A pro tells you what you need to know before you “buy it now.”
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If you’re like me, you’ve probably found yourself lying in bed at night mindlessly scrolling through TikTok, marveling at the various items your favorite influencers are raving about and the targeted ads that pop up on the “For You” page.
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Shopping for these items, which include clothing, home goods, and everything else, may seem like a quick and easy way to find new products you’ll love, but you should stop and ask yourself whether it’s safe to order items from TikTok shops. Experts say the answer is: it depends.
Here’s everything you need to know about how to stay safe when buying from TikTok Shop.
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Is it safe to order from TikTok Shop?
The “Recommended” page may seem packed with ads for everything you’ve ever wanted, and even things you didn’t know you wanted, all at prices so low you can’t even imagine scrolling past them. Sadly, some of these deals are just too good to be true.
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The woman behind the CAKES Body account explained how she noticed multiple users using the platform to impersonate her or her representatives and sell fake CAKES covers. This type of scam has left customers with defective or inferior products and tarnished the reputation of her brand.
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Here’s how to tell if a TikTok shop is legitimate.
If you come across a deal that seems too good to be true, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) has some tips: Steve Bernas, president and CEO of the BBB, offered his suggestions in a statement shared by NBC News affiliates in Chicago.
First of all, people should always follow basic safety tips when shopping online, he said, which includes researching the merchant and their website before paying any money.
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Next, he says, people should carefully read reviews and comments to see what real users are saying, be wary of ones that appear to come from bots or paid commenters, and make sure to shop with brands that are verified on the app.
If you’re pretty happy with the item you’re considering buying, Bernas says you should check the return policy to make sure it adheres to the platform’s standard 30-day deadline, in case the item you receive isn’t exactly like what you ordered.
Finally, Bernas says that you should always make purchases using a credit card, as these types of transactions are easier to dispute if something goes wrong.
Even if you take all your precautions, scammers can get away with slipping through and scamming you out of your hard-earned money. If that’s the case, Bernas says you should report your experience to the BBB Scam Tracker. While you may not be able to change your bad experience, you can help others who go through the same thing.