Anybody who has bought anything from non-traditional sales channels or underground sources must have heard of the phrase “caveat emptor, which is Latin for “Let the buyer beware”. If it must be broken down into even simpler terms, it means that it is the responsibility of the buyer to make sure that the goods being received are as advertised, free from obvious or hidden defects, and in good working condition. This is especially applicable for transactions involving second hand goods, and in cases where the seller cannot provide a warranty for the goods being sold.

My experience with caveat emptor comes from buying stuff on the Internet, especially when getting pre-owned items. I am one of those people who thrive on looking for the best possible deals, and one of the places where those deals exist right now is the Internet. You can find almost anything on the Internet these days. Sellers range from the legitimate online stores of brick and mortar establishments, to business-minded individuals running an online store from their bedrooms, to fellow hobbyists looking for places to dispose of old equipment or raising funds for new equipment, to brokers who have an online presence, to flat-out scammers and thieves.

For the buyers, the challenge becomes looking for the item in the best possible condition at its best possible price being sold by a seller with the best possible reputation. In my case, if any of those three conditions are not met, then I am not interested. A mint condition item that is being sold at the same price as a brand new equivalent is not my idea of a good buy. Why should I buy something that is used for the price of something new? On the other hand, a super cheap item that is listed as “mint”, but being sold at an absurdly low rate should raise alarm bells, especially if the seller has a sketchy reputation. Now, if the price, age, and condition of the item seem reasonable, then it deserves a second look.

Here in the Philippines, a second look means texting the seller to get more details on the item, or to haggle the price. It could also mean asking for recent actual pictures of the item being discussed. Living away from Metro Manila, where most of the sellers are based, makes it especially hard for us probinsyanos. We cannot schedule a meeting so we can actually inspect the items. We have to pay via bank transfers, and in these cases, the buyer usually pays before the delivery is made. We have to add the cost of shipping. And while we may be able to get a limited-period (three days to a week) personal warranty from the buyer, but if any problems are found, we will not have the luxury of a face to face talk to discuss our issues, and we will have to ship the item back to the buyer.

For now, buying online here in the Philippines is only for those people who feel that the risks far outweigh the savings. This risk is drastically reduced if the items are brand new, but for those interested in the second hand market, the risk is always there. The funny thing is, the savings are potentially big only with expensive items like pre-owned laptops, digital cameras, photographic equipment, automotive parts and accessories, and cellphones; especially if the shipping costs are factored in. The high cost of these items increases the risks even further, making caveat emptor, aside from the more popular “if its too good to be true, it probably is”, one of the most important phrases in online buying.

On the side and totally out of topic, Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!