Is Wish Legit & Real? Is Wish Reliable?
There’s no shortage of great deals online, making bargain shopping a favorite pastime of many. One of the popular sites you’ve most likely heard of is Wish.com, and you may have been wondering, “Is Wish legit?”
The internet has made the world smaller in terms of trade and shopping, opening up global competition for your dollars. This has made it easier than ever to get hot deals on everything from clothing to electronics that are made cheaply in other countries.
But, before you hand over your credit card information, you do need to know if it’s safe to shop at Wish.com, and many shoppers and AdvisoryHQ readers are asking, “Is there a Wish scam?”
In this Wish.com review, we are going to get down to the bottom of several security-based questions, such as “Is Wish legit?” and “Is Wish.com safe?”
Our team has virtually hit the pavement – scouring the web for Wish.com reviews written by customers about Wish.com that answer questions any Wish shopper needs to know such as, “Is Wish a scam?” and “Is Wish trustworthy?”
We’ll also take you behind the scenes and explore who owns Wish.com and who you are actually purchasing from when you buy things on Wish. You’ll get a breakdown of how the site scores in many areas, such as customer service and delivery.
AdvisoryHQ’s “AHQ Ratings Score” for Wish.com
Based on our comprehensive analysis, we have assigned a C- rating to Wish.com. The factors driving this AHQ Rating Score are presented in detail in the sections below.
1 (A) = Best
6 (F) = Fail
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AdvisoryHQ’s Score for Wish.com
We have provided detailed documentation of these factors in order to give you a deeper understanding of our scoring methodology, as well as to paint a more complete picture of Wish.com’s strengths and weaknesses.
Wish.com Reviews | Is Wish Legit? Who Owns Wish?
In looking for an answer to the question, “Is Wish a legit site?” we began by looking into who owns Wish and who is behind this San Francisco-based company.
Wish initially began in 2010 as an app that allowed users to create wish lists of things they wanted to buy. The platform was rolled out into a full e-commerce shopping site a few years later. Silicon Valley startup, ContextLogic, is the company that operates Wish.
Founders of this online international shopping site are Danny Zhang, chief technology officer, and Peter Szulczewski, CEO.
Wish.com was designed to connect consumers with product merchants and provide a personalized experience, including the ability to share and suggest items to friends to make it more social media-oriented.
So, we can answer “yes” to “Is Wish.com legit?” It is a legitimate international shopping site and app developed by the team at ContextLogic.
See Also: What You Should Know About Wish (Reviews)
Wish.com Reviews | Is Wish Shopping Safe? What You Need to Know
When you first land on the Wish.com site, you’re going to be required to login with Facebook or Google or set up your own login with your email address. This is before you can even browse the site.
The need to give some type of personal information right away can be off-putting and cause some people to ask the question, “Is Wish legit?”. However, once you get past the login and captcha, you can browse the full site.
A very important fact you need to know when shopping on Wish is that you aren’t buying from a US company. Some users that have been asking if Wish is trustworthy will see that the company is headquartered in San Francisco and assume that’s where shipments originate from.
However, that’s generally NOT the case. Wish.com acts as an intermediary, connecting merchants, and customers through their e-commerce platform, which means you are buying from merchants around the world, not from Wish in San Francisco, California.
Wish.com – Is Wish Reliable?
Many shoppers will wonder, “Is Wish a scam?” once they realize their order is shipping from China or another country and when they have to deal with long shipping times and very different clothing size standards than what they’re used to when buying U.S. sites.
This isn’t uncommon in the online bargain shopping realm because many of the cut-rate items are coming from overseas manufacturers. Most of the hot deal shopping sites similar to Wish, like Zulily or RoseGal, are selling and shipping from Asia.
If you see 80%–90% off from the usual price for clothing, makeup, and accessories, then there is a good chance that what you’re purchasing from a merchant located across the globe and you may experience longer delivery times and unexpected quality issues.
This is one of the main reasons why people may wonder, “Is Wish shopping legit?”
