OnBuy.com, launched in November 2016 by UK entrepreneur Cas Paton, is a marketplace that positions itself as an alternative to giants like Amazon and eBay. It has grown rapidly, offering over 35 million product listings and expansions into multiple countries. Reviews about its service, however, reveal mixed outcomes—ranging from raving fans to disappointed buyers. Here’s a structured breakdown of what users are saying.
1. Origins & Business Model
Founded in 2016 and backed by £5 million in 2020 and £35 million in 2021, OnBuy has climbed the ranks in the UK e-commerce space reviews.io+3realreviews.io+3reviews.io+3thesun.co.uk+1en.wikipedia.org+1en.wikipedia.org. The platform doesn’t hold stock itself but acts as a broker connecting third-party retailers to consumers—emphasizing fairness and transparency. It also offers “OnBuy Protection” for eligible items up to 180 days post‑purchase thesun.co.uk+1onbuy.com+1.
In mid‑2025, it even took over the legacy British electronics brand Comet, aiming to revive it as a digital-first venture en.wikipedia.org.
2. The Good: Deals, Range & Speed (Mostly)
- Wide product range at competitive prices
OnBuy frequently pops up as the cheapest option for electronics and more. A Reviews.io user notes:
“Can find the items I want at excellent prices….cannot be beaten. It’s a go to for shopping especially for toys.” en.wikipedia.org+10reviews.io+10reviews.io+10
Another reviewer praised getting a Samsung Galaxy Watch at lower cost than the official site, with timely delivery and tracking updates reviews.io+1onbuy.com+1. - Market coverage
With over 35 million items and expansion across 140 countries, OnBuy now rivals major platforms on product availability reddit.com+4thesun.co.uk+4en.wikipedia.org+4. - OnBuy Protection
Buyers gain peace of mind via up to 180 days of protection—useful if delivery issues or misrepresented items arise reddit.com+2thesun.co.uk+2onbuy.com+2.
3. The Bad: Delivery, Customer Service & Quality Issues
Despite the positives, many buyers report:
- Delivery problems
Common frustrations include cancelled orders, wrong items dispatched, fake tracking numbers, and items never arriving—delivered or otherwise onbuy.pissedconsumer.com+3reviews.io+3onbuy.com+3. - Seller accountability issues
Since OnBuy doesn’t keep stock, responsibility lies with sellers. When problems occur—like faulty items or misdescriptions—buyers say contacting sellers can be frustrating or futile en.wikipedia.org+10onbuy.pissedconsumer.com+10forums.moneysavingexpert.com+10reviews.io+2onbuy.pissedconsumer.com+2onbuy.com+2. - Poor customer service
Numerous complaints highlight delayed refunds, lack of contact options, and dismissive responses. Some say OnBuy shifts blame to payment processors (PayPal or cards) instead of taking responsibility onbuy.com+2thesun.co.uk+2reddit.com+2onbuy.pissedconsumer.com+2onbuy.pissedconsumer.com+2forums.moneysavingexpert.com+2. - Counterfeit goods
Reviews mention receiving fake Apple chargers, speakers with wrong plugs, or scratched items in generic packaging reviews.io.
4. Community Feedback: Reddit & Forums
Reddit users voice polarized views—some report fast, smooth experiences; others worry about copying or fakes. A UK user on r/cricut commented:
“It’s a hit and miss OnBuy. They need to regulate counterfeit goods and bogus sellers.”
“Marty8800” added:
“Seller wasn’t sure when he was going to send my item… customer service total waste of time… got my refund from PayPal” reddit.com.
On MoneySavingExpert’s forum, one user discovered OnBuy suppressed bad reviews:
“I find this very strange as even the best suppliers on Ebay have a few low star reviews.” forums.moneysavingexpert.com.
Multiple posts echo that 1★ and 2★ reviews don’t appear promptly—or at all—raising concerns about transparency forums.moneysavingexpert.com.
5. What Independent Review Aggregators Say
- Reviews.io: ~1,644 reviews, average 3.8/5 (~70 % recommend) reddit.com+2reviews.io+2reviews.io+2.
- Sitejabber: 1.1/5 stars from 22 reviews (significantly negative) sitejabber.com.
- PissedConsumer: 1.4/5 from 273 reviews; 93 % are 1★. Major issues: communication, refunds, fake items onbuy.pissedconsumer.com+1onbuy.pissedconsumer.com+1.
- RealReviews.io: Only 3 reviews, 4.7/5 average—but very small sample .
6. Weighing the Pros & Cons
| ✅ Pros | ⚠️ Cons |
| Competitive prices | Inconsistent delivery |
| Large product range | Poor seller vetting |
| Buyer protection 180 days | Weak customer service |
| Global expansion plans | Risk of counterfeit goods |
7. Tips for Buying Safely on OnBuy
- Check seller credibility: Prefer established sellers with consistent high ratings.
- Confirm shipping times: Expect delays; review tracking carefully.
- Use secure payment channels: Consider PayPal or credit cards with buyer dispute options.
- Document your order: Take screenshots/emails—helpful in case tracking is fake.
- Report immediately: If you suspect a fake or damage, contact seller then escalate to OnBuy Protection or PayPal.
- Leave honest reviews: Share real experiences—even low-rated ones—so OnBuy’s rating system reflects reality.
8. The Verdict: Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Use OnBuy?
- Good For:
- Bargain-seekers willing to take a chance on lesser-known sellers.
- Items where you can afford potential delay, refund needs, or returns.
- Bargain-seekers willing to take a chance on lesser-known sellers.
- Not Ideal For:
- High-value purchases where authenticity and reliable delivery are critical.
- Users unfamiliar with dispute resolution via PayPal or credit cards.
- Those expecting Amazon-level seller vetting and fast customer support.
- High-value purchases where authenticity and reliable delivery are critical.
9. Final Thoughts
OnBuy offers incredible deals and an impressive global catalog. Strong warranty protection and expanding infrastructure (including Comet revival and London HQ) indicate a serious player onbuy.pissedconsumer.com+2thesun.co.uk+2onbuy.com+2onbuy.comreviews.io+6reddit.com+6reviews.io+6reviews.io+1onbuy.com+1reviews.ioreviews.io+8en.wikipedia.org+8onbuy.com+8.
That said, ongoing concerns persist around delivery reliability, counterfeit products, and weak customer service. For low-cost everyday items, taking precautions can work—but for costly or essential purchases, OnBuy can be risky without due diligence Braflix.
