6 Online Buying Etiquette Rules to Follow

Filipino consumers enjoy shopping online for many reasons. For one thing, it's often more convenient than in-person shopping because one can shop wherever and whenever one likes. For another, buying online offers plenty of unique options and affordable deals that translate to saving money. Instead of limiting your choices to brand-new products, for example, you can visit reputable online marketplaces like LookingFour, where people buy and sell online and find secondhand items in good condition.

If you've been shopping online for some time, you're probably aware that there are many things you can do to be able to transact safely and conveniently online. You can check customer reviews, compare prices among sellers, and verify the contact information of stores to reduce the risk of falling prey to online scams. However, while safeguarding your interest is a significant part of online transactions, it's not the be-all and end-all of it. As a buyer, you should also observe online buying etiquette rules to ensure a smooth and enjoyable shopping experience, and also to give sellers the kind of respect that they deserve. Here are some of them:

Read Before Asking

Let's say you want to purchase a secondhand laptop for your school or office needs. When you find a unit you're interested in, read the information included in the image or caption carefully before messaging the seller with questions. There's a high chance that you'll find the model, price, product specifications, and other things you might want to know already included in the post. Make it a habit to comb through all the details provided and ask questions only when necessary. That way, you can save yourself and the seller a lot of time and energy.

Be Reasonable When Haggling

While haggling may be deemed a common and acceptable practice when buying online in the Philippines, you should always be mindful and considerate when asking for deals and discounts, especially from independent sellers who don't always have the financial resources available to big retailers. Keep in mind that these sellers often have limited working funds, so they need to earn in order to grow or even maintain their business.

In short, be polite when asking for discounts. Moreover, do your research beforehand about the current prices that the products you want to buy command so you can make a reasonable offer. Also see you could purchase several other items that you need from the same seller to boost your bargaining power and create a win-win opportunity.

That said, if you want to try haggling but are unsure how to go about it, consider buying new and secondhand items here on the LookingFour website. Unlike many other online marketplaces, LookingFour allows buyers to easily make offers for products by simply clicking the “Make an Offer” button. With this feature, saving money becomes so much easier.

Be Considerate

Perhaps you found a secondhand sofa set that you genuinely like while browsing furniture listings late at night, so you contacted the seller immediately to negotiate the price. While it's perfectly alright to leave a message anytime, it would be inconsiderate to expect a reply during such odd hours. After all, sellers are not automated machines but real people.

Like everyone else, online sellers have plenty of things to attend to besides managing their online business. As such, be considerate of their time, and avoid bombarding them with queries, especially when it's beyond business hours. Give them sufficient time to address your concerns.

Don't Lead the Seller On

If you've already communicated with the seller and made the impression that you're interested in buying, be honest with your intentions. Reserve the item and make the necessary delivery/pick up/meet up and payment arrangements if you're really a sure buyer.

However, if you've decided not to go through with the transaction, inform the seller as soon as possible. That way, they can keep the product posted and find other potential buyers. Huwag kang paasa (don't lead the seller on); this attitude may seem harmless to you, but it can certainly hurt someone's business.

Follow the Rules

Most sellers impose shopping guidelines and policies on pricing, payment modes, couriers, and other aspects of transactions to make their business more efficient. As a responsible buyer, you should consider following these rules to the letter instead of making unnecessary demands or finding ways to go around them. Sellers often have well-thought-out reasons for imposing these guidelines, so trust the process to avoid delays and other issues.

Be Respectful

Because it’s easy to forget that the sellers you transact with are real people with feelings when you merely communicate online, you should make a conscious effort to be polite and be well-behaved in your interactions. Greet the seller with a simple “Hi” or “Hello” before you convey your message. Use respectful language whenever you communicate with them—even if they refuse your request for a discount. Most importantly, always end your conversations on a positive note by saying, “Thank you.” When you’re respectful and pleasant to deal with, there’s a great chance that you and the seller will build a mutually beneficial online relationship over time.

Keep the above online buying etiquette rules in mind whenever you purchase any item online to boost your chances of a more pleasant and satisfying experience. Remember, while you can’t physically see who you’re transacting with online, there are real people behind the screen. As such, always be polite and follow the Golden Rule—treat sellers as you want to be treated.