But for many, the deep discounts are worth the risk, and there is honestly a mixture of good and bad experiences, as you’ll see when we get to consumer Wish reviews.
Wish Customer Service
An important factor in answering the question “Is Wish shopping safe?” or “Is Wish shopping legit?” comes from examining their customer service and support.
For many consumers, customer service is even more important than price and they expect a good experience and help from a retailer when they need it. So, how does the customer service at Wish.com rank?
In fact, many negative Wish.com reviews revolve around issues with customer service.
Our Wish.com review took a close look at how their customer service works to help consumers decide for themselves whether Wish shopping online is safe for them.
The company does have a customer service number listed alongside their California office address. Upon dialing the number (1-800-266-0172), customers receive a voice recording that directs them to the customer service portion of the Wish app to view, track, or cancel an order.
If callers cannot locate the customer service link, they are directed to email “[email protected],” and assured that someone will respond to them promptly. Unfortunately, according to Wish reviewers, that doesn’t always happen.
While it isn’t uncommon for online retailers to use email as a primary means of customer service, the fact that you can’t easily get a real person at their customer service number makes customer support problematic at Wish shopping online.
This could potentially be frustrating for customers who are trying to resolve an issue since there is no way to speak to an actual customer service representative or directly to the sellers themselves.
Although Wish.com does offer a customer service line, its sole functions are to direct customers back to the Wish platform and provide an email address.
While they list their Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram pages on their contact page, we reviewed their Facebook page and saw many questions from shoppers go unanswered by the company.
When you click the “customer support” link in their menu, an automated support assistant will pop up, but it appears to be fully automated.
Wish Customer Support Service Interface
So, does the level of customer support have an impact on the question, “Is Wish shopping safe?” That depends on whether speaking with an actual human being is important to you.
It’s worth noting that customers are limited in their options when it comes to Wish customer support–and a strong customer service department is part of what instills consumer confidence and trust in any online retailer.
If you prefer to have the option to speak with a real, live human being–rather than emailing or resolving order issues via the Wish app–then you may want to revisit the question, “Is Wish safe?”
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Is Wish Reliable? Who Are You Buying Items from?
As mentioned, Wish is not a retailer themselves, rather Wish is set up to connect the buyer with multiple merchants across the globe for incredibly good deals.
So, while you are shopping on Wish or the Wish App and wondering if the rock-bottom prices indicate a Wish.com scam, understand that you are dealing with multiple sellers, and some may be more trustworthy than others.
And while Wish has its own customer support, when you buy, you are actually sharing your credit card details and personal information with any number of different entities, depending upon what you order. Which can make resolving any issues much more complicated.
Wish Store Sellers
Since you’re purchasing from different sellers when you buy items on Wish, your experience can vary as to the quality of an item, the sizing, and whether you receive what you paid for.
Within each item detail, you’ll see the nickname of the seller under “Sold By.” You’ll also see the individual seller’s store ratings and feedback they’ve received from shoppers, which can help you gauge how your experience may be.
It’s good to remember, however, that these ratings are hosted on the Wish site, rather than coming from an impartial third party.
Wish Shopping Online & Refund Policy
Part of answering the question, “Is Wish trustworthy?” comes from taking a closer look at how the platform handles its refunds.
Because Wish.com simply connects merchants to customers around the world, it is important to consider the trustworthiness of these vendors and what you can do if you aren’t happy with your order experience.
Our Wish.com review took a look at how to get a refund on Wish and there are some notable restrictions that shoppers should be aware of:
Refund Timeframe
According to the Wish refund policy, customers have to place their refund requests through the Wish app within 30 days of the date of delivery. If the item hasn’t arrived, it should be placed within 30 days of the most recent estimated delivery date.
Failure to adhere to that 30-day window means you’re out of luck, as Wish says they have no obligation to consider requests outside of those timeframes.
The site notes that same day (within 8 hours) cancellations “may be credited with Wish Cash,” which may not make shoppers happy who would expect a refund back to the payment card they used rather than the equivalent of store credit.
