The year-end sale (12.12) is around the corner and heaps of good deals are going to be up for grabs on Daraz � Pakistan�s largest online shopping platform. While there are existing measures to protect buyers, there are some sellers who set up fake online stores to prey on unsuspecting victims. A lot of customers complain about receiving fake products, however, there are some signs that customers can look out for to detect a counterfeit item.
Before your checkout from a store, here are some of the things that you need to know so that you can ensure a safer shopping experience for yourself.
1. Lowest price might not be the best option for you
It is human nature that people will tend to prefer the listings with the lowest price. It is okay to expect the online prices to be cheaper than the retail price, but customers should look out for ridiculous price differences. They say that sometimes if something seems too good to be true, you should give it a second thought. Playing by this principle, customers should be wary of the �too good to be true� prices on Daraz.
For example, if you know that Stila lip gloss sets retail prices between Rs. 4000 � Rs. 6000, then it is impossible for it to be priced as low as Rs. 699. This is a clear indication of a potential scam. Similar is the case with the Huda Beauty Bullet Proof lipsticks. One should know that it cannot retail for as low as Rs. 177 and hence, this too is a clear indication of a scam. It is recommended that the customer does their own research from the official store so that they are aware of the actual retail price of the product they�re buying.
2. Store Reviews and Rating
Another thing to look out for is the store�s reputation. Customers should pay attention to the store ratings and the product reviews so that they can assume a similar experience for themselves.
Below each of the products, is the rating which many customers have given. It is important to scan how many people have rated the product and what the rating is. When you click on a product that you like, you are able to see the reviews which customers have posted.
3. Customer Reviews
The picture below is an example of how such reviews allow the customer to get a holistic picture of what they can expect from the particular order. At times individuals attach pictures of the order which came in, adding credibility to their review.
Customers should always analyze this part of their experience so that their pre-shopping journey is as seamless as possible and they minimize the possibility of buying a counterfeit item.
4. Chat with sellers
It is very possible that even after reading the reviews and looking at the store ratings, one is still doubtful about ordering that particular product. In that case, Daraz has the option where you can chat with the seller through instant messaging. This medium allows you to clarify any misconceptions and get any queries answered. Customers also have the option to ask the seller details such as if there will be any difference in the order when received as compared to the picture that is posted.
5. Daraz Mall
If a customer is shopping for products from Daraz Mall, they can be free of any doubts of possibly receiving a fake product. Daraz Mall hosts 100% authentic and genuine brands, therefore, all the products listed there have no form of counterfeit.
Additional measures to prevent fraud listings
Daraz has invested a lot of efforts to devise stringent policies to minimize fake sellers and shops selling fake products on the platform. Daraz has a scorecard with three measures against all the sellers, who are rated on a regular basis. These checks allow the platform to pick out the sellers who have been delivering fake products and have a very high-quality return rate.
If a seller is delivering fake products, Daraz takes steps to temporally de-list his/her shop. If this becomes a continuous practice, then the seller is permanently delisted from the platform. Additionally, Daraz has a list of products that are restricted for the average seller to sell in the marketplace without official certification and approval from the brand itself. This to make sure that no counterfeit product will be posted in the name of a real one.
If, unfortunately, a customer receives a fake or a counterfeit product, Daraz has a generous return policy in place. Products bought from marketplace seller can be returned up to 7 days and those bought from Daraz Mall can be returned up to 14 days. Therefore, customers have flexibility and convenience at all touchpoints. Daraz is all set to launch the year-end sale and we hope that you all are better prepared to watch out for some sneaky predators that manage to exist on the platform amongst the many genuine and trustworthy sellers.
