While everyone loves snagging a good deal, some suspicious stores online are simply too good to be true. There are plenty of reputable sites, but many scam stores take your money and send you completely different items, if anything at all. This is why you need to be wary of suspiciously low prices from shops you've never seen in person. Many websites like Shein leave online customers conflicted over whether the site is worth the risk.

Between dirt-cheap prices and a wide selection, Shein.com seems almost too good to be true. So, can you really trust Shein and its incredibly low prices?

What Is Shein?

Shein became a household name in recent years as its enticing ads swarmed social media platforms all over the world. You've probably encountered an advertisement from Shein (such as on social media), the company that found its fortune through online campaigns.

Many people find out about Shein through Facebook or Instagram posts. Shein shows off stylish clothes or trendy duvet covers for ridiculously low prices. There are even times when specific products are nearly identical to name-brand items, only at a tenth of the price. It gets complicated when you ask if Shein is a real store.

shein website homepage screenshot

Shein is mainly a digital retailer—although the company has found success launching a select few physical locations. Most of these stores are just pop-ups in bigger cities, so if you want to experience all that Shein has to offer, you'll probably have to check out the website or the Shein app.

Is Shein a Scam?

When investigating whether Shein is a scam, you get mixed reviews. There are certainly people who claim that the Shein website scammed them of their money, but the company does fulfill countless orders a day from all around the world.

Some red flags make people question if Shein is a legit website or not. For one thing, Shein is not BBB accredited, meaning they don't have that additional consumer satisfaction support.

Despite this, plenty of people order from the service. Shein appears to be a safe site, in that they don't steal your payment information or identity. It also seems to be trusted by users worldwide, from South Africa to the UK and from Australia to Canada, which suggests that most people receive the products they order.

However, Shein's numerous negative reviews would suggest that buying from the site is by no means risk-free. On Shein's TrustPilot review page, a shocking 29 percent of the reviews are one-star, with another eight percent being two- and three-star, at the time of writing. 54 percent of the reviews are five-star, but this means that just over half of Shein's customers are fully satisfied with their orders or experience. The remaining nine percent of reviewers rated Shein four-star.

While it seems to be a "legit" company that doesn't scam you with fake promises, its low costs ironically come at a price. But what is Shein's game here, and is it a good website to support?

Why Is Shein So Cheap?

screenshot of shein website product page

The official Shein inventory is rather expansive, and it seems like it offers anything and everything at a fraction of typical costs. Shein is a good website for anyone looking for fashionable bargains that help grow your wardrobe without breaking the bank.

However, Shein clothing does come at a price that is not financial. If you have some time to look at some honest Shein clothing reviews, you will see many complaints about the quality of the clothing.

Many Shein reviews claim that the brand's materials quickly discolor, lose their shape, or exhibit wear and tear. Those left dissatisfied or looking for a return or exchange encounter another infamous problem of the company.

Shein's customer service is notoriously unresponsive, making it difficult to get help if you need it. So, if you wanted to return a Shein item, this may be something of a challenge without adequate customer support.

If you'd rather try a different low-cost site, there are plenty of cheap alternatives to Shein.

Is Shein Ethical?

The quality of Shein's products or inferior products is not the only thing Shein reviews are concerned with. There is a reason that products in China cost often less than items produced in the West. The labor laws there are much laxer than in, say, the US or Canada, making it easy for a company to exploit its workers.

Because Shein can get away with legally paying their workers so little, and can force them to work long hours without breaks, their end product is cheaper. This is good for the person buying the product, but not for the one making it.

Keep in mind that this is true of many companies, and we're not singling out Shein in particular. Indeed, the site does stress that it continually works to look after the health and well-being of its workers. Is Shein safe for its back-end labor force, though?

It's also worth noting that Shein is bad news for the environment. The Good on You website states that Shein uses hazardous chemicals and makes no effort to lower its carbon footprint. The low quality of some of the site's items also contributes to throw-away culture, which leads to more waste. This is why many now choose to thrift via second-hand shopping sites instead.

Many large businesses import products from eastern companies simply because it is so inexpensive to keep their prices down (and their profits up). If you want to prioritize ethical fashion, Shein is not the store for you. There are tons of ethical alternatives to popular businesses that are worth checking out.

On top of its environmental issues, Shein has also been accused of intellectual property (IP) theft many times in the past. For example, in early 2023, nail artist Yan Tee's designs were allegedly copied by Shein for its press-on nail products. Tee also accused Shein of using her own photos from Instagram to display the press-on nails on its website. The Industry reported that, while Tee charges around £40 for a set of her own press-on nails, Shein is selling nail sets for as little as 75p.

Is Shein Reliable and Safe?

All else aside, it's totally safe to order from Shein, at least on paper. You don't need to worry about it being caught up in some elaborate phishing scam, but you may receive a disappointing order or run into shipping issues if you order from the site.

How to Order From Shein: Tips That Work

laptop shopping cart trolley money dollars

When browsing sites that offer lower-quality items at discount prices, it always pays to think ahead. So is Shein a legit website? Yes, but you still need to be careful. Here are some tips to consider to prevent you from making a purchase that you regret later on.

Check Sizing Charts

The sizes are not consistent between articles of Shein clothing. Be sure you refer to the sizing charts on every listing and the Shein reviews as well, as some suggest that Shein dresses vary in size between different items.

Be sure you pay attention to the section your item is in, as this impacts the cut of clothing. You should shop the section that fits your body, whether you're plus-sized, petite, or just a regular medium.

Avoid Everyday Basics

Shein is a great place to find statement outfits or experimental pieces to try out, but not necessarily pieces you'll wear every day. This is because Shein does not produce clothes that are made to last, which is something you'll want out of your basics.

If you are looking for durability, it is better to invest more wisely. For example, many Shein swimsuit reviews complain about the lack of support and elasticity after several swims.

Read All Reviews

Customer reviews offer honest feedback you should take into consideration. Don't just look at the five-star ones, though: these can be fake or biased, so always look at the bigger picture. You should also try checking reviews from your location, as a review from New Zealand may not apply to those shopping through Shein Canada.

And, before you add to the basket, note the return policies and shipping times of a particular item.

Is Shein a Good Website?

Is Shein a scam? If you're looking for cheap clothing, Shein is a great place to shop if you aren’t concerned with quality. Shein is a safe enough place to shop, but try not to forget about sustainable alternatives that source their products ethically. But the Shein reviews don't lie; for fashionable favorites that last in the long run, you might want to take your business elsewhere.