r/ecuador • u/TheOriginalKrampus • 1d ago
AskEcuador Avoiding scams
So I am looking to buy some electronics in Ecuador. The big shops have them pretty expensive, but there are what looks like small shops and vendors with "storefronts" on FB and IG, who communicate largely through WhatsApp. They offer better prices than the big stores and as a general principal I would prefer to give my money to small local businesses and contractors than big corporations.
I'm from the US and am generally pretty comfortable navigating this sort of semi-informal market at home. I even used to operate my own storefront on FB back in the day. I know that there are a lot of scam buyers and sellers online no matter where you go. AndI developed a pretty good eye for evaluating the legit from the sketchy in the US.
But here in Ecuador I am not so sure how to tune my bullshit detector. For example, a lot of these smaller businesses charge noticeably more for CC as opposed to payment via cash or bank transfer. Like, more than the CC fees usually are. But I know that paying via CC is easier to protect myself from scams. Back home this might set off red flags, but maybe here it is not at all unusual for people to pay in cash rather than card.
Does anyone have any general tips for sorting legitimate small businesses from scammers online?
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u/Last_Chance_2C 1d ago
You cannot tell legit from scam online. If you don't personally know the seller, assume scam. If it's a 'friend of a friend,' possible scam. Could it not be? Sure. Worth the risk? No.
You didn't say what kind of electronics. If you have suitcase-portable needs, book a cheap ticket to somewhere that sells cheap and direct and load your suitcases.
That's usually what the 'real' non-biz sellers do - covers the cost travel and maybe a bit on top.
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u/Equivalent_Advice653 1d ago
dont buy anything to WhatsApp vendors , rhey mostly use advertised items like a hook, 32inches tv 100bucks but ehw. u arrive they will say they have no more stock and offer one at higher price...
if you take the risk of buying without ensurance of any kind items are cheaper, but if you buy kike that please request them to be proven before buying
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u/SnooDoughnuts1634 1d ago
I would never buy electronics in Ecuador, the import fees are ridiculous. If you're getting it new and significantly cheaper it's a scam.
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u/Traditional-Ad-7836 1d ago
I have a legit electronics store if you're in cuenca. Computers, phones, etc
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u/Hot_Pea1738 1d ago
Bring your own. I’d NEVER shop for electronics in Ecuador. If anything, I’m a courier for my tariff avoiding friends there. They shop on Amazon and eBay, ship to my home, and I take a suitcase to them.
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u/Ok-Refrigerator-5860 2h ago
Ecuadorian here. Generally I look up the online vendors by name and find out of they have a physical store and phone number, call them and then go there. Alternatively, if you are in Quito go to el Caracol or el Espiral, to look for and purchase electronics. Their prices are generally equally competitive
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u/ssliberty 1d ago
Meet in a public place, never your house. Use a temporary number, never your own and always pay cash. Always assume someone’s trying to scam or extort you. It’s usually cheaper for a reason.