Is TikTok Shop Legit? Guide to a Safe Shopping on the Platform

TikTok started as a social media platform but has quickly become a major player in e-commerce. TikTok Shop was launched in 2023 as part of the company’s broader push into social commerce. 

It offers creators and businesses a way to monetize by selling products. On the other hand, buyers can conveniently discover and purchase products without leaving the app.

Following its rapid growth, there have been complaints regarding scams, refunds, and poor customer service, leaving consumers wondering: is TikTok Shop legit? We answer this and other top consumer questions to help you navigate TikTok Shop safely.

Key Insights

• Over 1 billion people in the world and 70 million in the United States engage in TikTok shopping.
• In 2024, TikTok Shop’s global gross merchandise (GMV) surpassed $33 billion, with the USA being the largest market with a GMV of over $9B.
• Compared to other social media platforms, TikTok users are the most susceptible to impulse buys.

Is TikTok Shop Legit?

TikTok Shop is a built-in e-commerce feature on the TikTok app, allowing sellers to showcase and sell products through in-feed videos, live streams, and the Showcase tab. It blends online shopping with social media, creating an interactive experience for both buyers and sellers.

For potential customers, it’s an easy way to discover and buy products while scrolling. Brands can connect with their audience in a fun way without using pushy sales tactics. However, while it has grown rapidly and become widely popular, some buyers and sellers encounter challenges when using the platform, as evidenced by the numerous TikTok complaints.

We looked at TikTok Shop reviews and ratings on PissedConsumer.com to help determine if it is a trustworthy platform for buying and selling. While some users are satisfied with TikTok Shop, over 77% of reviewers on PissedConsumer.com were dissatisfied. Many buyers report issues such as missing orders, unauthorized charges, delivery delays, counterfeit products, and trouble getting refunds.

For example, in review #6422514, a customer ordered multiple items, but none were delivered.

I have ordered 140 worth of items of the TikTok shop and I havent received all them can I get a refund and I have the receipt but my account is not letting me in.

Sellers also report frustrating experiences, including sudden account suspensions, withheld earnings, and false policy violation claims. For example, in review #6480156, the seller complained about a fake order violation.

I received a Fake Order violation on March 3, 2025. I always follow TikToks policies and fulfill orders properly…

Is It Safe to Buy from a TikTok Shop?

To enhance safety, TikTok requires individual sellers to verify their age and identity by submitting a government-issued ID. Corporate entities and, in some cases, individual sellers may be required to provide a business license, registration, or other similar official documents as part of their verification.

Aside from seller verification, there are additional measures to ensure buyer protection. For instance, transactions are processed through trusted payment gateways. 

TikTok Shop also has a relatively favorable return and refund policy. This policy ensures customers can make a return or refund request if items are not delivered, are defective, or are different from the product description. 

Furthermore, both buyers and sellers can contact TikTok Shop customer service for assistance.

Despite having these security measures in place, TikTok Shop scams are still common. Recent scams on TikTok include fake shops, fake products, and counterfeit products.

In review #6143235, a customer narrated how they were scammed by a seller on TikTok Shop:

…I placed an order in the total amount of $9.99 from this company through the TikTok Shop… Angel Shop/TikTok Shop charged these unauthorized charges on my debit card in the amount of $187.97

Why is TikTok Shop so Cheap?

One of the most popular questions among shoppers when determining if TikTok shop is safe is: Why are prices so low?

There are several reasons why items on TikTok Shop are generally cheaper than on other platforms. They include:

• TikTok Shop’s direct-to-consumer model that removes middlemen and associated costs.
• TikTok has various new seller initiatives that provide sellers with subsidies and bonuses. These TikTok Shop deals keep prices low.
• Low advertising costs as sellers can reach customers organically.

While there are legitimate reasons why TikTok Shop prices are low, beware of low-quality and counterfeit products. 

How to Cancel a TikTok Shop Order?

TikTok Shop allows order cancellations under specific conditions. If the seller uses Fulfilled by TikTok (FBT), TikTok handles all customer cancellations. Once payment is made, an order can only be canceled before it reaches the “To Ship – Awaiting Collection” stage. Customers and sellers can discuss cancellations directly. 

