Log into the Wish app and you are greeted by an assortment of products – from cooking utensils to AirPod knockoffs.
You may stumble upon outrageously cheap Bluetooth headphones and wireless phone chargers or whimsical swan-shaped toilet brush holders, depending on your personal demographics and shopping proclivities.
Moreover, unbelievably low prices are a cherry on top, pushing you to buy everything you need (and do not need!) At the same time, this may raise suspicions about the site’s legitimacy, which is seemingly too good to be true.
So, is Wish legit and safe or that’s just our wishful thinking? Let’s find out.
What is Wish?
Wish is an e-commerce platform that allows users to purchase products directly from merchants.
You can think of it as Amazon or eBay, with a collection of extremely eclectic and cheap goods. Alongside low prices, this online shopping website is also popular among the masses for an array of free products.
As a result, the company has a huge presence in the global e-commerce industry since its inception in 2010.
Is Wish Legit And Safe?
Wish is a real company based in San Francisco and has real companies selling goods on its platform. Therefore, the service is as legit as eBay or Amazon.
But here’s the catch – shopping on Wish comes with some risks. Most of the merchants on this platform are based in China, which means that a significant chunk of merchandise sold on Wish is counterfeit.
Therefore, while Wish is legit, the products sold on the website may not be.
Needless to say, the $40 iPhone that shoppers can purchase from Wish is certainly not a genuine Apple product. In fact, it can be difficult to gauge the authenticity of such merchandises until you place an order and receive them in hand.
Moreover, it is highly unlikely that you will spot major companies selling goods on this platform. However, this has not stopped Wish from ranking among the top e-commerce marketplaces in the United States.
Why Are Products On Wish So Cheap?
There are three main reasons why Wish products are so cheap.
- First of all, there are several counterfeit goods sold on Wish, which come with a considerably lower price tag than genuine products.
- Secondly, Wish.com products arrive from the factory to the consumer’s doorstep, thereby eliminating middlemen and reducing costs.
- Finally, the materials of products are not the best in terms of quality, which is another cost cutting measure.
That said, while the products are made using cheap materials, low prices are also traced back to the country wherein they are manufactured, i.e., China.
The country’s labor policies make room for retailers to produce goods in larger volumes at a considerably low cost. Sellers ship their products directly to their customers, which saves them the hassle of maintaining brick-and-mortar stores.
These retailers can also store merchandise in warehouses owned by Wish and ship them as soon as an order is placed.
In addition, an agreement between the US Postal Service and China Post permits a special rate for the shipment of parcels weighing up to 4.4 pounds. Interestingly, these shipping rates can often be cheaper than the applicable rates for shipping between US states.
As a result, these savings go straight into the pockets of a consumer.
Are Products Genuine On Wish.com?
There is an entire segment of such reviews on YouTube, with experiences on both spectra of the things. You will also find cheap knock-offs of various products there. Wish.com does not have Internationally recognized brands.
You will find the most niche products here, which are difficult to buy anywhere else. They range from pigeon carriers, netted trousers, etc., to HDMI cables. The electronics might work just fine, but we don’t want to bet our money on the durability or quality.
Does Wish Steal Your Information?
It is natural to be apprehensive while submitting your credit card information on Wish. However surprisingly, the truth is that this website is as safe as any other e-commerce platform.
Wish calls for you to create an account in order to view its products. Therefore, you must input your personal details, such as your name and email address. Additionally, the website tracks your internet browser, IP address, location, and social media information, alongside the items that you view on this platform.
There is always the risk of this website being hacked, with Wish being no exception. So, while your concern for data breaches is valid, the website itself does not steal your information.
Points To Remember When Buying From Wish
- Keep tabs on orders
When shopping from Wish, do not expect a same-day Amazon Prime delivery. In fact, 7-8 days is a quick shipping time for Wish.Additionally, some customers report that products do not arrive for several months after purchase. Besides, there is also the possibility that an order will not reach you at all.Therefore, when buying items on Wish, remember to keep track of your order. - Pay heed to reviews
Online shoppers tend to nit-pick if a product fails to meet their expectations. So, it is generally advised to take their reviews with a grain of salt. However, when it comes to Wish, we suggest that you do not ignore product reviews.Some items on this website are “verified by Wish shoppers”, which implies that they have received positive reviews from consumers. On the other hand, if a majority of reviews for a product are negative, you might want to reconsider your purchase. - Keep an eye out for misleading information
Numerous products on Wish have incorrect product descriptions and misleading images. As a result, you cannot rely on descriptions or images as they make the products appear a lot better than they actually are.As mentioned earlier, the key is to read reviews before buying a product on Wish. - Get the Right Size
There is no universal size for clothes. The US, UK and other sizes also differ, depending on the brand you choose. Moreover, the small, medium, large, and extra large will vary according to countries.
Make sure to check the measurements in inches, centimeters or any other unit which can be measured by you.
Customers Review On Wish
We read thousands of comments review and ratings about wish.com on site like trustpilot, mouthshut, etc to find out mixed reactions of the customers.
Most of the customers were happy with Wish. You can start small by ordering an item of smaller value, thus reducing the scope of financial loss to you.
While several complained about delay in delivery, not receiving exactly the same product as they ordered, cheap, low quality and damaged product and in some cases delivery charges being higher than that of the actual product itself.
How is Wish’s Refund Policy?
Wish.com promises a 30-day money-back guarantee which you can claim if the product s not received within the estimated delivery date.
There is a finer print here, mentioning that you will be partially refunded if there has been a delay during transit. The amount will include shipping costs or fees.
Effective March 2022, Wish.com has stopped shipping to a few regions, including India. Your in-transit goods will still reach you while expecting follow-up orders is not recommended.
FAQ
Do Wish Sell Fake Products?
While Wish has a very strict policy for its seller to sell only genuine products and to avoid fake, counterfeits, and knockoffs.
It has been complained by several of its users in the past that they received low-quality products.
Is wish A Chinese Company?
Wish is an American e-commerce site. It is operated by ContextLogic Inc. with its headquarters based in San Francisco, United States.
Conclusion
While it can be tempting to go on a shopping-spree with Wish, it is wise to be cautious.
So, before you fill your cart with its unbelievably cheap products, we suggest that you second guess yourself and take the aforementioned points into account.
