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November 22nd, 2021
Whether you want to buy a new phone, a kitchen knife, an inflatable pool, or any other gift for the holidays, you can all get them on Wish for outrageously low prices. Available in over 100 countries, Wish has become one of the fastest-growing shopping apps worldwide.
However, given how cheap the products are, you can’t help but think: “Is Wish legit?” Yes, it’s not a scam. However, there have been reports of faulty products and other fraudulent activities on the platform. Read on to know more about Wish and how you can shop safely on the app!
What is Wish?
In 2010, Wish was established by former Google and Yahoo engineers, Peter Szulczewski and Danny Zhang. This online marketplace allows you to purchase items at unbelievably low rates. These include hair extensions, laptops, smartwatches, and even fun and weird products, like fake human tongues and toilet lights. Its sales in 2018 reached around $1.9 billion. Now, it’s estimated to grow to around $8.7 billion.
If you’re wondering why Wish products are so cheap, that’s because the product is sent directly from the factory to your home. Since there are no middlemen, the costs are significantly lower. Products are also often from China, which lets retailers produce large volumes of goods for low costs.
Is Wish Legit?
Given that you can buy a smartwatch for $10 or less and even get some items for free, you might think that Wish is a scam. However, it is legit. The company really exists, and they’re based in San Francisco, California. They also have different offices worldwide, like Toronto, Shanghai, and Amsterdam.
However, buying your favorite products at Wish includes some risks. For instance, you can get earbuds for only $0.50! It will be shipped to your place, but there’s no guarantee that it will work. The platform also had over 5,000 complaints on Better Business Bureau (BBB).
There are items that do not deliver the same quality as described. Either you will get the wrong color, the size and the actual item won’t match the pictures provided, or the products will simply not be what you expected. Other customers say the products didn’t arrive.
Shipping also takes longer than usual — around 11 to 22 business days. Items are often shipped from China, so you aren’t likely to get them in two to three days. There were reports of defective products as well. You can request a refund and wait for up to three days before you’ll get a response from their customer support.
Some shoppers, however, complain about having to pay for the return shipping costs. Since they have to be shipped back to China, you might end up paying more than the item that you want to return.
How To Avoid Scams On Wish
Wish may let you purchase a wide range of low-priced products, but taking the following steps will help you shop safely and avoid scams:
1. Check Customer Reviews Thoroughly
Click on the photos that previous customers have uploaded to know how the actual product looks. If the reviews are often negative, reevaluate your decision to buy the product. It’s best to pick items tagged as verified by shoppers as this means they have received positive customer feedback.
2. Review the Shipping Information
To set clear expectations, check the shipping details, including the cost and the number of days you have to wait before the package arrives. Read reviews as other customers might mention delays and other shipping problems. Others never get the item, so make sure to monitor your order.
3. Beware of Misleading Product Description
Deceptive descriptions are the usual complaint of Wish shoppers. The products may look better in photos than in real life. Diligently check the reviews and ratings of customers instead of focusing on the product descriptions.
4. Pick the Right Size
Buying some clothes and shoes? Make sure to check the size chart to get the right size for you. As the products are usually from China, the small or large variations do not match the usual clothing sizes in the United States.
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