Personally I have never participated in an online spree. Not unless you count the ones I organize or the ones my friends that I know and trust organize. But join an online spree from a forum? Never because I’m a bit paranoid like that.
An online spree or an online bulk purchase is usually where one person places a large online order (usually to save on shipping fees or to get wholesale prices) on behalf of a number of different spree participants. Payment is usually made up front and when the order is received, the person running the spree will distribute and send out the items ordered to the different participants.
All very good if it is well run in an orderly fashion and if items are received in good order and condition and the person running the spree is organized. That makes it a win-win situation for all. Not good if you meet someone disorganized or who just disappears after a while, usually after taking your money. Since orders from overseas can take a while to get in, sometimes up to a month, it can be a nervous waiting process for both spree participants and person running the online spree.
However, I know of many who do participate in such online sprees, usually to buy items online from other countries so I thought a reminder is timely. I came across an article in a Singapore newspaper a little while ago which serves as a warning (article above).
In that incident, a lady set up an online spree purportedly to bulk purchase Coach bags from the USA at a purported discount. After collecting all the money, usually paid into bank accounts, she went incommunicado, failing to answer emails and refusing to take phone calls. It was not until the participants lodged a police report that the spree organizer was arrested.
So for spree participants, there are a number of things you can bear in mind when planning to take part in an online spree:-
- When something looks to good to be true – it usually is. If it is for branded goods that are purportedly heavily discounted, be wary. If you don’t receive a fake you’d be lucky to receive anything at all. Ask your questions but if you start getting evasive answers, stay away.
- Check the reputation of the spree organizer. Most online forums have a way of checking the authenticity or veracity of a particular organizer. If the positive comments outweigh the negative comments, then they might be more trustworthy. If many people have reported good experiences with them, then its usually safer. Its not to say that they won’t turn coat, but the odds are less.
- Check how the organizer deals with problems. Sometimes an order gets messed up or a wrong product is received. Check feedback to see how the organizer dealt with the problem. If you have someone that takes a very aggressive stance, I’d stay away too. But that’s me.
- Check how organized the organizer is. Did they send out their items quickly? Did they send a confirmation that they have received your payment? Did they let you know the products have been received and when you should expect to receive your items? These are something an organized person would do so see if there are complaints along these lines. I’d be wary of someone who fails to communicate because it might mean they have disappeared off the face of the earth… with your money.
Have you participated in an online spree before? Have you had mostly good experiences or have you had any bad ones? Do share any tips that you feel online spree participants should take note of.
Stay beautiful,
Paris B
hmmmm so far participated 2 online spree, just only recently.
makeup though
i don’t dare to buy clothes/bags online, somehow these 2 types of product have to buy one-on-one
Hi Eliza
I don’t buy clothes and bags online too even from online merchants because its so hard to tell quality from pictures.
Great post, PB! I’m an avid online spree participant and I’ve learned to be smart about it. Knowing the reputation of the spreer is very important and if I don’t like how a certain spreer handles the spree after 1 or 2 experiences, I’ll usually stop buying until the person is stable or go for a more reliable person even though the rates are slightly higher. Also, I try not to do huge purchases.
But now that I have swap buddies, I’m participating less in sprees!
Hey Connie
Thanks! Sprees look like fun and are tempting especially to get stuff we can’t get here or are more expensive here, but I think I’ll stick to friends or people I know to get them for me 🙂
I would say keep the value of your purchase small so that your risk isn’t large. I had no problems until one recent spree. I have yet to receive my items and she only replied me this morning that the item has been shipped out like 2 days ago when payment was made 2 months ago. The item only cost $25 so it’s not a big purchase which makes me edgy. But still, it can be an annoying wait.
Hi Sesame
Thanks for the tip about keeping purchases small. Some people might get greedy which is when the problem starts I guess.
Sometimes even when you get your product there could be indicators that the seller isn’t reliable. When I got some of my stuff like make up, the packaging was gone! Or even clothing, there wasn’t a plastic wrapper. I once got a lip balm with its protective seal gone (I had previously purchased so I knew there was a seal).
Even though the products come and it looks unused and everything seems settled, these flaws can reveal to you how the seller could just be organizing this to “inspect” things they don’t buy.
Hi Jasmine
Thank you for sharing your experiences. Its sad that organizers would stoop to this level when they could just as easily buy their own.
