To welcome the new year in our home office, we decided to buy a new lounge chair from Lazada.  We were not at home when we got the notification that the item has been delivered, and was looking forward to inspect the chair when we got back.

The Lazada delivery did come that day, but my daughter who was home only received a small package that indicated it has zero peso value.  She set it aside, in the place where we normally leave packages for each other (yes, we are all customers of the shopping app and to be candid, we use it too much, more than we should).

Seeing there was no bulky package when we arrived home, we assumed that the delivery guy tagged it as delivered when it was not yet, likely to meet a quota, as has happened many times in the past.  We waited for it the next day, but by the 3rd day we got suspicious when the deadline to confirm receipt came closer.  So we looked at our pile of unopened parcels and found that the small one handed to my daughter had the same order ID as the chair.  We opened it and found two small tissue packets inside.

It was clearly a scam, and when we contacted the buyer, we were assured the “real” item would be delivered within 7 days.  But why send a “gift” which would release the payment before the item got to us?  We reported it to Lazada and got our refund confirmation within 3 days.

This was no small amount that we could overlook. The chair is cheap, cheaper than what you will find in furniture stores, but not too cheap that it will not hurt to lose the cash and be left holding two tissue packs.  And those tissues – were they meant to dry our tears from being scammed?

So if you also enjoy buying from shopping apps, let this be a warning not to randomly click the item received button.  Here’s how you can better protect yourself and continue enjoying the great deals from mobile shopping. 

#1 Open the package properly without damaging the label

I don’t really return items often, but the last time I did, I was not required to take an item of the parcel label along with the item.  After all, I already filled in the Order number and all related details.  But from our recent near-scam experience, we had to take a photo of the label along with the tissue packs to initiate the refund process.

#2 Make sure to check all items for multiple orders from one vendor

If you placed several orders from one seller, take time to check if all items were delivered, and if all are in good condition.  Don’t rush to confirm receipt until you have done this, or you lose the chance to return any defective items, or ask for a refund.  When 10 items I bought from one vendor came, it all looked good inside their packaging until I had to open one several weeks later and discovered the hair clasp is broken.  It was too late to replace, return or get my money back.

#3 Got an item you did not order?  Check the parcel label

If you also get surprised by tissue packs, or face masks, or any small items that seemed like a freebie, think again.  Check the details on the parcel label and see if they match any of your orders.  If yes, file a report immediately for being sent the wrong and most likely much lower-value item.

#4 You can chat with the seller but be cautious.

My husband asked the seller about the tissue packs and was told that they will ship the chair in 7 days.  They said we wanted to send a small gift first, and asked him to wait.  The thing is Lazada will give you only 3 days to confirm receipt after delivery has been made.  You can extend this for another 3 to 4 days if you need time (maybe you are traveling or too busy to check parcel) but that’s a total of 7 days.  If we had accepted the assurances of the seller, by then, the item will be considered received and the money we paid released, leaving us with less cash and no chair.

#5 Track your request and refund.

Just because you asked for a refund does not mean that you will get it.  Your request will need to be approved, and then you can get your money back.  It’s part of the process for the seller to dispute the request, and some do. Maybe because this was clearly a scam but this was a first for us to get the refund processed in about 3 days.  The last time I refuted a sale and delivery, it took me 3 weeks of chasing Lazada to finally get the action I needed.  While grateful I was not shortchanged, the whole ordeal exhausted me and I would not wish that on anyone.