Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of checking negative information, such as complaints and regulatory penalties, before making a purchase decision to avoid common pitfalls in consumer transactions [1][6]. Group 1: Internal Platform Information - In addition to "positive reviews," consumers should also look at "negative review tags" and arbitration cases on e-commerce, food delivery, or ride-hailing platforms to identify recurring service issues [2]. - Some platforms provide arbitration cases or typical scenarios of "advance compensation," which can help consumers understand the service reliability of a merchant [2]. Group 2: Official Channels - Regulatory bodies regularly publish penalty results and credit information, such as administrative penalty announcements and lists of non-compliant companies in various sectors, which indicate serious issues within those businesses [3]. - Consumers are advised to check official websites for company names before making significant purchases or signing long-term contracts [3]. Group 3: Third-Party Platforms - Third-party complaint platforms, like Black Cat Complaints, have become essential references for consumers, covering various sectors such as e-commerce, finance, education, travel, and real estate [4]. - By searching for a merchant's name, consumers can view the number of complaints, common issues, and resolution progress, which can indicate potential risks in refund and after-sales service [4]. Group 4: Pre-Consumption Research - Consumers often think of filing complaints only after problems arise, which can take weeks or months to resolve; however, spending a few minutes checking complaint information beforehand can prevent unnecessary troubles [5]. - Combining positive and negative information can lead to more informed consumer decisions [5].