and explaining her business concerns but I told her again, it was not my fault. I could have gotten my item if they replied to my messages asking for updates. When she felt she couldn't win the arguement, she agreed to deliver my items in office for free.
Jan 22: I finally got my item after going through all those follow up calls (They don't answer immediately. You have to literally call for more than 10 times), the unknown-guy-named-Erwin search and the intense argument with the manager who is supposed to be minding the customer's concerns instead of telling her business concerns.
Well, there's always a first time. I am just charging everything to experience.
We buy the items with our hard earned money, so it is just right to be get our bought item as what it was promised and when it was promised with no extra charges and no other compromises.
