Recent consumer experiences highlight a mix of savings and scams in the emerging trend of “agent ordering” services.
We spoke with Jack, a graduate student in Beijing, who shared his troubling experience: “I came across an ad for concert tickets priced at 399 yuan, plus an 80-yuan fee for the agent ordering service. I ended up paying a total of 479 yuan, only to later discover that I was required to pay a 1000-yuan deposit to log into their account.” Jack decided against paying the deposit and requested a refund, but he was met with silence after the seller blocked him.
Agent ordering, which involves customers selecting products and contacting intermediaries to place orders, has gained traction online. These intermediaries promise to help consumers access discounts and lower prices, typically charging a bit more than the discounted rates. However, numerous reports indicate that many consumers have encountered negative experiences with this practice.
In our investigation, we found consumers using agent ordering for various everyday purchases like fast food, coffee, and movie tickets. A quick search for “agent ordering” on popular platforms reveals a wealth of services, with some sellers boasting hundreds of thousands of transactions.
Opinions on agent ordering are decidedly mixed. Wang Shuo, a Beijing resident, frequently orders office lunches through these services. She shared her perspective: “It feels like a good deal if I can save the price of a coffee.” Yet her recent attempt to order a burger meal through an agent left her disappointed, as she received no food and had no way to contact the vendor.
Unfortunately, some consumers have fallen victim to outright scams. Mr. Du from Hangzhou spent 7.99 yuan on a discount voucher worth 15 yuan but ended up being charged over 10,000 yuan due to linked bank card transactions rather than receiving the promised discount.
There are even stories of travelers arriving at airports to find no flight or seat reservations under their names, and hotel guests being turned away because their bookings didn’t exist. These frustrations lead many to describe agent ordering as a “blind box” experience—where one risks substantial losses without any guaranteed reward.
Professor Chen Zhongyun from China University of Political Science and Law cautions about the risks involved with these services, noting that disputes can easily arise. He explains that many deals are specific to particular customers, and attempting to profit from them can lead to legal complications. Furthermore, agent ordering often involves sharing personal information, which raises privacy concerns.
Lawyer Xiong Chao from Beijing Jingshi Law Firm emphasizes that the contract in the agent ordering model is established between the agent and the seller, not the consumer. If issues arise regarding product quality or service, consumers must engage with the intermediary for resolution, which is not always a straightforward process.
Given these insights, experts advise consumers to exercise caution when using agent ordering services and to resist the temptation of chasing after perceived discounts that could ultimately lead to financial loss.
