How Risky Is Buying Sacrificial Animals Online?

With a few weeks remaining before Eid-ul-Azha, the biggest Muslim festival in Bangladesh, many are reluctant to go to the cattle market due to coronavirus.

In Dhaka, Chittagong, Narayanganj and Gazipur, the National Advisory Committee on Kovid-19 has strongly advised not to set up any kind of cattle market.

The committee is made up of specialist doctors from Bangladesh. Health experts have also advised the elderly, children and the sick not to go to the market.

Online shops have come forward to solve this problem. These websites have started selling cows at various prices.

Dhaka North City Corporation has launched a platform called 'Digital Hut' to sell cows online, along with the government's IT department, e-commerce association of Bangladesh and Bangladesh Dairy Farm Association.

But how safe is it to buy sacrificial cows online? What are the things that customers should pay special attention to?

Why buy sacrificial cows online?

Mohsinuzzaman Khan, a resident of Mirpur in Dhaka, bought a cow for sacrifice from an online shop selling cows.

Mr. Khan, head of a private organization said, "It's hard to get out because of the coronavirus, there's a security risk," Khan said. Going to the cattle market is also inconvenient. So all in all, I have decided to buy cows online this time.

Another potential buyer, businessman Ibrahim Munshi, says, "It will be risky to go to the cattle market this year. That's why there are a lot of crowds, there is mud in the rain. So this time I am thinking of buying cows online. However, I am still checking and sorting. I will make a decision in a few days. "

The main reasons for buying cows from online shops are going to the market or avoiding crowds, they said. Since the seller will deliver the cow to the house before Eid, they also think it is convenient for them.

How to buy cows online

Tito Rahman, chief executive of Desigarubidi.com, an online cattle seller, says that by entering the website, buyers will be able to make initial choices by looking at pictures of cows of different sizes and prices.

They can then be contacted by telephone if necessary. If the buyer wants, he can watch the video of the cow through video call and also talk to the cow keeper.

If you like, you have to pay half the money first. This money can be deposited by credit card or bank transfer. Then the cow was booked.

The cow will be delivered one or two days before Eid. Then the rest of the money has to be paid by cash or credit card.

What is the risk of online shopping?

The cost of buying animals like cows online can range from half a lakh to several lakh rupees.

But in such cases, just by looking at the pictures, how safe is it to order the purchase of cows online?

Mohsinuzzaman Khan says, "I told them from the website where I bought the cow that I should be shown the cow through a video call. They arranged to show me. Then I placed the order. "

Tito Rahman, chief executive of Desigarubidi.com, an online cattle seller, says, "We are actually coordinating buyers with farmers. On the one hand, just as the farmers are being helped, the buyers can also buy cows safely without the hassle of the conventional market.

Earlier, after buying cows through various websites, some customers complained that they did not get the desired cows as promised.

However, Tito Rahman says, “Our online shop will be responsible for everything from paying the price of cows to supplying the cows. Even if we collect cows from the farm work, we will have the full responsibility. If the cow has ears, tail cut, color is not right, then the buyer can replace the cow or get a refund.

Cows are being reared on farms in different parts of the country. These organizations provide cows from the farm owners.

Muhammad Abdul Wahed Tamal, General Secretary of the E-Commerce Association of Bangladesh, said, “Our organization is taking responsibility for the members who have participated in the Digital Market. Because all the genuine farms and cows are being raised here for sale. As a result, our association is taking the guarantee of their payment and delivery.

What kind of precautions should be taken while buying cows online?

Muhammad Abdul Wahed Tamal, general secretary of the E-Commerce Association of Bangladesh, suggests that cows should be thoroughly checked before buying only from Facebook-based or unfamiliar websites. Especially if they buy cows from trusted websites.

"Before buying from any website, you should check its credibility. Previous buyer reviews can be viewed if needed. It should also be seen whether it is a member of the e-commerce association.

He advises that before making the payment, the conditions should be checked and it should be understood whether they will get healthy cows or not. Under what conditions and how the cows will be supplied, they should be specially understood. If necessary, the seller should talk to the company about these issues and make it clear.

If there is a complaint against any member organization of e-cab, their association can take action. But e-cab is not included, if there is a complaint against such organizations, they will have nothing to do.

Mohsinuzzaman Khan, the buyer of the cattle, says, “Before finalizing the order, I took a good look at the cow in a video call. Then when the delivery is done, there is a chance to see.

Most of the companies charge separate delivery charges for the supply of cows. It is better to talk about it beforehand.

The weight of the cow may be less or more as there is a gap of a few weeks between deliveries compared to the time of purchase. Talk to the seller about these things and make it clear.

Online seller organization sales.com has suggested buying cows on their website, first of all you should talk to the seller and find out if they are making a good offer. The picture of the cow from the seller should be checked more thoroughly, if necessary, it can be seen by video call. Cows can be verified in practice by meeting directly with the seller for a better view. If a seller does not want to show the cows clearly, then it is better not to buy cows from such sellers.

The buying and selling company further suggested that the price should be fixed by checking the local market and online market before finalizing the price of cattle. Just as it is doubtful if the price is too low, you should also be safe from cheating with the price too high. The price has to be paid only after 100% confirmation. The best cow is to pay the price in cash after getting it in hand.

Tito Rahman, chief executive of DesigruBD.com, said, "Whether the cow is healthy, how reliable the website is, whether it is government-approved, etc. should be checked before paying the price." That is why it is better to take some time to check and sort if needed. Many times there are offers to sell unusually low priced cows on Facebook. But it is better not to be deceived by them.

Source: BBC