Why I Would Never Trust Buy&Ship

February 22, 2025

In today’s digital age, online shopping has become a convenient way to purchase items from around the world. However, with the convenience comes the risk of unforeseen issues, especially when dealing with international shipping and third-party services. My recent experience with Buy&Ship and NinjaVan is a perfect example of how things can go wrong, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding your rights as a consumer.

My experience with Buy&Ship had been decent in the past. I had used their services to ship smaller items without any major issues. However, my latest purchase—a brand-new Samsung Z Fold6 worth nearly $1,000 USD—turned out to be a nightmare. I purchased the item on eBay and opted for Buy&Ship to handle the international shipping to the Philippines.

When the item arrived in the Philippines, it was handed over to NinjaVan for the final delivery. Unfortunately, NinjaVan lost the package, leaving me with no phone and a significant financial loss. When I reached out to NinjaVan, they informed me that they would refund Buy&Ship for the lost item. However, when I contacted Buy&Ship, they told me that their terms and conditions only allowed for a $100 USD refund.

This response was shocking. $100 USD seemed like a minimal amount compared to the 1,000 USD I had spent. To make matters worse, when I tried to raise my concerns on Buy&Ship’s social media pages, I was blocked on Facebook and Instagram. Even my family members, who tried to help me voice my concerns, were blocked. It felt like they were trying to silence me rather than addressing the issue.

Feeling frustrated and defeated, I decided to do some research on my rights as a consumer. That’s when I came across Republic Act No. 7394, also known as the Consumer Act of the Philippines. This law is designed to protect consumers like you and me from unfair business practices.

Under this law, consumers are entitled to a full refund, repair, or replacement if a service is not delivered as promised. In my case, the item was lost in transit, which clearly falls under a failure to deliver the promised service. The law also states that businesses cannot use their terms and conditions to override consumer rights if those terms are deemed unfair or one-sided.

This realization gave me hope. It turns out that Buy&Ship’s $100 USD refund policy might not be enforceable if it goes against the Consumer Act. I also learned that businesses like Buy&Ship and NinjaVan have a responsibility to ensure that items are delivered safely and that consumers are treated fairly.

Other Articles