One major issue in internet shopping is payment. How does the buyer pay, and how does the seller receive the payment. In the Philippines, the most trustworthy way is through meet-ups, which means that the internet mainly becomes an avenue to advertise or market the product. The transaction is completed not through the internet but when they actually meet.
Since the Philippines is composed of 7,000 plus islands, meet-ups barely meets the demand of internet shopping. Credit card payment would have resolved the problem, but since most of the buyers in the Philippines are teens, most of them do not have credit card yet. Hence, credit card transaction isn’t much of a choice, apart from the fact that we do not have an internet credit card system as in other countries and that Filipinos are too afraid to entrust their credit card with strangers.
So, sellers mainly transact via bank deposits, G-cash, and other money remittance method. The problem with Bank deposit is that the seller wouldn’t know who deposited the money in his account, until the buyer sends a copy of the deposit slip to the seller. Bank deposit then isn’t as smooth and hassle free as an internet transaction would be. Money remittance almost has the same issues.
G-cash is a money remittance method provided by Globe Telecom. Many online sellers have enrolled for an account with Globe, since most buyers have cellphones. Buyers with a Globe sim can pay instantly by texting, if one has credits in his account. Or they can choose to go to any Globe outlet or SM department stores to pay. After payment, the seller will be informed that payment has been received via text.
Perhaps payment in online shopping has yet to evolve to something more trustworthy, available, and hassle free in the Philippines.
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