AS TECHNOLOGY starts to take over the business industry, local consumers are beginning to enjoy the convenient way of purchasing products online by just a click or touch of a button.
Businessmen and entrepreneurs are taking the opportunity to use technology as their means to further reach their customers. More and more are also searching for job opportunities from the comfort of their homes.
Owen Jaen, A 38-year-old online consumer, said doing business online is fast, convenient and a good way to purchase products which are rare to see on actual stores or might not yet available locally.
"But it can also be a tricky way to shop since you don't have the chance to try the product before buying it or if you get conned by sites, sellers or apps that don't deliver what they promised," Jaen added.
Madeline Cuadra, a businesswoman who sells clothes, accessories, and other ready-to-wear items via online, said the emergence of online businesses is a convenient way to sell products to the consumers.
"Karamihan sa atin gumagamit ng social media. Mas madali mong mabenta
yung mga products at less hassle pa (Most of us are using social media. It’s faster to sell our products via online and it’s less hassle)," Cuadra said.
She added that as an online buyer, online businesses are a huge help.
"Talagang nakatutulong, especially since I have two kids. Hindi ako
masyadong nakakaalis. Kasi pag sa online, meron pong COD or cash on delivery. So less hassle kasi hinahatid pa sa bahay (It’s really a huge help, especially since I have two kids. I don't usually get to go outside. Since it’s online, there's COD or cash on delivery. It’s less hassle since they will deliver the product to our house)," Cuadra said.
Niño Josemari Violango, an owner of an online business that sells beauty products through posting in his Facebook account, said it is convenient and by having it, he can work anytime of the day.
"It’s convenient on my part in ordering stuff online. You have to be careful also in buying online. It really depends on the company or seller," Violango added.
Online businesses are indeed convenient and an easier way to sell products to consumers, not only in a single location but anywhere in the world. But it doesn't mean all businesses people see online are legal, or as some may say "legit."
As such, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has policies concerning the protection of consumers in online transactions and their complaints.
On October 20, 2008, the DTI, Department of Health (DOH) and
Department of Agriculture (DA) enacted a joint memorandum circular on consumer protection for e-commerce transactions.
The DTI-DOH-DA Joint Administrative Order No. 1 "Rules and Regulations for Consumer Protection in a Transaction Covered by the Consumer Act of the Philippines (Republic Act 7394) through Electronic Means Under the E-commerce Act (RA 8792)" or the E-Consumer Protection Guidelines.
Part of the guidelines include mandating minimum requirements that e-commerce sites must comply with, such as privacy policy, information about retailer, seller, distributor, products and services, and consumer transaction, including the setting-up of a help desk to internally resolve consumer complaints.
The DTI is also working with the Congress to amend the Consumer Act of the Philippines that will include e-commerce-related provisions.