Some customers wonder, “Is Wish legit?” because they find out that once that initial 8 hours has passed, if they want to cancel for a refund, it will only be considered for items that haven’t arrived, arrive damaged, or arrive incorrect (i.e. wrong size, color).
High Refund Ratio
As a way to ensure quality and customer satisfaction, Wish.com monitors and evaluates refund ratios to determine whether the percentage of refunds to sales is too high for a particular item.
Products are evaluated during 30-day periods. If the ratio is extremely high (too many refunds relative to the number of items sold), that particular product is permanently removed from Wish.com.
Here’s an example of what Wish.com considers to be an extremely high refund ratio:
“Product B has 60 orders and 40% refund ratio during the 63 – 93 day period. Product B is an Extremely High Refund Product and is removed from Wish.”
Our Wish.com review found a few potential pitfalls within this policy:
- While shoppers can see shop reviews and Wish.com reviews on individual items, there doesn’t seem to be a way for shoppers to view refund ratios prior to purchasing.
- Until a refund ratio reaches an extremely high level, products will remain listed for sale. Merchants can choose to remove high refund ratio items at their discretion.
So, is Wish trustworthy? Is Wish shopping safe & reliable?
Wish.com makes a great effort towards monitoring product quality with their refund ratio policy–but it’s worth noting that products are only removed after they reach extremely high levels.
Additionally, shoppers do not seem to have access to these ratios, so they’re not given the opportunity to make a fully informed decision. If Wish shopping online also included refund ratios, customers could potentially avoid the hassle of purchasing an item that has been frequently refunded.
Given the lack of transparency about refund ratios–and the lack of specificity regarding Wish.com’s responsibility with resolving refund disputes–, it seems that Wish.com is not supporting consumer trust.
Popular Article: Apps Like Wish | Wish App Alternatives Reviews
Wish.com Reviews: How to Have the Best Wish Shopping Online Experience
Knowing that you’re buying from different merchants is key to answering, “Is Wish shopping safe?” We’ve gathered a few tips below that will answer the question, “Is Wish safe?”
- Check out the ratings in the “Store Ratings” tab in the item window, which are specific to the merchant you’re buying from.
- Avoid any merchants noted in Wish reviews and “Is Wish a scam?” searches as making unauthorized charges to credit cards.
- Be sure to check the “Shipping” tab so you understand the delivery time frame and also the return policy.
- Understand that, according to several “Is Wish legit?” reviews, that sizing in Asian countries tends to run about 2 sizes smaller than US sizing. (i.e., order an XL instead of an M).
- Expect long shipping time frames. Many customer reviews answering “Is Wish.com a scam?” complain about incredibly long shipping times that can be eight weeks or more.
Now, let’s take a deeper look into many of the online Wish reviews that discuss topics such as “Is Wish.com legit?” and “Is Wish safe?”
Wish Shopping Reviews (Positive & Negative) | Is Wish a Scam?
To get a full overview of what shoppers think of their Wish.com experience, we’ll look at both positive and negative reviews to help answer the questions, “Is Wish legit?” and “Is Wish.com a scam?”.
Wish.com Review
We’ve checked out several sources and highlighted some key reviews you should read below.
SiteJabber Wish Reviews – Is Wish Trustworthy?
Wish Reviews (+):
- This five-star review warns, “Know what the service is before jumping on or off.” The customer had bought several cheaply priced items with no problems and knew what to expect buying from Chinese vendors.
- Another reviewer that would say “yes” to the question, “Is Wish.com safe?” said that the items “arrived well before the expected delivery time,” and that the individual was “very happy.”
Wish Reviews (-):
- A reviewer that would definitely answer positively to, “Is Wish a scam?” said that after placing an order, it was rejected, but the money was never refunded. The person called Wish a “hoax online.”
- A reviewer that gave 1-star mentioned how “some items are good, others broken or damaged,” and some never arrive. The individual also complained about the poor customer support from Wish.com that promised help but never did.
TrustPilot Wish Reviews – Is Wish Shopping Safe?
