Reliable Online Marketplaces

What is an online marketplace?

An online marketplace is a website that connects buyers and sellers and facilitates shopping from multiple sellers. The marketplace does not own any inventory but instead manages the transactions between a buyer and seller.

Online marketplaces are convenient to use, have a wide range of products, sellers can reach more customers online, are open 24/7 and potentially cuts advertising and marketing costs for sellers. E-commerce websites have been instrumental in globalizing products, and they generally charge a small commission or fee whenever an item is sold.

There are literally hundreds of online marketplaces selling general as well as specialized products. Some well-known examples are Amazon, Etsy, eBay, Walmart and several others.

What are the risks of using an e-commerce website?

Online marketplaces have existed since the advent of the internet, and while some sell products, others sell services or even experiences. Since these are fully digital and online, there are a number of associated risks.

• Data privacy has become the talk of the town, and e-commerce sites have been accused of selling your private data for profits
• While online marketplaces are global, all products sold on them may not be legal in every country
• Users often become victims of credit card frauds and online theft. Hackers are sophisticated enough to bypass a marketplace’s security systems
• Adware, malware and viruses are a common threat for online users

How to protect yourself from online marketplace frauds?

You may have often heard stories of cheating on websites like Craigslist, eBay, OLX, and even Facebook Marketplace. This is one way to loot people of their money. The other method is to create a whole fake marketplace itself and set up a front as a legitimate seller of goods when there is actually nothing to sell.

So, what can you do to stay safe, protect your hard-earned money, while also shopping that unique dress you saw on a random website?

• Credit cards are safer to use than debit cards, as the money has not actually been transferred and the bank could reverse it
• Always buy from established online marketplaces and avoid purchasing from new websites
• Ensure that your connection is secure by checking if there is a ‘lock’ icon in the address bar
• Check the address bar for irregularities as hackers often intercept payment requests and forward the customer to a cloned site
• Never make the payment offline or directly to the seller without involving an intermediary
• Be wary of unrealistic offers and discounts
• Only give details that are essential, such as your address and name for delivery. Sellers don’t ask for your social security, citizenship number, or tax identification number unless mandated by the government.
• Check for addresses, phone numbers and other communication details of the marketplace and seller

Also, check out our separate article on Online Marketplace Scams.

Reliable online marketplaces

So, we have compiled a list of reliable websites that you can visit for most of your shopping needs. Please note that some marketplaces operate only in select countries.