Six questions to ask a store before you order
When you buy through chat, you cannot pick up the product or look at the shelf. You only have what the store tells you. Six short questions fill most of that gap.
A good store is glad to answer them, because clear answers mean fewer problems later for both sides. You only need to ask once, and you can ask in the same chat where you are already talking.
1. Is it still available?
Stock can change fast, especially for one-of-a-kind and pre-owned items. Ask first, before you spend time on anything else. If you need a day to decide, ask whether the store can hold it for you and for how long.
2. Can I see more photos, or a short video, of the actual item?
The photos on a product page may not show every side. A close-up or a short video of the item itself shows you what will arrive. A store that has the item in hand can usually send one quickly. If a photo looks like it was borrowed from somewhere else, asking for one of the real item is a fair request.
3. What condition is it in, and does it have any flaw?
New, like new, used: these words mean different things to different people. Ask about marks, scratches, missing parts and whether the box is included. A good store tells you about a flaw plainly, because it would rather you know before you pay than be upset when it arrives.
4. What is the total price, and how long will delivery take?
Ask for one full amount: the product, the shipping fee and any other charge. Ask which courier will be used and about how many days to expect. It helps to have the number in writing, so there is no surprise later.
5. How do I pay, and who receives the payment?
Ask which payment methods the store accepts and who the payment goes to. After you pay, keep your receipt or a screenshot, and keep the chat. If a payment detail does not match what the store told you, ask before you send anything.
6. What happens if it arrives damaged or is not what I ordered?
Ask whether the store accepts returns, exchanges or refunds, and how long you have to report a problem. Policies are different from store to store. What matters is that you know the answer before you pay, and that it is written in the chat.
What a clear answer sounds like
A clear answer is specific: a number, a name, a date. "Yes, it is available, and I can send a video in five minutes" is clear. A reply that ignores your question, or one that keeps hurrying you to pay before you have your answers, is a reason to slow down.
One unclear answer proves nothing, because a busy store can be slow or can phrase things badly. Several in a row are a good reason to wait, or to buy from another store.
Sulitista does not handle payment or delivery. Those happen between you and the store, so ask these questions in the chat before you pay.
Cover photo: Kampus Production, Pexels.