New report suggests majority of shoppers still wary of online marketplaces
While nearly a third of Ontarians have considered using peer-to-peer (P2P) marketplace sites like Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji in search of a deal — specifically because of the rising cost of living — most are reluctant to do so.
Jamie-Lynn Eckhardt says she would never meet someone in person based on an online sale.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
"I don't want to meet a random person in a parking lot that I've never met for a $20 chair off of Kijiji," she said.
Like many others, she has concerns. "I think as a woman buying things online, there's definitely a safety component to it and I value my safety. So I would just rather not," she tells CTV News Ottawa.
Findings from the Ontario Benchmark Report on Trust in Peer-to-Peer Marketplace Transactions found that three quarters (74 per cent) of Ontarians are uncomfortable when it comes to meeting up in-person to complete transactions and exchange goods.
Issued by portable digital identity platform goConfirm in partnership with Angus Reid, the report released Tuesday finds that 60 per cent of Ontarians are uncomfortable organizing in-person meetups to exchange goods purchased via online P2P marketplaces because of increased news reports on trending scams and frauds across popular platforms.
According to the report, women are more likely to feel uncomfortable (79 per cent) than men are (67 per cent) when it comes to organizing in-person meetups to exchange goods.
"I think peer-to-peer marketplaces have so much power to bring people together to allow for the second-hand economy to really thrive. And I think the fact that people are beginning to get concerned about what's happening there and shy away from using them as much as they can is a real lost opportunity," Kirk Simpson, cofounder and CEO of goConfirm, tells CTV News Ottawa.
Among those who feel uneasy about completing P2P transactions in-person, verifying the identity of a marketplace seller or buyer was identified as a solution that would make more than three quarters (78 per cent) of respondents feel more comfortable, according to goConfirm.
Brian Peterkin uses online marketplace sites often, and says he stays vigilant.
"It's really good deals and it works," he tells CTV News Ottawa. "I might go with a friend, but I am not worried. I just go because when you deal with the people (such as) on the phone, you can get a sense of their sincerity and honesty."
The Ottawa Police Service has created 'Safe Trade Zones' at Police Stations in Orléans, Kanata, and at headquarters on Elgin Street. While not monitored 24/7, police say the idea is to take transaction away from secluded parking lots of private residences
In December, police warned of an increase in personal robberies, linked to online marketplaces.
The police service suggests :
- Consult the profile of the buyer/seller to see if they have an established profile. Use caution when dealing with newly created accounts.
- Check the buyer/seller's reviews or ratings to see if there are red flags.
- If the price of the item seems too good to be true, it probably is. Don't proceed with the sale.
- Meet during daylight hours if you're planning to meet in person. Any last-minute changes to the location should also be considered a red flag. We recommend you walk away from the exchange rather than go to a second location.
- Avoid vacant parking lots or properties when you meet with the other party.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before Jasper can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes "for several weeks."
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
'He was just gone': Police ramp up search for vulnerable 3-year-old boy in Mississauga, Ont.
Police in Mississauga are conducting a full-scale search of the city’s biggest park for a non-verbal toddler who went missing Thursday evening. Sgt. Jennifer Trimble told reporters Friday morning that there has been no trace of three-year-old Zaid Abdullah since 6:20 p.m., when he was last seen with his parents in Erindale Park, near Dundas Street West and Mississauga Road.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O’Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six figure water bill.
Health Canada warns some naloxone kits contain false instructions
Health Canada is warning some take-home naloxone kits come with bad instructions that should be ignored in favour of the correct guidance.
Paris dazzles with a rainy Olympics opening ceremony on the Seine River
Celebrating its reputation as a cradle of revolution, Paris kicked off its first Summer Olympics in a century on Friday with a rain-soaked, rule-breaking opening ceremony studded with stars and fantasy along the Seine River.