Don't get scammed when buying fabrics online! Here are a few things you can check to see if the seller is genuine and avoid getting robbed.
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The COVID-19 pandemic changed lives in numerous ways for us all. Besides the constant care for hygiene, the most notable has been the changes in our buying habits. Staying at home made us all choose comfort over style for a while but now that the world re-opens, we are opting for the best of both worlds with our newer collections.
Locked in our own homes, all of us had the time to browse fashion online, even if it was just to feel the thrill of shopping. Many tried to buy groceries or fashion Online & while some liked the experience, some found it less satisfying. The products one gets from online shopping may be different from what they expect due to many reasons. Having a bad experience is still a learning experience but the online world can get very challenging for first-time users.
Recently, a lady from Gujarat tried to buy a Salwar suit worth Rs. 900 but later her bank account showed that Rs. 1 Lakh was withdrawan from her account. Virtual crime and theft has increased as well over the last few years. But that doesn't mean anyone should be afraid of online shopping. The world has a lot to offer and we're here to help you take it!
There are some simple ways you can tell if someone is a fraud online. Look out for the following things -
1. Clear Photos
Real brands always show photos of the actual product. The photos are clear, with bright lighting and actual colours so the customer is satisfied. If the photos are blurred or there are no photos of the actual product, this is a warning sign that the following details should be checked!
Look at the photos on our Kurti listings for example - https://www.manglatextiles.com/shop-online
We try to make the shopping experience as easy and enjoyable as possible with photos that are so detailed that every thread is visible!
2. Complete & Detailed product description
Genuine websites always post the exact quality/ingredients/specifications/details of the product or service they sell. The details confirm that the product shown in the photo is the product that will be sent. Reading this description is important, if it is different from the shown product or if there is no description, this is another warning.
Click here to look at the details we share for our garments - Rose | Pastel floral kurti
You will find what fabric the piece is made of, what printing technique is used, what value additions are done, what the sleeve length is and a size guide for complete transparency!
3. Registered Business Address
Genuine sellers list their business address on their websites. This can be checked on google to find the business office of the seller and make sure it is a real authentic business. If the place is not showing a registered address, you can be sure something is not right.
Have a look at how every genuine business has a contact details page -
4. Working phone numbers & E-mail ID
Authentic Online stores are available for customer service 24/7! Having a working helpline is a major requirement for online selling. A genuine company is welcoming & quick to your requests. Real brands always try to create the best shopping experiencepossible to get recommendations and make lasting customer relations. In case there are no contact details, or they are not responding, it is another bad sign.
Have a look at how Verified Sellers have dedicated contact details to reach - https://www.manglatextiles.com/contact
We try to be your wardrobe and everyday favorite and that happens only when you know we're always here for you!
5. Legal Terms & Conditions
Making an online store requires complete transparency. All terms of delivery, services, returns, exchange, cancellations and more are written for public disclosure. These are binding terms for the company. A Trusted Seller will maintain this transparency and share terms beforehand. If legal information like Terms & conditions, Privacy policy & Cancellation policy is missing, it is a warning to check all other points about the seller.
We, for example, have listed all our details on a dedicated page - https://www.manglatextiles.com/service-policies
It is of utmost importance to us that every visitor feels safe and has a positive takeaway, be it from our blog, designs, or garments.
6. Secure URL address
URL address is what we type in to get to a website (for example - www.manglatextiles.com).
Genuine vendors have safe URLs ending in .com or .in or .org which load without any warnings from the browser. Google usually warns users about suspiscious websites if there is sufficient information. In case there is a warning that the website is not safe, be careful about giving your information or paying them.
7. Protected Checkout/Payment
Authentic Online stores maintain high security at checkout pages so there are no chances of fraud at their site via hacking. The pages are SSL secured ideally (meaning no one can steal your data) and have an integrated payment gateway.
A payment gateway is a highly secure payment partner website, who accept payments from the customers on behalf of the seller. None of your payment information is given to the seller this way, protecting you at all cost.
Payment gateways like Razorpay, PayU and Paytm (Payment gateway, not the App) are popular and widely used in India. They check the details like address, owner's PAN, Aadhar, Passport, registered business address and much more. Payment gateways are regulated by the RBI and Govt. authorities, so if you are paying through one of these, you can rest assured, you are buying from a verified store.
A payment gateway looks something like this, with the name of the provider in the URL bar -
You can choose any method of payment and only the amount of the bill is charged to the buyer this way.
Our payment partner for example, Razorpay, is transpartent to the RBI to boost user confidence - https://razorpay.com/blog/digital-payments-ombudsman-scheme-2019-rbi/
8. Details they ask for (Probably the most important point!)
Many Ad campaigns are LIVE today, to explain and educate users to beware of suspecious calls or messages. Anyone trying to steal from you will need to get your bank ID, passwords, & OTPs. To do this they pretend that you may have won a prize or you are eligible for a big offer and they need the details to transfer funds into your account.
No genuine seller will ask for these details. If someone does, we suggest you to be very cautious!
9. Just Google it
If you're buying from an online store for the first time and are not confident, you can try to google the website or brand with the words "scam", "fake" or "fraud" attached, for example "XYZ fraud". Google will find out if they have ever cheated anyone before.
This is not a sure way and will present you results only if someone has raised a complaint online. However, it is worth a try!
Nothing can replace the feeling of visiting a store and seeing what you're buying with your own eyes, but we can assure you of our Precision & High Quality standards with open communication & complete transparency.
Stay alert, Shop safe
The real world has risks. In 2018, nearly 20,000 cases of pickpocketing were reported in Thane, Mumbai. Unfortunately the world is not all safe, but we still go out to live our lives. Don't miss out on the good things in life because of fear.
Avoiding Online Crime is easy and possible. All we need to do is pay attention.
We wish you the best of luck & know that if you keep these points in mind, you will be surfing the internet like a boss. Treat yourself to the best of fabrics; you can start right here!
Until next time,
Team Mangla
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