Should You Buy a Phone on Shopee, Lazada, or the Brand Store?

Should You Buy a Phone on Shopee, Lazada, or the Brand Store

Before you buy a phone on Shopee, Lazada, or the brand store, read this first — and find out where you’ll actually get the best deal.

So you’ve finally decided on the next phone you want to buy. You search it up online, but see different listings of the same model but the prices don’t match. The brand’s official website says one thing, the mall kiosks says another, and that one seller on Shopee is somehow ₱2,000 cheaper. So which one do you go with?

Shopping on Shopee and Lazada

Shopee and Lazada

The number one advantage in shopping online is the convenience. You can buy a phone on Shopee or Lazada anytime without going outside, and have it delivered right at your doorstep. Online shopping platforms also hosts a massive selection of products. This include, but not limited to, smartphones, laptops, accessories, appliances, and more. For some Filipinos, some of these products are not readily available in local malls.

Aside from being convenient, online stores also offer aggressive discounts, especially during their monthly sales like 3.3, 4.4, 5.5, and so on. Flash sales, free shipping vouchers, cashback promos, and so on are often offered. Online sellers even offer models and bundles that are not found in any physical store.

The Risk You Should Know

While buying a phone on Shopee and Lazada offer many benefits, there are also risks that you should be aware of. One is fake or counterfeit products. Some sellers sell imitation or class-A products, some even use misleading photos, or provide incomplete product descriptions. There are also scammers on the platforms. And since you shop online, you also won’t be able to physically inspect the product before purchasing it.

Another risk you should be prepared for are shipping delays. And this especially happens during sale seasons. Shipping time is also affected by weather disturbances like typhoons, as well as courier backlogs. And when you receive order and have a problem with it, the return and refund process can be a hassle.

Lastly, shopping online can have a negative impact in our environment. Excessive plastic is being used for packaging. These in turn end up in our trash and fills our landfills. And as e-commerce continues to grow here in the Philippines, environmental concerns are becoming more and more noticeable.

How to Safely Buy a Phone on Shopee and Lazada

The safest way to shop on either platform is to just stick to Shopee Mall and LazMall. This is where the official and verified stores can be found, which means the products are guaranteed authentic. They even come with the manufacturer’s local warranty.

Outside of Shopee Mall and LazMall, you take on a risk. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t good stores. You can always check the seller’s ratings before adding the product to your cart. A good rule of thumb is to look for at least 80% positive feedback. You should also take a minute to read the recent reviews, not just the star count.

Lastly, should also be wary of scammers. If a seller ask you to pay via their personal GCash or bank transfer outside the platform, that’s suspicious behavior. Always complete your payment within the app. And if the price of the product is significantly too low than the SRP, then it’s probably a scam. If it’s too good to be true, then it probably is. Deals and discounts do exist, but check if it’s unrealistically low.

The Brand Store Advantage

Power Mac Center Stores in Davao and Tagum Opens

There are lots of advantage when purchasing on a physical brand store. One is the product is 100% authentic, and comes with official warranty. You can also get in-person support to help you in your purchase decision. Brand stores also often offer bundles, freebies, and even trade-in options that are exclusive to their stores.

While these are great advantages, there is also a few downside. The main one is the inconvenience getting out of the house, commuting, and physically going to the brand store to purchase your desired device. And sometimes, it’s not even available in the store so you go to another store. And when it is available, it usually comes in full SRP and sometimes with less flexible payment options outside installment.

So, Which One Should You Choose

To help you decide on where to buy, we’ve made this quick guide.

SituationBest Choice
Best price, willing to be carefulShopee/Lazada Mall
First-time buyer, not tech-savvyBrand Store
Flagship phone ₱30k+Brand Store
Budget phone under ₱20kShopee/Lazada
During a big sale eventShopee/Lazada (official stores only)

There is actually no single right answer on where to buy. But there is a right wat to approach each platform. If you know what to look for, you can score great deals online without the headache.

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