We live in the age of e-commerce. For any kind of product, be it handmade or not, you can easily find an online retailer that’s selling it to you at the click of a button. With so many options at your fingertips, it’s easy to get overwhelmed as you search through all the different websites trying to find what you’re looking for. To ensure you end up with the item you want and need without getting ripped off by overpriced items or falling prey to scams, follow these steps on how to shop online for handmade items.
1) Check the Site's Trustworthiness
There are a lot of handmade site scams out there, so it’s always a good idea to check that an online shop is trustworthy. But how can you tell? The best way is to look at other user reviews and see if they sound legitimate. If you’re dealing with a smaller shop, check their social media accounts. Most Small Business owners have transitioned from third-party selling sites to their own site which makes it extremely hard to make sales if they do not have a following on Social Media. Since my main occupation is more technical, here is a way to validate the site that you are interested in shopping on, https://www.ssltrust.com/. This site gives you a report if the site has malware and SSL attached to the site.
3) Read Customer Reviews
It’s important to read reviews from previous customers before you buy an item. This can give you insight into whether or not a piece is of high quality, and if it’s easy to use. Buying handmade items means you are getting something unique, so it’s best to familiarize yourself with what you’re buying ahead of time.
4) Check Their Policies on Returns
Most handmade shops have varying policies on returns. If you plan on ordering multiple items, it’s important to check and see what type of return policy is in place. This way, you won’t be surprised if an item is not quite what you thought it would be when it arrives at your doorstep. And if an item arrives damaged or breaks shortly after purchase, knowing their return policy will help immensely when contacting them about a refund or replacement.