9 Tips for Making Online Grocery Shopping Safer and More Efficient

With Filipinos experiencing greater financial prosperity amidst the country’s digital transformation, many of the seemingly permanent aspects of day-to-day living have begun to change. As one key example, the growth of e-commerce and financial technology has completely altered how Filipinos shop for their groceries. 

Since the online shopping boom of the early 2020s, busy Filipinos have wholeheartedly switched to online grocery shopping to save time, energy, and even money. Although shopping for groceries over the internet has been around for a while, it’s only recently that more people have begun to appreciate the specific benefits. Thanks to growing incomes and the emergence of new payment products, you’ll find much to love when you shop for essentials online.

However, even as online grocery shopping becomes more popular, shoppers must exercise caution to secure the safety of their payment information and also to ensure they’re getting good deals online. Whether you’re new to online grocery shopping or an e-commerce veteran, try these tips to make your experience safer and more efficient:

1. Look For Cashback and Reward Programs

The online shopping landscape is reaching new heights of competition, with payment providers and platforms all offering innovative promos to earn your loyalty. For instance, the Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card by Maya gives you cashback rewards on most purchases, even online purchases made outside of Landers stores. Likewise, e-commerce platforms like online marketplaces and in-house shopping apps such as those made by Landers also offer rewards to encourage your patronage. Do your research to find which services and platforms make the most sense for your lifestyle.

2. Choose Reputable Stores and Platforms

There are plenty of popular brands that are well-established among shoppers in the Philippines, but they aren’t the only ones. New platforms, small businesses, and products are always coming out with promises of delivering a better shopping experience. However, behind great online shopping experiences are very complex operations and new players don’t always have the efficiency offered by bigger players, even if they have good promos. Always check reviews and ratings from other customers to gauge the service’s credibility before engaging with them.

3. Secure Your Payment Information

The convenience of digital payments always comes with a need for enhanced security. Never shop on websites that do not offer secure payment gateways, since these can expose your payment details to unauthorized parties. Look for websites that have HTTPS in their URL and NEVER use your credit cards on suspicious sites.

There are also credit cards (like the above-mentioned Landers credit card) with a dynamic CVV or card verification value. This security feature generates a CVV that is valid only for the next 24 hours and that also changes every time the card’s details are viewed in the Maya app. So, even if your card gets stolen or accessed by a cyber criminal, they can’t use your credit card because they will not have the correct CVV. 

4. Create a Shopping List in Advance

The convenience of online shopping can make impulse buying worse than it is in traditional stores. As always, planning is key to cost-efficient grocery shopping on any platform. Write down the items you need before you start browsing to avoid potentially unnecessary expensive purchases. Stay focused on the essentials and you’ll find it much easier to avoid impulse buys.

5. Compare Prices Across Platforms

One of the perks of online grocery shopping is the ability to compare prices without having to waste hours visiting multiple brick-and-mortar stores. Make it a habit to check prices, special offers, and delivery costs on various websites before completing your order. 

6. Check Delivery Times

If you’re not in a rush, you can usually opt for standard delivery to save money. Every platform has its own fee structure for different delivery times, so be aware of these before you commit to buying.

7. Inspect the Product Quality Upon Delivery

When your groceries arrive, take the time to inspect your orders, particularly fragile or perishable items. For health and safety reasons, always make sure your produce, dairy items, and meats are in good condition before accepting them. If something looks off, report it to the delivery platform immediately for a refund or replacement.

8. Schedule Your Deliveries

Some online platforms allow you to schedule deliveries at a convenient time, ensuring you can actually meet the delivery rider when you’re at home. This ensures that perishables and frozen goods won’t be left sitting outside for too long.

9. Choose a Platform With Easy Repurchase Features

If you buy pretty much the same things from week to week, use a platform that simplifies repeat purchases. These do away with the need to go through the entire catalog every time you need to order.

Is It Time to Give Online Shopping a Try?

Online grocery shopping is undeniably a practical solution for upwardly mobile Filipinos who don’t always have the time to shop at a traditional palengke or supermarkets. With payment options like the aforementioned Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card, these busy shoppers can even save when they shop online—gaining back the time that they would have spent buying essentials and also increasing their wealth in the process. You can also have additional peace of mind, knowing that your card details are protected by advanced security features like daily spending limits and dynamic CVVs.

Shop around for the right cards and online platforms and give regular online shopping a try. Once you’ve tried these tips, you may end up preferring having your weekly groceries delivered straight to your door.

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