What to Check Before Buying Online

Online shopping is convenient, and most orders arrive just as expected. But when something goes wrong — the wrong size, a different colour, a broken item or no delivery at all — it can take weeks to fix. Most problems can be avoided with a short check before you press “order”.

Check the seller, not just the product

• Is there a phone number that someone actually answers?
• Is there a physical address, showroom or registered business name?
• How long has the page or website been active?
• What do other customers say — on the page, on Google and on review platforms such as Review Mark?

Confirm the full price

Ask for the total: product price, delivery charge, and any extra for cash on delivery or for your area. Get it in writing in the chat. If the price changes after you confirm, that is a red flag.

Read the product details carefully

Check size charts, measurements, materials, ingredients, model numbers and warranty terms. Product photos are often edited or taken from elsewhere; ask for a real photo or video if you are unsure. For electronics and cosmetics, ask whether the product is original and how you can verify it.

Choose a safe way to pay

Cash on delivery lets you see the parcel before paying, though not always open it. If you pay in advance by mobile banking or card, keep the transaction ID and screenshots. Be cautious when a seller insists on full advance payment to a personal number for an ordinary product.

Know the return and exchange policy

Ask before you buy: Can I return it? Within how many days? Who pays the delivery charge for a return? Is the refund in cash, mobile banking or store credit? A brand that cannot answer these questions clearly is unlikely to handle a problem well later.

Keep a record

Save the order confirmation, the chat, the payment proof and the delivery tracking. Take a short video while opening the parcel, especially for expensive items. These simple records make any complaint much easier to resolve.

After delivery, share your experience

Whether the order went perfectly or badly, a short honest review helps the next buyer — and helps good brands stand out. You can rate any brand on its Review Mark page in a minute.