It was not a pleasant surprise.
A netizen by the name of Anthony Enriquez alleged that online shopping site Lazada sent him a bar of laundry soap instead of the Lenovo tablet he originally ordered.
Enriquez’s “proof”: a now-viral video posted late last week which has been shared more than 196,000 times.
(Update: The post has since been taken down.)
The video shows a hand (presumably belonging to Enriquez’s friend) using a pair of scissors to open what was allegedly the package from Lazada.
Once opened, the person removes the bubble wrap from a smaller box that was found inside the package. The smaller box had a photo of an electronic tablet printed on the surface.
The person opens the smaller box, only to discover a bar of laundry soap inside.
Enriquez’s post comes with this caption in Filipino: “Lazada has just delivered this. I ordered a Lenovo tablet online but when we opened it, it had one Surf [laundry] soap. I hope this is solved by the management and everyone concerned. I’m really disappointed.”
In the comments section, Enriquez added: “There are thieves inside [Lazada’s office] or with their courier. And some people from the provinces end up paying PHP12,000 (USD$224) without opening the package in front of the delivery boy. Besides, this lady [who opened the package], she’s not rude who will just curse if the product is wrong. She knows the right process when she complains.”
Netizens’ comments were varied.
One netizen by the name of Mark Anthonie Avila Mugot appeared suspicious of the video and wrote in a mix of Filipino and English: “Why does it seem like you already know the contents? Like this, you actually took a video before opening it. I have ordered a cellphone from Lazada which was from Hong Kong. It was okay. I really received a cellphone.”
Chinkee Santos Marantal wrote: “I have ordered more than 20 times from Lazada, from TV, machine, shoes, supplements, toys, milk bottles, speakers, weighing scales, sooo many more. They never failed me, as I prefer buying in [sic] Lazada….[B]ut this one, sorry ha but why do I feel this is scripted.”
Another commenter appeared enraged. “My God. They’re scammers,” wrote Love Matalay.
One person by the name of Aaron Barnedo simply gave a few tips when shopping online.
“Remember, Lazada is composed of [a] group of sellers. Make sure the seller you buy from have (sic) an exsisting (sic) reputation by checking their VERIFIED Purchases and Feedbacks. Buy wisely,” he wrote in English and Filipino.
Coconuts Manila has contacted Enriquez and Lazada for an interview but they have not replied as of this article’s posting.
However, in a Facebook post directed at our associate editor, Lazada said the issue is now under investigation.
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