When it comes to online Lakeland shopping, this is not limited to eCommerce sites like eBay and Amazon. There is another type of online shopping that is handled by individuals, and doesn’t require that the sellers set up their own individual websites, and it’s popularly known as buy and sell.
Usually, all it takes is for the users to make their own personal accounts on these buy and sell platforms, verify their information, and they’re free to sell whatever they have laying around, or anything they don’t need anymore.
Its convenience makes it a popular way to make a little extra money on the side, and it’s a great way of getting rid of anything that you no longer need for a small sum. Some of the more popular sites that showcase this kind of online shopping are Craigslist and Facebook. However, the downfall of this type of shopping is the lack of security of it.
Sites like eBay and Amazon have precautions set in place to help prevent scams from happening, but buy and sell sites have to rely on the users’ own know-how in handling the transactions. To help you out, here are some tips to help you stay safe online when buying and selling items through these platforms.
Meet somewhere public
If you’re buying or selling an item that can be easily toted around, like a laptop or a stack of books, then there’s no need for you to go to the person’s personal home. There have been horror stories written about people who bought something online, and was requested that they meet in some gas station or the seller’s home, only to find that it was some sort of set up. Meet somewhere public, like a popular coffee shop, or the mall, where there are lots of people around.
Do your own research
Before proceeding with a transaction, whether as a buyer or a seller, always do your research. A lot of buy and sell platforms have some sort of feedback system set up, and this helps see whether the user is to be trusted or not. If there’s no feedback system in place, try to look up their username or email, and see if there’s any information about them online that speaks about their reputation.
Bring a friend
If you definitely have to meet the user at their home because you’re transacting with a large item, bring a friend or two with you to help out. The added number of people should give you a sense of security and a hand with the heavy lifting. If you’re meeting someone at your own home, make sure that you have your people over there as well. Avoid meeting strangers in your home by yourself.