Selected Filipino Faculty Members' Online Shopping Experience in Manila's Online Marketplace

Abstract

This study is current and applicable to the new norm of comprehending the experiences of online consumers on online marketplace pages. This study concentrated on the online shopping experiences and reactions of selected faculty members by identifying key observations, and consumer experiences on the web that emphasize browsing, purchasing, and online flow. The researchers used phenomenology as a qualitative research method to collect responses from twenty buyers who varied in consumer experience, gender, and age. The interview was tailored to each participant based on online information and a guide question. Results of the interviews revealed that some faculty members at a local university in Manila find online businesses to be both popular and convenient, while they can readily access online marketplaces. In addition, they purchase frequently using this platform due to the low prices, which is advantageous for them as consumers, although they are wary of con artists and fake buyers/sellers.  Meanwhile, the challenges encountered by buyers include product complexities and meet-up changes, as well as the central issues of online trust and social connection. Despite the fact that some product acquisitions are difficult, the study found that appropriateness, price setting, and seller connections kept customers purchasing on the online market. Despite offering valuable insights into the faculty members’ online purchasing experience, this research has a number of limitations. The study is predicated on a twenty-participant qualitative investigation that was conducted primarily in Manila. Consequently, future research should involve populations from different regions. Numerous opportunities exist for future research to build on these findings. The development of a typology of online encounters and circumstances is one of the suggested areas for future study.