You’re perusing your For You page, grinning from ear to ear, when suddenly a product catches your eye. It’s precisely what you’ve been looking for, plus the price appears affordable. Then your finger hovers over the “Buy Now” button. But the million-dollar question pops in your head: is it safe to buy from TikTok Shop?
Your concerns are valid. TikTok has entered the e-commerce industry with TikTok Shop, and it is rapidly growing. But the nagging voice in your head will still ask, “Can we trust it?” Besides, we’ve all heard terrible stories about online shopping gone wrong.
Scepticism is now the order of the day because of counterfeit products and scams. So, is TikTok Shop a modern way to find and buy nice stuff, or is it a risky endeavour that could leave you with regrets and an empty wallet? You’ll find out in a moment; keep reading.
Table of Contents
What is TikTok Shop?
TikTok Shop is an online marketplace feature that allows users to buy products directly through the TikTok app. Users can purchase gadgets, fashion and beauty products, and home decor without leaving the app.
It’s also convenient for businesses and creators to sell to their TikTok audience. Consider it similar to Etsy, where third-party sellers can set up a shop through the TikTok Shop.
Where is TikTok Shop Available?
The TikTok Shop feature is available in the following locations:
- United Kingdom
- Philippines
- United States
- Singapore
- Indonesia
- Thailand
- Malaysia
- Vietnam
Additionally, it will interest you to know that creators earn affiliate commissions for selling products via the TikTok Shop. There’s even a Fulfilled by TikTok logistics option in the United States, where TikTok operates like Amazon—stores, picks, packs, and ships Shop products.
Brands can connect their Shop to external e-commerce platforms like Zendesk, Shopify, BigCommerce, and Salesforce.
Also Read: Is TikTok Safe to Use? All You Need to Know
Is TikTok Shop Safe To Order From?
There goes the big question—is TikTok Shop safe to buy from? This is a question that every concerned user will ask before attempting to make any purchase on the clock app. For the most part, TikTok Shop is safe to make purchases and sell on.
According to TikTok, it collaborates with reliable third-party platforms to offer secure checkout. All of the company’s associated data for its US users is stored domestically and supervised by the United States Digital Service.
Moreover, TikTok has built-in returns, refunds, reviews, and reporting options. So, listings must follow the general community guidelines for the service and Shop-specific policies. However, suspicion has become the norm because TikTok admits that certain products or merchants may be breaching its rules.
According to the US-based Public Interest Research Group, many Shop products are low-quality/cheap from unknown Chinese manufacturers. They could be counterfeit goods. The same source also reported that some shoppers have already experienced undelivered purchases and scams.
While TikTok remains safe for sellers, some users still fall prey to scams. Because of this, we advise that you buy goods only from popular brands on TikTok Shop irrespective of their country of origin.
Is TikTok Shop Legit?
Having disclosed that TikTok Shop is safe to buy from and sell on, it’s safe to say TikTok is legit. However, that doesn’t mean it is void of scams and other fraudulent activities.
But you can avoid rip-offs and minimize risks by applying caution and staying informed.
Common Scams on TikTok Shop
Since the clock app is not entirely free from fraud, you will likely encounter these common scams. That’s why we must tell you first, to keep you aware.
1. Undelivered Products Scam
In this case, fraudsters list goods for sale and receive payment from you, but never deliver these goods. Usually, they’ll provide false tracking information or vanish after collecting payment. That said, you should be wary of sellers:
- With negative reviews
- Who pressures you to make quick payments
- With no transaction history
- Without an order confirmation number
2. Counterfeit Products
Here, scammers list products for well-known brand names at relatively cheap/attractive rates. Once you buy them, you’ll be supplied with substandard or fake products contrary to the description you saw. So, look out for:
- Sellers with fewer or no reviews
- Poorly written product descriptions
- Extremely cheap goods
3. Payment Fraud
Though TikTok Shop is safe to buy from/sell on, this is one of the most common scams you can encounter on TikTok Shop. it involves tricking buyers into paying via methods other than TikTok Shop’s secure payment system. If a seller asks you to make payments through unverified payment links or direct bank transfers, they’re a suspect!
