Well, being a blogshop owner aka online shop owner, I'm actually quite irritated when people keeps asking me how to do this and that. And the fact that I have to keep repeating the same thing makes me upset. I actually learnt them all on my own.
So I decided to create a guide as to how to shop online both on facebook and on online shops like livejournals, forever 21 etc.
1) Basics
- Look through the seller's page and read feedbacks/reviews and see if the seller has got good ratings to prevent yourself from getting scammed.
- Read the T&Cs!! Make sure you read them! This is to protect yourself from scammers.
- For facebook sellers, you should at least get their HP numbers if you have never dealt with them before or have heard bad feedbacks. This is so that if they go missing or deactivate their facebook accounts, you can find them.
2) Buying of item
- The seller should be willing to give you measurements if she don't have the time to take more photos because you would want to get something that you can wear.
- You can try and negotiate, but NEVER EVER PUSH YOUR LUCK. Being a seller, I hate it when people try to haggle the price until $5 to even $10 below the stated price. All sellers would like buyers to know that even though we are desperate to sell the things we have, we don't want to lose too much either because we've probably set it below original price already :)
- You can TRY asking for free normal mail though! :)
- Please read every single description written on the picture or in the description box. If you're using a mobile phone, try to use a laptop or a computer to look at it because most sellers would have already listed everything you need to know :)
- The descriptions written on the pictures should definitely be read. The sellers make the effort to edit the photos for the sake of the mobile users so they can read them. Not for the buyers to ask about the things that are already listed on the photo. :(
- You can opt for postage or meet ups.
3) Meet ups
- Try to meet up at a place that both of you agree to.
- The max someone should charge you for meet up fees is $3 even though adult fare won't exceed that amount. $5 is too ridiculous.
- Be PUNCTUAL.
- Don't cancel meet ups last minute. Inform either party at least a few hours before.
- Check your items on the spot to prevent disputes.
4) Postage
- Singpost charge by the weight of the packages
- Normal mail (ranges from $0.20 - $3.55) will be delivered to your mailbox. You cannot track it, and if it gets lost, it'll never be the seller's fault, provided she did mail it.
- Certificate of Postage (COP) will be an additional $0.20 on top of normal mail charges, it serves as a proof that the seller mailed your item. It is the same as normal mail, so no tracking.
- Registered mail (ranges from $2.75 - $5.80) will be delivered to your doorstep. You can track it and if you're not home, there will be a delivery slip left at your door and you can collect it at the post office stated on the back :)
- A.M. mail (mailbox delivery: $2.60, doorstep delivery: $3.90) will be delivered not later than 11am the next working day (mon-fri) and apparently, singpost do delay it.
- Speedpost is for international packages or for packages over 2kg. It ranges from $7 to $30 depending on areas. (Local) (International)
- Couriers might work differently. I've been using Ta-Q-bin for packages over 2kg, and it charge by size, and it ranges from $6 - $12. It is delivered to your doorstep :)
- Do note that you should always get a picture of the package and tracking number if you're using registered mail.
- I'd definitely reccommend registered mail over normal mail as it'll lower the risk of items get lost.
- DO MAKE SURE YOU PROVIDE THE CORRECT ADDRESS WITH UNIT NUMBER< BLK NUMBER AND POSTAL CODE.
- Make sure your seller writes a return address at the back as well, especially for registered mail.
- Do ask the seller about mailing days etc to clarify doubts.
5) Payment
- If you want to shop online, at least have a bank account. It is very, I mean VERY, inconvenient for both the seller and the buyer without a bank account.
- If you do not have a bank account, at least know that you have options like cash deposits or coin deposits. You can definitely do a cash deposit without a card, same goes for coin deposits.
- For cash deposits, just go to the CASH DEPOSIT MACHINE (obviously right? ATM refers to automated teller machine which allows cash withdrawals, ibanking applications etc, but NOT cash deposit. Reason why the cash deposit machine exists.)
- Then tap on the screen (for those with a bank account, just put in the card, enter your pin) and follow the instructions.
- But if you don't know how to it at the cash deposit machine, you can go to the bank and get the counter staff to help you. But you'll need the FULL NAME and ACCOUNT NUMBER of the person you're transferring to.
- If you want to make shopping online more convenient, apply for Ibanking. But sad to say, you can only apply for it if you're 16 and above.
- You should go to the atm to apply for it.
Steps for iB Application via ATM:
Step 1: Insert card* and enter your ATM PIN
Step 2: Select "More Services" and then choose the language of your choice.
Step 3: Select "PIN Services/Internet Banking"
Step 4: Choose "Apply for iBanking PIN"
At this point, a screen will display to prompt customer to verify and confirm on current address to ensure all correspondence relating to iBanking are sent to the right address.
Step 5: Enter your choice of a 6-digit iBanking PIN
- Wait for them to mail the ibanking device to you.
- Go to the ibanking page, enter your user, and 6-digit PIN you entered when you applied for it. Press the button on the ibanking device (there will be specific instructions on the page)
- Click on "Funds Transfer" on the left blue column, then choose "Funds transfer to other DBS/POSB A/C"
- Enter the details required, press your ibanking device then you're done!!
- If you're doing inter bank transfers, please remember that it takes at least 3 working days
- The above are more applicable to QOO10, livejournal shops or facebook deals. But if you want to purchase from overseas like Forever 21, Nasty Girl, you'll have to have a debit/credit card. But I believe many of you aren't working so you won't be able to use a credit card.
- I believe you have to be above 16 to get a debit card too.
- It works the same way as a credit card, just that debit cards deduct straight from your account, so if you don't have money, you can't use it. But for credit card, it's borrowing money from the bank in advance.
- Otherwise, you can use paypal too, which also use your debit card. But some shops only accept paypal like etsy :)
- So the conclusion is, online shopping requires an effective way of fund transfer, the faster the better. So you can get the deal done ASAP!
This is about all I can remember! haha.
Easy right?
But if you are too young to be able to buy things on your own, then don't buy! There has been a lot of buyers giving excuses like their parents don't allow them to buy etc. I mean, you should have known better.
Shopping online requires trust, so if you don't trust the seller, don't buy from him/her. No point getting all worried.
Hope this helps!! ^^
And, maybe visit my facebook shop?
Polymailers
$10.50 Tribal phone casings
Forever 21 spree
Nasty girl spree
Top shop spree
Livejournal Instocks
La Riche Directions Preorder
Manic Panic preorder
JC textbooks
Click on my nuffnang ads below this post please <3
Now go get clothes and shop like madddd!
Hope this helps!! ^^
And, maybe visit my facebook shop?
Polymailers
$10.50 Tribal phone casings
Forever 21 spree
Nasty girl spree
Top shop spree
Livejournal Instocks
La Riche Directions Preorder
Manic Panic preorder
JC textbooks
Click on my nuffnang ads below this post please <3
Now go get clothes and shop like madddd!
