Online shoppers should be careful when buying on the Internet to avoid getting scammed by fake sellers.
Furniture store IKEA Singapore has warned netizens about a Facebook account bearing its name for claiming in a post that it is giving away sofas to random people who reply by typing "Ready" in the comment box, according to Mothership.sg.
The post from "Ikea fans" has photos showing various sofas in a large showroom, but IKEA Singapore posted a warning that it may be a scam.
"Please do not click or respond to the content and report it to FB immediately," the IKEA Singapore post read.
Scammers are also lurking on Facebook's Marketplace, where online stores sell anything. Mark and Kathy Fisher were lured by a Marketplace seller offering unclaimed and returned furniture at low prices.
The Fishers were attracted by a supposedly $175 patio set carrying the Home Depot logo and selling for only $39, Denver7.com reported. They ordered the furniture, paying the seller through PayPal.
Unfortunately, no furniture arrived and they could not refund their money from the unresponsive Marketplace seller. The fake seller apparently copied the Home Depot logo to lure victims.
With online scammers lurking on the Internet, it may be safe to buy furniture face-to-face from sellers or with the product available for physical inspection by prospective buyers. That's what some folks from Libacao and New Washington in Aklan province just did.
A delivery van carrying sofas recently visited their village, and the driver's companion offered the furniture for only P4,500 each, according to GMA News Feed. The sofa guy claimed the products' original price was P12,500.
Attracted by the bargain furniture, several residents bought sofas. A couple of weeks later, the couches were already worn out and beyond use as their cushioning sank. When they checked the inside of the sofa, there was no foam. Instead, it was stuffed with firewood and cardboard.
The furniture scam victims are not taking the matter sitting down and reported it to police in the hope of getting a refund. They were able to get the delivery truck's plate number for the police to track down the sofa scammers.
