Whether you’re buying merch from your favorite creator or just hunting for a deal on a one of a kind item, TikTok Shop has it all - but is it safe? Here’s what you need to know before you make your first purchase.
Key Points
What Is TikTok Shop?
TikTok Shop is an online marketplace within the TikTok app, where creators and third party sellers can set up digital storefronts to sell both physical and digital products to users.
As long as potential sellers meet the minimum requirements (being at least 18 years of age and holding proof of US residency), they can list items that comply with TikTok’s terms of service.
What Can’t You Sell On TikTok Shop?
TikTok allows sellers to list a variety of goods, but there are a few exceptions.
On TikTok Shop, you can’t sell any of the following:
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Illegal items
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Firearms
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Drugs, alcohol, or tobacco
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Counterfeit goods
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Hazardous materials
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Adult products
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Gambling products
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Financial products
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Certain health products (i.e weight loss items)
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Services
Key Features
TikTok Shop isn’t just a regular online marketplace. Because it’s integrated into the larger app, there are a few unique features it offers, most notably the live shopping experience.
This allows users to shop interactively through live streams, and it goes hand in hand with their influencer marketing integration. Creators can link items from TikTok Shop in their streams or video descriptions and earn a commission whenever a purchase is made - it’s a classic affiliate system, but with a twist.
TikTok has also made a point of highlighting their secure payment systems, and all payments are handled directly within TikTok to ensure customer safety. Additionally, TikTok verifies trusted sellers in order to reduce instances of fraud or scams and they offer a built-in customer support experience that allows customers to file and resolve disputes within the app.
How Come TikTok Shop Is So Cheap?
One of the biggest reasons that users are hesitant to make purchases via TikTok Shop is the too good to be true prices. In fact, many items go for as low as a few cents, including shipping - but why are the items on TikTok shop so cheap?
There are three main reasons behind this.
First, TikTok subsidizes TikTok Shop in order to keep prices low and draw more users in. Because of this, they take a short-term loss in the hopes of building customer loyalty and encouraging long-term returns.
Second, many items available are mass produced and bought cheaply in bulk much like the products found on Temu and AliExpress.
Third, some items aren’t always what they seem and occasionally a deal that looks too good to be true actually is, which is why it’s important to know the signs of a counterfeit item or scam listing so that you can avoid wasting your money or risking your security over an in-app purchase.
Are Card Details Safe On TikTok Shop?
When you make a purchase on TikTok Shop, it’s processed securely within TikTok. The seller will not have access to your payment information as long as you make the purchase within the app and avoid clicking third party links.
Can I Return Items Bought On TikTok Shop?
Yes, TikTok Shop has a solid refund policy that protects customers in case items don’t arrive, product descriptions are misleading, or they receive a counterfeit good. Customers can file a dispute directly within the app for a quick resolution in these instances.
How To Shop Safely On TikTok Shop
When it comes to shopping safely on TikTok, it’s really no different than any other online marketplace.
First, try to shop only from verified sellers. These are sellers that TikTok has verified as trustworthy, which means they’re more likely to offer quality items.
Be sure to read reviews for that shop too, both the positive and negative. If you’re seeing repeated complaints about the same seller, it’s best to avoid them.
In general, be mindful of deals that seem too good to be true. As previously mentioned, not every good deal is a scam, but it’s always a good idea to use your best judgement. If you’re on the fence about an item from an otherwise trustworthy seller, try using reverse image search to see if that item is being sold anywhere else and for what price.
When you do place an order, be sure to stick with TikTok’s secure payment system and avoid off-platform transactions. If a seller tries to get you to make a payment outside of TikTok, this is a red flag and you should report them immediately. Similarly, don’t communicate with the seller outside of TikTok, and don’t give out any personal information.
For added peace of mind, consider using PayPal or a credit card through the secure payment system since these methods often have additional buyer protection.
Here's a quick checklist to run through:
- Check to see if the seller is verified
- Read any reviews, both positive and negative
- Read the product description carefully and use reverse image search if necessary
- Use TikTok's secure payment system with PayPal or a credit card
- Don't communicate with the seller outside of TikTok or click any links they provide
Common Scams To Be Aware Of
Like any other marketplace, TikTok Shop is rife with shady deals and scammy offers. Here are a few of the most common scams that you should be familiar with, so that you can avoid them when shopping.
