TikTok Shop Safe? What You Need to Know

Don’t be another pawn in impulse buying! Think before clicking the purchase button. There are many e-commerce shops now. But all are not safe. One of the recent buzzing online marketplaces is TikTok Shop.  

Considering the controversies around the brand lately, you may ask- is TikTok shop safe? Let me hint out some odds to help you decide. Did you notice the number of paid posts and product ads in the For You section increased lately?  

You’ll see that most ads promote TikTok Shop links after carefully noticing. Whether it’s your favorite lip gloss or serum under $8 or other products at flat 60%, the ads allure you in many ways.  

Experts say that TikTok Shop is a genuine marketplace, similar to its counterparts, Alibaba, eBay, and others. But there may be scammers posing as sellers here. So, think twice before you “BUY NOW.”  

Roping in Customers With the Crazy Discounts Trap  

Shoppers can’t simply turn down the relentless discount offers on TikTok Shop. I was recently scrolling the TikTok Shop. In 30 minutes, I came across some crazy dupes (all under $12) and my favorite eyeliner, listed at $4.  

When you start feeling that the price is superficial, Tikok Shop will flash a flat 70,80, or 90% discount tag, making you believe in the price and the offer, too. So far, I have noticed that users get the best discounts when they open the TikTok Shop for the first time.  

Are the prices even real?? 

Many users cannot believe the superficial price that the TikTok shop offers. But TikTok ensures that you don’t seep into doubt for long. B.F Skinner once said you always try to find links to believe in something or someone you like.  

The same happens with impulse buyers caught in the discount trap. You will try to check out the reviews whenever you doubt the price. However, reports suggest that many product reviews in TikTok Shop are staged and even fake.  

Here’s something interesting said by one of the TikTok spokespersons- TikTok provides users with a safe and transparent shopping experience. The marketplace is totally “safe and secure.”  

He also said users can freely check out the vast range of products from the brands of their choice.  

Controversies Inspire Doubts  

No doubt you will find a lot of branded goods in TikTok Shop. But users doubt all of them may not be real. But why do people keep doubting TikTok’s legitimacy?  

When asked- is TikTok shop safe, most e-commerce exports say that controversies have damaged the brand’s reputation. Now, they have to work harder to regain trust.  

The data leak controversy has recently been the last nail in TikTok’s coffin. Americans doubt whether they trust the platform as they did before. So, we went out straight to ask the consumers directly.  

When I asked them- is the TikTok shop safe, some of them shared examples of real-life transactions. I found that most of them landed safe transactions and received what they ordered.  

But all of them had to say that buying “high-priced” goods from the app may not be safer.  

More About the TikTok Shop 

TikTok Shop is an online marketplace similar to Amazon or eBay. However, the platform is reputed for selling the most viral and in-trend products. You will get products that say “out of stock” in other apps.  

If I had to name one other app that resembles TikTok Shop, I’d say Etsy. This is also a platform run by third-party sellers. Etsy also allows you to run your online shop independently.  

Similarly, TikTok is another multi-niche marketplace with sellers (mostly local) from all domains selling upmarket and trending products.  

But I am shocked that the TikTok Shop is filled with brands. You will get flagship to emerging brands here, under the same roof. You’ll find everything from arching brands like Revolve to emerging ones like Home Run Dugout on TikTok.  

In fact, there is no clinical specification for opening a storefront on TikTok. Following some ground rules, you can quickly sell products with them.  

What are TikTok’s Rules for Sellers?

TikTok makes sellers follow some basic rules only. Firstly, sellers should cross the 18-year age mark. They should be permanent US citizens, too. Apparently, you have to produce your driver’s license or passport as proof of the same. 

Meanwhile, you should have a minimum number of followers on TikTok media. But we all know there are many controversies regarding paid followers on TikTok.  

So, I like their last rule the most. It says you will be on probation for 6 months as a seller here. During this period, you can complete a limited number of orders only.  

After the probation is over, TikTok will validate you and pull off the restrictions. But you need at least some positive customer reviews for that to happen.  

Is TikTok Shop safe?  

Ground research suggests TikTok shop is a legitimate marketplace. But there are evident chances of fraud and scams here. Hence, buyers must look out for shady reviews and fake reviewers. Meanwhile, also check the fine print on the product’s tag.  

Often, global brands tag their products as “Seconds”. If you see something like that, don’t buy it. In the same vein, Media Matters for America alerted us by exposing the rising cases of deepfake doctors and illegal vape sales.  

Some fraud marketplaces and listing sites sell these fake products and services, too.  

In fact, TikTok also lists some shady products. Of late, our research team found some products on the app that ignore their gaming and gamification guidelines.  

What’s more disturbing is that you cannot detect those products quickly. They are layered between a series of genuine listings. We made a customary complaint with TikTok’s customer survive helpdesk. 

After that, the marked listings were pulled off. When a brand acts promptly to correct its gaps, you can trust it. With TikTok, it’s the same.  

Stephen Balkam, CEO of Family Online Safety Institute, says- TikTok is trying hard to protect users from fraud.  

TikTok Shopping Reviews

I asked agencies who order products from TikTok Shop in bulk. They had nothing negative to point out. According to them, TikTok Shop is similar to other online marketplaces. A customer pointed out, “Don’t you get fake products on Amazon? Does that affect their sales? At the end of the day, you trust some brands and don’t trust others.”  

She was spitting facts. Some users cracked the deal of a lifetime and were ecstatic about it. But there were a few very pissed off with the fake and duplicate products.  

TikTok Shop’s Refund Strategy 

If you ask me- is the TikTok shop safe, I’d probably say YES. And kudos to the refund policy for that. Imagine you bought a product from a TikTok Shop. Within 30 days, you can return it and claim a refund.  

You can raise a ticket through the TikTok Shop Buyer Protection Program if the product appears fake. And you have 3 months from the delivery date to do that.  

Don’t forget these Safe Shopping Tips! 

There may be scammers on the TikTok Shop. But, the platform follows all guidelines applicable to a genuine online marketplace. I feel that TikTok’s open acceptance policy fails to filter fraud sellers properly. The app sure has to work in that direction.  

Is TikTok shop safe? In conclusion, I’d say- Yes, it’s safe. But follow the below tactics whenever you shop from the site:  

• Research product reviews, check out the seller’s ID, and also scan similar product prices on other apps 

• Read what’s written in fine print on the product image (if visible) 

• Don’t pay sellers on TikTok Shop using your personal Bank A/C. Instead, use Apple Pay or PayPal’s wallet.

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