Some third-party logistics (3PL) sellers can set a cancellation window of 1 hour, 5 hours, or 24 hours. Customers have a one-hour automatic cancellation period where they can cancel or modify an order without seller approval. During this time, sellers cannot cancel orders. 

Below is the step-by-step process for buyers to cancel an order on TikTok Shop:

• Log in to your TikTok profile and navigate to “orders”.
• Go to the order you want to cancel and select “cancel order”.
• Select a reason why you want to cancel.

How to Return a TikTok Shop Order?

Customers may initiate a return or refund request after the order status has updated to “Shipped”. The standard TikTok Shop return policy further stipulates that customers have 30 calendar days from the date that the package is marked as “Delivered” to submit a return or refund request. However, in instances where the seller has indicated a return timeframe at checkout, the specified time limit applies. 

Further, TikTok Shop offers buyer protection through extended refund protection on eligible orders at no cost to customers. The buyer protection allows customers to raise a ticket with TikTok shop within 30 calendar days from the date that the order was received. 

Product categories excluded from the extended refund protection include pre-owned luxury and collectibles, trading cards, heavy or bulky items, and worn or used items. Items eligible for extended buyer protection are indicated as such on the product detail page.

Certain items can only be returned or refunded if they are damaged or defective upon arrival. They cannot be returned for reasons such as no longer needed or do not fit. These items include:

• Foods, beverages, dietary supplements, or ingestible products for humans or animals
• Live plants, seeds, and fresh flowers
• Trading cards
• Collectibles
• Pre-owned items

Unless specified otherwise, if an order is eligible for a refund, it is issued to the customer at the seller’s cost.

How to Issue a Refund on TikTok Shop?

Both buyers and sellers report having issues with TikTok Shop refunds.

For example, in one review, the customer canceled an order within 5 minutes of making it but did not receive a refund more than a month later. On the other hand, a seller went to Reddit to express their frustration that TikTok Shop approved customer refunds without returns.

Source: reddit.com

To ensure fairness for both buyers and sellers, TikTok Shop has certain guidelines in place. Sellers have 2-4 business days to review a refund request; otherwise, TikTok Shop auto-approves the refund.

In the case above, a seller can reject a refund within the review period and request that the customer return the items. Customers have 14 days to return the item. However, neither TikTok Shop nor the customer can guarantee that the seller will receive the returned item once it has been shipped.

How to Buy on TikTok Shop Safely?

Below are tips on how to shop safely on TikTok and avoid potential scams and other risks. 

• Investigate a seller’s credibility. First, check that they have been verified. Badge. Secondly, view their ratings and reviews on TikTok. Avoid sellers that have a low rating and numerous complaints. 
• Read product descriptions. Also, view images and videos of the product to ensure that you are buying the right items. Refer to previous customers’ reviews to determine if the actual product is as described.
• Compare prices among different sellers. Find multiple listings of the same product. Compare not only prices but also shipping fees and delivery time. Be cautious of sellers whose prices are suspiciously much lower than everyone else’s.
• Act quickly on any disputes with your orders. If you don’t receive your order in time or it is defective, initiate a return or refund request as soon as possible before the refund window closes.

Is TikTok Shop Worth It?

TikTok shop is a legit online marketplace. However, since many individual sellers are using the platform, there is a risk of fraud. TikTok reviews indicate incidents of misleading listings and fake storefronts that take money but do not deliver products. 

Therefore, vet sellers before buying them. Also, take time to understand TikTok Shop return and refund policies to ensure a smooth shopping experience. 

Have you already used TikTok Shop? Write a review to share your experience with other customers.

*Disclaimer: Ranking and statistics are based on our users’ review texts and Pissed Consumer posters’ reviews. Also, a company’s rating is calculated using a mathematical algorithm that evaluates the information in the profile, including users’ rating, the number of resolved issues, the number of company’s responses, etc. The algorithm is subject to change in the future.