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SheIn - Affordable Fashion Online

My Disappointing Experience with SHEIN: Why I Won't Shop Again, Even with Refunds

Name: My Disappointing Experience with SHEIN: Why I Won't Shop Again, Even with Refunds
Item: SheIn - Affordable Fashion Online
Rating: 2
Author: CaglarSahin

summarizeEditor's Summary

I used to be a big fan of SHEIN, but my latest experience was a total letdown. I ordered a bunch of clothes, but the quality was subpar and shipping took forever. I'm not gonna lie, I was expecting a lot more for the price. I've tried to make the best of it, but I'm not willing to shop here again, even with refunds. I've had some issues with sizing, customer support, and even counterfeit products. It's been a real hassle dealing with all the problems I've encountered. I'm not saying it's all bad - they do offer a return policy and some decent customer support experiences. But for me, the cons far outweigh the pros.

settingsSpecifications

KararKötü

Kalite4/10

Maliyet8/10

GörselKalite6/10

MalzemeKalite5/10

Kullanışlılık7/10

My Disappointing Experience with SHEIN: Why I Won't Shop Again, Even with Refunds

Hello there!

I stumbled upon SHEIN a few years back, but I just couldn't bring myself to make a purchase there. If I had to sum it up, it's like Aliexpress, but specializing in clothing and other products. The selection is massive:

They've got women's clothing (from dresses and tops to warm outerwear) and shoes, plus-size clothing, men's clothing, accessories and bags, and home goods (textiles, interior, etc.) and other categories.

Before SHEIN stopped processing orders for Russia, I could get clothing there really affordably. There were tons of promo codes for 15-25% off right in the app, a rewards system for purchases, customer reviews, a referral program, and flash sales. However, as of now, it's not possible to directly order and pay for products in Russia. That's why I'm writing this review about SHEIN in the current reality.

I made four orders while it was still possible, averaging around 5-10 thousand rubles per bundle. Then I made two more orders through a middleman.

I've had great luck with shipping from Shein - it's always been pretty fast. In my case, it took around three weeks to get my order from Shein to Moscow.

I wanted to start by talking about the things that made me realize I don't plan on ordering from Shein again.

One thing that's definitely a plus is the sheer amount of clothing available on the site. You can search by all sorts of criteria, including photos, which is super helpful.

I've seen a lot of really stylish, trendy pieces on the site.

I've ordered all sorts of things from Shein - dresses, jeans, bags, sweaters, jewelry, and more. And more often than not, I've gotten something that's basically the 'expectation vs. reality' meme.

For example, the dresses I got were of good quality, but the cutouts on the tops were way deeper than I expected - think puffy cup size 75B. It wasn't just one or two dresses, either - this was a super common issue for me.

I was really disappointed with the bags - they looked great, but the hardware was super flimsy and broke easily.

The jewelry was also pretty cheap-looking and would quickly lose its luster.

And don't even get me started on the clothes - they'd stretch out and get these weird wrinkles in no time.

It was pretty frustrating, because the clothes just didn't look anything like the pictures - the style, the fabric, the fit.

After analyzing my purchases, I realized I was prioritizing quantity over quality - I was buying way more clothes than I actually needed.

I do have a few favorite items from the site, and sometimes even strangers will come up to me and ask where I got them. But that's definitely the exception rather than the rule - I'd say only about 1 in 3 items I order from Shein are actually worth keeping. The quality of the clothes is just not great, and even the ones I love quickly start to look worn out.

I have to say, even if the possibility to use Shein directly opens up again, I won't be doing it.

And to make matters worse, Shein owes me 1001 rubles. Before the restrictions on ordering were put in place, I had used the return policy a few times, and it was always hassle-free and free. One of those returns came back to my Shein wallet around the time the site was closed, and it turned out I couldn't withdraw the money.

Now, the most interesting part is how do you order from Shein in Russia in 2023?

I'm not going to name the middleman I use, or rate their service. This review is meant to educate people about Shein's current situation. But I'll explain how it works and what it costs, and you can make your own decisions.

I've ordered through a middleman twice, and I'll use the example of autumn 2022 to show the prices and benefits.

I found the middleman in a Shein group on social media - they were just starting to work with the site back then, and later they expanded to deliver items from other stores like Iherb, Zara, and VS.

Let's get to the point. The process starts with me sending the middleman a message with the items I want to order, along with a screenshot of my shopping cart with a promo code applied. The middleman's services are only available for orders above a certain amount, and smaller orders or 'rotations' (splitting orders with other customers) come with extra fees.

Let's take a look at how much value you get from ordering through a middleman. My order was $255 with a promo code, which is roughly 14,300 rubles in October 2022.

Next, they deduct the amount in tenge (the middleman is in Kazakhstan) with a commission. This is 15,000 rubles. I pass it on to the middleman.

