My friend said that it is inadvisable to buy products advertised on Facebook or Apple (shown on iPad). They were usually priced at 3 times of similar products that are available on ecommerce websites like Lazada or Shopee.

I agree with him. I have experienced the over pricing on many occasions.

I often buy my products from The ecommerce websites. They are many suppliers for the same product and they have to offer competitive prices to get the business. (Some of them still charge exorbitant prices, hoping that the customer was not aware).

This is the effect of market competition.

I am able to compare prices, product features and reviews on the ecommerce websites. This information is often not available from the advertisements in Facebook and Apple.

This situation is similar to buying insurance from an insurance agent or advisor. The customer is offered only the products of the insurer (which the agent represents) and is not able to compare the prices and product features.

Some insurance companies offer products that give good value to customers, but some do not. They offer high commission to the agents to sell their products, often at the expense of the customer.

How should a customer buy insurance? I have already posted my views in many articles in https://fisca.sg. These articles are available to members.

Tan Kin Lian