From year to year, electronic commerce in Bosnia and Herzegovina has recorded higher growth, and the ads that are offered over the Internet are important in daily trade, as well as those in print media or on radio and TV stations. Citizens can very easily, via their computer, tablet or smart phone, participate in trading, auctions, buying, selling and renting, but just as the classic trade, its “online” version carries certain risks.
As the PR and brand manager of the portal PIK.ba Aida Raonić told eKapija.ba, new technologies have enabled customers simpler shopping, while saving time and money.
“This is probably the primary reason that online shopping is in the expansion. The advantages, in addition to saving time and money, also relate to a much larger variety of items, view of photos, greater geographic accessibility and review of the sellers’ credentials,” said Raonić.
She said that according to the internal statistics of PIK, items from the category of vehicles, mobile devices, techniques, real estate, business and industry are the most wanted.
“In this kind of business it is difficult to have concrete statistics because some people do not finish their articles (they do not publish that they committed a transaction) but keep the items on their profile, which is in conflict with the rules of use of the portal, or they simply delete the item. For this reason we do not have the exact number of sold or purchased articles through the Pik.ba site,” explained Raonić.
She said that, according to Gemius Audience, the share of the Pik.ba site in the domestic market is 36 percent.
“This data shows that 36 percent of BiH citizens use Pik.ba as a trading tool, which largely popularized the sale of vehicles and real estate via the Internet in BiH,” concluded Raonić.
Speaking about the risks of internet commerce, president of the Association for Consumer Protection Don from Prijedor, Murisa Marić, said that Bosnia and Herzegovina is still fertile ground for fraud over the Internet, because of lack of organization in internet store, which is on the rise.
She added that there were cases that the citizens paid for one product on different accounts, that they did not get the product they ordered or the product photos were false.
“When buying from foreign websites, such as eBbay, it happens that you get the product your ordered, but of lower quality. In Bosnia and Herzegovina there is still no control of internet commerce, and for the purpose of solving this problem state institutions must be involved,” said Marić.
She stated that the problem of lack of a state office for control of internet commerce.
“All of these stores without paying taxes, without any control, creates unsettled situation that allows individuals to easily benefit without responsibility. There must be offices that will monitor such a trade, not only is this a huge black market, but also for the reason that big frauds take place. Countries in the region, at least try to appeal to their citizens to be careful when shopping online. With us you can not see that someone from the institutions appeals to citizens,” explained Murić.
Raonić said the portal Pik.ba is fully committed to preventing any abuse through the Pik.ba site and that they sanction any violation of the rules on the use.
“The security of buyers or sellers is very important. The fact is that there is no possibility of hundred percent protection. The Pik administration, daily, through numerous articles based on the advice and educating of users via the Pik.ba blog, works to raise awareness and provide information about the possible consequences of buying or selling,” said Raonić.
She added that frauds through Pik are becoming increasingly rare.
“The reason for this is a very good cooperation with relevant institutions and sanctions for users who have committed fraud. Each user who contacts us and signs the application is recommended to apply to the relevant institutions (MoI), and report fraud. Furthermore, the procedure is that, when we receive a request from the respective institutions, we collect information about the user who is suspected to have committed the fraud, and deliver it as possible evidence,” said Raonić.
She underlined that the Pik.ba site, nor the company Pik d.o.o. bear no responsibility in case of any fraud.
“We are an ad site, except that we live in modern times and offer greater opportunities. It is important that every user reads the Terms of Use of the Pik.ba site and understands that there is no possibility of fraud that we can not disclose,” explained Raonić.
K.S.
(Source: ekapija.ba)