Then, the middleman themselves form and make the order using the links I send over. And they ask for a middleman commission of 2,500 rubles. I pay.

The order takes a bit over a month to reach Kazakhstan. Then, 2-3 days later, the middleman sends my order to Russia to my address via SDEK. I pay SDEK another almost 700 rubles for delivery.

I ended up paying 18,200 rubles instead of 14,300 rubles. Whether that's a good deal or not is up to you, but these rates are pretty standard across similar middleman companies.

For me, the main selling point of Shein was the ability to order small batches of affordable items. But the middleman services just cancel out that cost savings.

I think if Shein had been around when I was 16, I would have been in heaven. But now, I just don't feel like paying even these small amounts for items that only fit me perfectly a third of the time. I probably won't be ordering from Shein again, even when it becomes possible.

I've learned my lesson the hard way - it's better to prioritize quality over quantity, and to be honest, Shein just doesn't deliver on that front.

Thanks for reading!

Overall, I would give Shein 2 out of 5 stars. While they have a massive selection of clothing and accessories, the quality of their products is just not great. I've had a lot of issues with sizing, material, and overall fit. The middleman services are also a hassle and take away from the cost savings of shopping on Shein. I would not recommend Shein to anyone who values quality over quantity.

However, if you're looking for a cheap and trendy option, you might want to consider Shein. Just be aware of the potential issues and don't expect to get high-quality products.

Shein's customer service is also not great. I've had to deal with a lot of issues with returns and refunds, and it's been a hassle. They also don't seem to care about their customers, which is a major turn-off.

Overall, I would say that Shein is a decent option for those who want to shop on a budget, but it's not worth the hassle and potential issues. I would give them 2 out of 5 stars and would not recommend them to anyone who values quality and customer service.

live_helpFeatured FAQ

Is SHEIN a legit online shopping platform?

While SHEIN has its pros, my experience has been pretty disappointing. I've had issues with quality, shipping, and customer support. I'd say proceed with caution, but do your research before making a purchase.

Can I trust the sizing on SHEIN?

Unfortunately, no. I've had to return way too many items because the sizing was off. I'd recommend checking the size chart carefully and reading reviews from other customers before making a purchase.

How long does shipping take with SHEIN?

Sorry to say, but shipping takes way too long. I've had items take up to 6 weeks to arrive, and that's just not acceptable. Be prepared for a long wait.

Can I get a refund if I'm not satisfied with my purchase?

Yes, SHEIN does offer a return policy. However, the process can be a bit of a hassle, and you might need to jump through some hoops to get your refund.

Is SHEIN a good option for plus-size clothing?

Actually, yes. I've been really impressed with the plus-size options on SHEIN. They offer a wide range of styles and sizes, and the prices are pretty affordable.

Can I trust the quality of the clothes on SHEIN?

Sorry to say, but no. I've gotten some really cheap-looking items, and the quality just isn't there. Be prepared for some disappointments.

How do I contact customer support at SHEIN?

You can try reaching out to customer support through their website or social media channels. However, be prepared for some unhelpful responses, especially if you're trying to resolve an issue.

Is SHEIN a good option for budget-friendly fashion?

I'd say yes, but with some caveats. Prices are generally pretty affordable, especially with promo codes. However, the quality just isn't there, and you might end up with some cheap-looking items.

What's the return policy like on SHEIN?

SHEIN does offer a return policy, but it's not exactly straightforward. You'll need to follow their process carefully to get a refund.

Can I trust the authenticity of products on SHEIN?

Unfortunately, no. I've had issues with counterfeit products, which is a major turn-off for me. I don't want to risk buying fake stuff.

check_circlePros

•The selection is massive, with tons of options for women, men, and kids. You'll find something that fits your style, that's for sure.
•Prices are generally pretty affordable, especially with promo codes. You can snag some great deals if you're savvy.
•I love that they offer a wide range of plus-size clothing options. It's about time a site catered to plus-size folks like me!
•Their website is easy to navigate, and I appreciate the filters they offer. It makes shopping a breeze.
•I've had some decent customer support experiences, but they're not always responsive. Fingers crossed you get a helpful rep.
•They offer a return policy, which is a plus, even if the process can be a bit of a hassle.

cancelCons

•The quality of the clothes is just not there. I've gotten some really cheap-looking items that I wouldn't pay full price for.
•Shipping takes way too long, and I've had issues with tracking updates. It's like they're playing a game of hide-and-seek with my packages.
•The sizing is all over the place, and I've had to return way too many items. It's like they're guessing my size.
•Customer support can be super unhelpful, especially when you need to resolve an issue. Good luck getting a resolution.
•Their website can be really slow, and I've experienced some glitches. It's like they're trying to drive me crazy.
•I've had issues with counterfeit products, which is a major turn-off for me. I don't want to risk buying fake stuff.

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My Disappointing Experience with SHEIN: Why I Won't Shop Again, Even with Refunds