Never participated in one and just like you, I am paranoid with that! I’d rather have someone I really trust to help me purchase and pay him/her extra rather than joining from people I don’t know 🙂
Hi Nikki
LOL… I guess we are just 2 paranoid people in a sea of less paranoid ones 😀
i haven’t shopped online with my own CC. But i have paypal and asked my friend in the US to buy things for me and then i paid her. i never bought a lot atonce though. just 2 or 3 items as i go. buying bulk isn’t my thing i guess.
Hi Jojoba
Yeah I’d prefer to deal one on one too rather than in a large group.
Ooh this is the first I’ve heard of this. Sounds risky. Thanks for the warning PB.
Hey Monstro
I guess its not all as risky as it looks. Ebay is pretty risky too! But one can never be too careful! 😉
I’ve participated in 2 sprees recently from reliable spreers and so far so good….just have to do ur homework before buying. But thanks for the heads up PB!
Hi Jessica
Yep! Homework is important when it comes to sprees just like buying off auctions like I used to 🙂
I agree with Jessica.. its a matter of you doing your homework before joining in a spree. I’ve been in a few, and haven’t had any problem with any of them.
Hi Feruzie
I guess you did your homework well and have been careful! Also luck sometimes counts and I guess you’ve been lucky too! 🙂
i buy most of my stuff from sprees, but I guess I am lucky that I have not encounter any big problems *touch wood*, but like your tip goes, which works wonders albeit time consuming and maybe even a little troublesome, but it really helps to minimize the risk of buying off from sprees 🙂
Hi Plue
So long as you stay careful and vigilant and do your homework, I’m sure you’d be fine. Happy spreeing!
I’ve been tempted a few times to join sprees but caution won out in the end…
Hey rinnah
You and me both!
I think I’m capable of abusing my credit card on my own, lol!
LOL Jamilla
I’m afraid I must agree with this one! 😉
I’ve not participated on an online spree before, although I have been tempted to, especially on items which aren’t available here. Don’t know if it’d be worth the hassle, if I’d get the products, if the organiser’s dodgy, etc. Hmmmm…
Hi Tine
Do they have sprees in Australia too? I guess we’d have to weigh the hassles vs getting something we want that we can’t get or can get cheaper elsewhere.
Some spree sites have administrators that request and verify records of the spree organizers(scanned I/c, address, phone number). So those sites may be safer as the organizers can be more easily tracked down in the event of fraud.
Hi yanmonster
Thanks for the heads up. I guess people wanting to join sprees should consider this option.
I’ve never a part of online spree. The only place where I’ve bought my cosmetics from is HQHair.com. The are a couple of things I usually buy from online stores such as designer fabrics and craft supplies.
Hi Amanda
Than again, most online stores will ship to Europe but not here which is why online sprees are hale and hearty in this part of the world 😉
Great Post !~
It helps to highlight what lots of online shoppers should actually take notice.
I’m an avid online shopper. Joining both Singapore sprees and Malaysia Sprees. I prefer to join those more experienced spree organizers actually. As they have more experience and know what to do when things goes awry (Items not in parcel, goes missing, etc etc). Plus its easier to check on their feedback.
Actually not only sprees, online shopping, even just buying an used item online, one do need to tread carefully as well. Usually the sellers would post who bought what, if they do, I’ll usually check on those people, as well. Sometimes pm-ing them to enquire about the seller. There have been cases in which cheaters would create another new account to pretend to be a new buyer/spree-er, in order to look as if they are trustworthy and had done transactions before.
Thus, I prefer to deal with those organizers/sellers whom I had dealt with before and am satisfied/happy with their services. Even if their rates is higher than some new-comers, but seriously, I don’t really mind paying extra for a peace of mind. For new sellers, I rather keep the value of my purchase small, so that if anything goes awry, its still not too bad. lol.
Buying stuff online is very fun but its very risky as well. So please please take some time out, do some research before commiting your money into the unknown seller. Its better than tearing your hair out and crying over spilt milk if the seller should run away / disappear.
Hi Renz
Thank you for your input and advice too! I must agee, most of the tips apply also to online shoppers. Its easy to get conned but its just as easy to prevent getting conned by being a little bit more careful 🙂
Just wanted to say that I literally get all my stuff from Ebay USA eg: makeup, clothes, bags – I just think they’re nicer and affordable (even with the shipping).
As for sprees, I’ve participated in a few as well, but I always make sure they’re trusthworthy based on their previous spree customer feedback. I don’t know what I’ll do without online shopping and sprees!