World e-commerce retailer Shein is thought for providing low cost trend. Not solely are the gadgets themselves priced fairly low, however simply happening the web site’s homepage, you might be bombarded with pop-ups and different inside commercials concerning the newest Shein gross sales and offers. Are the financial savings, nevertheless, price it? Are you getting authentic, high-quality trend for a superb worth?
It does not appear that manner. Shein just isn’t accredited by the Higher Enterprise Bureau (BBB) and solely has a one-star buyer overview ranking primarily based on over 700 critiques on its web site. Shein has additionally been concerned in a number of lawsuits throughout its historical past. These lawsuits heart on different trend manufacturers and artists accusing Shein of promoting counterfeit merchandise and stealing their designs. In order that Coach purse you discovered on Shein won’t truly be Coach in any respect.
Primarily based in China, Shein was based in 2008 by Chris Xu. It obtained its begin promoting wedding ceremony attire earlier than increasing into all of girls’s trend and different miscellaneous merchandise. It is grown to be a preferred app, with billions in income and a number of manufacturing partnerships. It provides 1000’s of latest gadgets to its retailer each day, which may usually be a crimson flag for amount over high quality. Whilst you may be getting a superb deal purchasing at Shein — much like Amazon’s low cost retailer Haul — it is a stretch to assert that this firm is totally legit.
Shein’s status on the BBB
Since Shein just isn’t accredited by the BBB, it has not gone by way of the method to satisfy the group’s eight Requirements for Belief. These requirements embrace sincere promoting, clear enterprise insurance policies, responding rapidly to disputes, and safeguarding buyer information. Whereas this doesn’t essentially imply Shein is dishonest and negligent, incomes a BBB accreditation does go a great distance in successful buyer religion in an organization’s services and products.
Prospects are allowed to submit their good and dangerous experiences with firms on the BBB web page, although it is not accredited. Shein’s 1-star ranking out of 5 potential stars is a strikingly dismal rating. Complaints embrace gadgets ordered not arriving and no cash being returned, the improper gadgets being delivered, and counterfeit gadgets that do not match the web site description.
It’s price noting, nevertheless, that Shein has an A ranking on the BBB. The explanation given is that Shein responds to buyer complaints rapidly. Letter grade scores on the BBB are a direct reflection of the enterprise’s responsiveness to upset prospects and will not be influenced by critiques posted on the web site. For comparability, three firms in Canada have earned F scores. So once you take the entire package deal of no BBB accreditation, an A ranking for responsiveness, and a number of buyer complaints, you get a fuller image of what to anticipate from purchasing with Shein.
Shein lawsuits and copyright points
Tapestry, the corporate that owns the style model Coach, sued Shein in 2025, accusing the corporate of getting third events manufacture counterfeit Coach merchandise and promote them on the web site. These counterfeit gadgets featured the Coach title and its well-known emblem. In response, Shein claimed all of its merchandise from third-party suppliers have been authentic and never knock-offs.
Giant firms aren’t the one ones that really feel their designs have been stolen by Shein. Small, impartial trend designers have additionally complained on-line about their handmade fashions being mass-produced by third events by way of Shein with out their permission. Shein has additionally been accused of copying the direct design of merchandise, like Bottega Veneta’s Cassette bag, usually worn by celebrities. Customers could really feel that they’re getting a Hollywood-level bag at an ultra-cheap worth. Sadly, there’s little authorized safety accessible for copies of distinctive designs outdoors of trademarked logos or related brand-defining visuals.
To Shein’s credit score, its moral insurance policies are acknowledged clearly on its web site. It emphasizes that its mission is to conduct enterprise lawfully and responsibly. This consists of the suppliers it really works with agreeing to a set of requirements and enormous sections about its dedication to protected work practices and no employee exploitation — the identical kind of subject that Temu has come underneath fireplace for. If you happen to do store at Shein, keep in mind that typically a deal that appears too good is, in actual fact, too good to be true.