And if you’ve already been the victim of any of these scams, don’t worry - you can report a seller and file a dispute directly through the order listing on the TikTok app to get your money back.
Fake Products
What It Is: This is a straightforward one, but something that most consumers have fallen prey to at least once. In these instances, sellers will use a stock image or stolen photo of a legitimate item and describe it as such, but when it arrives it’s a cheap knockoff.
How To Avoid It: Shop with verified sellers and read the reviews carefully before placing an order. As an added layer of protection, use reverse image search to make sure that the photo they’re using is actually theirs and not ripped from someone else.
Misleading Descriptions
What It Is: Similar to the counterfeit goods scam, but not quite. In this case, the seller will write vague or misleading descriptions so that buyers think they’re getting something else entirely - or they leave out key details on purpose. This includes items of a different size (like dollhouse miniatures when you were expecting a full size item), heavily edited images, or claims about what the item can do.
How To Avoid It: As always, stick with verified sellers and read the reviews carefully. You should also avoid buying items that have vague or confusing descriptions.
Phishing Scams
What It Is: This is when scammers pretend to either be a seller on TikTok Shop, or a customer support rep on the platform. They might ask you to click a link, visit a third party site, or provide personal information.
How To Avoid It: Never click on any links you receive from an unsolicited sender, and don’t hand over personal information. Stick to the TikTok app and don’t go off-app for purchases. Report any suspicious messages you receive.
Non-Delivery
What It Is: The product looks good, you place your order, the payment goes through and then…nothing. Some scammers will “sell” items that look legitimate, only to take the money and run. They might even delete their account afterwards.
How To Avoid It: Don’t shop from brand new or unverified sellers, and stick with TikTok’s secure payment system since this has buyer protection. You might also consider sticking with PayPal or a credit card for added protection. If a seller ghosts you, contact TikTok support immediately.
How To Report Someone On TikTok Shop
If a seller is violating TikTok’s terms of service in some way or they’re making you feel uncomfortable, you can report it directly within the app.
There are a few instances where you might want to report someone:
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They’re selling items that go against TikTok’s Shop policies
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They’re asking you to make a payment off-platform
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They’re asking you to message them outside of TikTok
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They’re requesting personal or sensitive information
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They’re threatening or harassing you in some way
To report someone, visit their profile via the TikTok app or desktop site and select the Share button at the top or the three dots next to it if you're on desktop.
From here, select Report.
Select a reason for the report, then select Submit.
Alternatively, go to your order details and select Report then fill in all relevant details.
Why Can’t I See TikTok Shop?
TikTok Shop isn’t available everywhere yet, so if you’re not seeing it in your TikTok app then it might be due to a region restriction or it’s simply not available for your account type.
You can test this out via the desktop version of TikTok. On the left hand menu, click the Shop option. If you have access to it, you’ll be directed to TikTok Shop.
If not, you’ll be directed to a random video and in the URL bar you’ll see the following link:
https://www.tiktok.com/?source=seo_homepage_no_support_region_redirect&enterfrom=seo_homepage_no_support_region_redirect&enter_method=homepage_redirect_mid
In this case, you can try using a VPN to access TikTok Shop from a supported region, but this might be tricky when it comes to placing orders if your address is not in a supported location or your payment methods aren’t viable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the cons of TikTok Shop?
TikTok Shop does offer some unique finds and surprising deals, but it’s not perfect. Because it’s not available in all regions, not every TikTok user has access to it. Additionally, it’s still very new so there’s a risk of high instances of counterfeit items and low quality customer experiences.
Does TikTok shop offer free shipping?
That depends on the seller, but in many cases items come with free or very low shipping.
How long does TikTok Shop take to deliver orders?
This depends on the seller and where the items are coming from. Some listings arrive within a week, others can take up to a month, according to some users.
Why don’t I see TikTok Shop in my TikTok app?
Either it’s not available in your region, or your profile type doesn’t support it. You can test it out and see what the issue is by following the steps here.
Why shouldn't you order from TikTok Shop?
Don’t order from TikTok Shop if the listing looks suspicious, if the seller is brand new and has no reviews or verifications, or if they’re requesting that you pay off-app.
Is my payment information secure on TikTok?
Yes, TikTok Shop uses a secure payment system within the app, so the seller never sees your private information.
Is TikTok still owned by China?
Yes, TikTok is owned by the Chinese tech company ByteDance.
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