Tulfo to compete vs Shopee, Lazada with own e-commerce platform

MANILA, Philippines — For years, broadcast journalist Raffy Tulfo has been known as the masses’ go-to guy for a wide range of grievances  — from the personal to the professional.

With the recent launch of his Idol Shopping Network (ISN) – the local version of Shopee and Lazada – Tulfo won’t mind turning the tables around. He promises to welcome buyer complaints about ISN products, as soon as the network formally opens this month.

The feisty broadcaster explains that this is his way of ensuring that merchants and resellers deliver quality goods and his network’s reputation is cut above the rest.

“Our merchants and resellers are well-screened,” he added in an interview with Philstar.com.

“The selection process is long and strict. Sending a photo of the item for sale isn’t enough. We must see the item itself.”

And it doesn’t matter if the merchants and resellers are few, as long as they’re reliable.

To make sure clients are 100 percent satisfied, Tulfo stated that customers must sign a contract saying they agree to be videod and photographed while opening the package from the courier. They also sign a document that says the product is the right one and it is in good condition. If not, the client need not pay for his order.

Documentation is vital. Tulfo revealed that the client’s video and photos will automatically go to a system.

His experience involving the masses who run to him to seek justice they can’t get in court inspired Tulfo to put up ISN. Because they saw how people without any means suffered, Tulfo thought of opening a virtual market for small entrepreneurs like vegetable farmers and fruit vendors. This way, they can be self-reliant and help the economy as well.

Tulfo explained that his e-commerce platform provides opportunities for zero capital. All sellers need to do is to put their goods out there. If the merchandise passes quality control standards, ISN will include them in the platform and deliver the goods to buyers.

Tulfo’s long-term plan is to subsidize a school out of ISN’s profits. The earnings will go to such basic expenses as employee pay,  maintenance and others.

Tulfo’s children will take the front row in running ISN, while he and his wife will stay in the background to guide and support them.