Shopping via social networks such as Facebook, Instagram or TikTok is becoming increasingly popular. However, stylish advertising, videos and attractive product photos can confuse buyers, which is exploited by unfair sellers, mainly from non-European countries, and by fraudsters with no intention of shipping any goods or sending products of a completely different quality than advertised. How to spot them and not be fooled? If you have thought about purchasing a “mystery box” with a surprise, this article is also for you.

On social media, it is often unclear who is behind a new or previously unknown store. Is the seller’s address, email, phone number and sufficient terms and conditions missing? Consider the purchase well. You don’t know whether the goods will be delivered from outside the EU, whether you will have to pay customs duty or where to send your withdrawal and returned goods. Too much expressive complimentary comments from “satisfied customers” in the comments section can be misleading. Also, try checking independent reviews on the internet.

Some sellers lure customers into suspiciously advantageous competitions where the participant wins nothing, or discount promotions where you end up paying more than advertised.

Social media purchases often require payment by bank transfer, where there is no way to get your money back in the event of a problem if the goods are not delivered or the seller does not refund the money on withdrawal. It’s different for card payments, where the consumer’s bank may use a tool called chargeback to get the money back. Similar refund options are offered by e-payment platforms.

The so-called “mystery boxes” are a fashionable phenomenon, attracting surprises that are popular among people. This involves buying a package with only generally specified contents, typically “electronics”. Sellers claim that these are unopened returns from customers of various e-shops who withdrew from the contract. While this may seem like a great way to get valuable items at a low price, there is a risk behind it. Consumers often receive poor quality goods with significantly less value than the amount paid, or they may be faulty or damaged products.

For example, a Czech consumer who contacted the European Consumer Centre received inflatable balloons and plastic figurines instead of small electronics, such as the expected power bank etc.

Many sellers of ‘mystery boxes’ refuse to communicate with consumers at all in such cases of breach of contract. They also do not accept the possibility of returning the goods if the consumer has unpacked the mystery box packages and found that the items delivered do not suit them.

At the start of the Christmas online shopping season, it is advisable to be wary of seemingly good deals and to check them out if they are from so far unknown sellers.

The text was published in dTest magazine 10/2024.