The Internet opened many possibilities for the average Filipino to make and earn a living. The prevalence of online businesses has become a trend, especially in the recent years. Whether it’s on a blog or on social media, online buying and selling has become a great part of our online community. You may try to search for a keyword on social media, and there will definitely be someone nearby or from the neighboring cities that would be selling that particular item you are looking for. This isn’t limited to bags and apparels, as gadgets and even affordable personal computers have become commodities that are now being sold online. Now, you may wonder if transactions made online are safe. You may be motivated by these online sellers and think of starting your own. How safe are you as an online seller from individuals that have wrongful thoughts in mind? Well, worry no more, as here are a few tips to minimize your risk as an online seller:
Secure the payment process.
The thing about online businesses is that the payment method pretty much varies from traditional in-store transactions. You post the products on a website or social media page. An interested buyer will message you to inquire about the product and then make an order. You then send them the item through a third-party courier while they send you their payment either via bank deposit or money transfer. Simple enough, right? However, you can’t really grasp the real intention of the buyer as you’re just transacting online. Are they honest customers or scammers who are out for an easy score? There is a technique to avoid a potential scam. Confirm the payment first before sending the item to the customer. If they’re going to deposit the payment via your bank account, take time to check your balance and see if the amount was already credited into your account. If they’re going to pay via money transfer, ask for the control number and immediately pick up the payment. Once received, only then should you send the item to the customer.
Never give too much information on your store page.
This is one of the most basic things to remember when being a seller, let alone being an online seller. It is acceptable to post your name and contact number within your product advertisement. However, you don’t have to post your bank details upfront (if the payment method is through bank deposit). You may just give it to them via private message or text message once the customer confirms that they are indeed going to make a purchase. Not only would you reduce the risk of making your bank details public, but it would also protect you from scammers who are frisking online accounts for other malicious transactions.
Select a safe meet-up point.
Don’t get confused, yes, there are online sellers who prefer meet-ups when it comes to the exchange of payment and the ordered item. It may sacrifice a bit of your convenience as the seller, since it would involve travel (and possibly traffic), but this would add points to your credibility – showing your customers that you, as a seller is willing to meet them face-to-face to show them the item (and assure that there is no damage on the product and that it perfectly works fine). It would also ensure that you get the payment immediately. Thus, no extra effort to check your bank balance or pick up by money transfer. With all this being said, choose a safe and public spot for the meet-up transaction. If you prefer a mall, choose a spot next to the entrance guards or roaming guards, so that scammers would need to think twice if ever they decide to mess with you.
Do a bit of profiling whenever possible.
There are times in which the interested buyer would transact via a social media messenger. This would allow you to check their profile and personal info. A profile which is only a week old and only has around 50 or less online friends would seem fishy. Be vigilant with these types of accounts as scammers love to transact using a faulty accounts, to hide themselves and their true intentions. Stay alert!
Get insured.
What better way to minimize your risk than with a very helpful insurance policy. Cebuana Lhuillier’s NegosyoCARE is a Personal and Property Insurance specifically designed for clients with micro, small (non-online), and/or medium enterprises or businesses. It covers property insurance, burglary and robbery, accidental death, permanent disablement and dismemberment, accident medical reimbursement (AMR), and money, securities, and payroll coverage. A pointer to remember would be that this coverage may not cover small-time online sellers; instead, it is much focused on bigger businesses that have higher risks of loss when unexpected circumstances would arise. With all of those coverages, you may never have to worry about someone ruining your business momentum, Cebuana Lhuillier has got your back.
So what are you waiting for? Visit your nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch now and inquire about our NegosyoCARE.
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