But if you proceed with such transactions, don’t expect your items to be delivered to you—it’s a scam. Watch out for:
- Offers that appear too good to be true
- Sellers requesting communication outside the TikTok app
- Requests to pay via unverified links and unconventional methods
Is It Safe To Use Your Credit Card in TikTok Shop?
It’s probably safe to use your credit card for shopping via TikTok Shop but we do not encourage that. You can use other safer methods which we’ll explore in a moment. Remember, social networks are prone to hacks and you can be a victim if such happens.
In addition, your kids could make purchases with your saved payment methods. Even worse, your phone could be stolen, exposing all your information. So, it’s always better to use other secure payment methods regardless of how much you trust your online retailer.
The following are the supported payment methods on TikTok Shop:
- Apple Pay
- PayPal
- Debit/credit cards: Mastercard, American Express, Visa, and Discover Card
- Affirm
- Klarna
- Google Pay
- Venmo
We mentioned using other secure payment methods instead of a credit or debit card. You can use a financial institution or any safer payment method. By opting for this method, you won’t have to worry about TikTok protecting your financial information.
Additionally, this method limits the exposure of your credit card information. If you’re already using any of these secure payment methods, that makes it easier.
How Long Does It Take For a TikTok Shop To Deliver?
A TikTok Shop order’s delivery time may differ based on factors like the buyer’s and seller’s locations, selected shipping options, and any possible customs processing for international shipments.
Below is a broad overview of what to anticipate:
Domestic Deliveries
- Standard shipping usually requires 3-7 business days.
- Expedited shipping usually takes 1-3 business days.
International Deliveries
- Standard international shipping typically takes 7-21 business days. However, this range differs based on the countries involved and any custom procedures.
- Expedited international shipping typically requires 3-10 business days. It can also vary based on custom procedures and locations involved.
How To Stay Safe On TikTok Shop And Avoid Scams
You’re now aware of the common scams that could be encountered on TikTok Shop. A proactive measure to take is learning how to avoid them. Although TikTok Shop is safe to buy from & sell on, you should still protect yourself from scams by doing the following:
1. Verify Sellers
Check the seller’s profile for ratings and recent reviews. This will help you evaluate their authenticity. Regarding reviews, check both negative and positive ones. If you notice consistently high/positive ratings and reviews, that’s a sign they’re reliable.
2. Be Wary of Unrealistic Offers
Avoid jumping on products and offers that are too good to be true. Any item that is priced way below its market value should be suspected.
3. Secure Payments
Using the integrated payment system on TikTok Shop is always safer for making transactions, as it guarantees safety. At the same time, avoid sellers who request payment transactions outside TikTok Shop’s integrated payment system. Such transactions may be fraudulent.
4. Use The Official Communication Channel
In this case, the official communication channel is TikTok Messaging. So, maintain all forms of communication right here. Otherwise, you risk being scammed.
5. Do Not Share Sensitive Personal Information
You shouldn’t share sensitive information such as credit card details or passwords with sellers on TikTok Shop.
6. Report Any Suspicious Activity
If something feels off about a seller or you suspect something’s phishing about a transaction, report it immediately. TikTok has a “Report” feature — click the user’s profile > the Share button (at the top) > Report > Report account. Then choose the reason for your report and tap Submit. Alternatively, you can block the seller on TikTok.
FAQs
Yes, TikTok Shop is safe to buy from. But you must still apply caution while shopping.
It’s not entirely safe to use your debit card on TikTok Shop. You can use other financial institutions mentioned in this article.
Privacy concerns
Lack of marketing resources
Potential exposure to scams
Compliance and regulatory concerns
TikTok Shop delivery times vary depending on the countries involved and any customs procedures. We’ve explained this in our article.
Conclusion
Is TikTok Shop safe to buy from and sell on? Yes, but like in any other internet marketplace, buying and selling carefully is important. Generally, it’s okay to shop on TikTok, provided you check seller reviews and ratings.
It offers a growing platform for sellers, but maintaining a reputable profile is key. Ultimately with the right precautions, TikTok Shop can be safe for sellers and buyers.