Wish Reviews (+):
- A 4-star review that would answer positively to the question, “Is Wish a legit site?” claimed that most people don’t understand that they’re purchasing from different vendors and don’t separate them from Wish itself. She enjoyed her experience and says “it’s a nice site.”
- A reviewer from Austria gave Wish a 5-star review, emphasizing a big “yes” to the question, “Is Wish shopping legit?” The individual had ordered several items, and only one did not arrive in the expected time frame. The reviewer said that their “customer service is brilliant.”
Wish Reviews (-):
- A reviewer from Denmark warns “Don’t use wish!!!!” in her review. She saw extra charges on her bank account shortly after shopping on Wish from a different vendor than she purchased from and was not able to contact them. She would definitely answer positively to the question, “Is Wish.com a scam?”
- A UK shopper that tried to purchase three items from three different vendors received notice, after inquiring 35 days after the order, that the vendors could not fulfill the order. He stated, “It seems that wish is luring buyers in with discount prices…but vendors are unable to stick to their side of the deal.” He used PayPal, which has an insurance policy, so he received his money back.
Better Business Bureau (BBB) – Is Wish.com Legit?
Wish Reviews(+):
- One reviewer who would say “yes” to the question, “Is Wish safe?” stated that she had been ordering from Wish for over a year and said, “I’ve never had a problem with them refunding me.” She says she’d then score a perfect 10.
- Another reviewer said that she and her daughter have ordered about 25 items within 3 months and they “loved every item we received.” Although not all items were “top of the line,” they were well-priced. She would also positively answer the question, “Is Wish a safe site?”
Wish Reviews(-):
- One reviewer ordered numerous items through three separate orders and after three months, had not yet received any of them. The customer stated, “This is a truly bad business practice” and doubted ever using the site again. This person would definitely give a thumbs up to the question, “Is Wish.com a scam?”
- Another reviewer warned of counterfeit products. The individual had ordered a specific brand and color of eyeshadow and, upon receiving it, said that the “colors weren’t even the same.”
BBB Pattern of Complaint Warning
At the top of the Wish.com review at the Better Business Bureau, they have a Pattern of Complaint warning for consumers.
It mentions that a BBB review of Wish was done in April of 2019, and they noted a pattern of complaints relating to things such as items not being received, delays in receiving refunds for returned items, unauthorized credit card purchases, and other issues that BBB felt it should bring to the attention of consumers.
Related: What You Need to Know About the Wish App
Wish.com Reviews | Is Wish Legit? What Is Other Media Saying?
After looking over the customer Wish.com reviews, we looked into what media outlets were saying in answer to the questions, “Is Wish.com legit?” and “Is Wish a scam?”
We found a few articles about Wish online from Tech Crunch, Practical Ecommerce, and Forbes and have highlighted a few key points below that will help you decide, “Is Wish.com real?” and “Is Wish legit?”
Tech Crunch – “The hot e-commerce app Wish has ‘hundreds of millions of users’ (plus other fascinating stats)” by Connie Loizos
- The company has raised nearly $600 million from investors for Wish.
- CEO Peter Szulczewski is a computer scientist who spent 6.5 years at Google before co-founding ContextLogic from which Wish evolved.
- The concept for Wish was based upon the thinking that people were willing to spend $20, $30 or $50, but not much more than that in a shopping experience.
- In 2015, the gross merchandise sales were in “the single-digit billions.” So, the answer to “Is Wish.com real?” is “yes” from its bankers!
- The company found that educating Chinese merchants to other buyers was necessary as “…consumer expectations in China are very different. Like, if you order a red sweater and you get a blue one, [shoppers are] like, ‘Eh, next time.’ So, we have a lot of merchants that have only sold to Chinese consumers and we have to educate them that it’s not okay to ship a blue sweater because you don’t have any red sweaters in stock.”
Practical Ecommerce – “Ecommerce Lessons from the Wish Shopping App” by Armando Roggio
- The Wish app uses data mining and algorithms to show users products they are likely to buy, save or share based on their behaviors.
- Most sellers in the Wish marketplace are from China or other Asian countries, but sellers anywhere can also list on Wish.
- Slow shipping is one of the main reasons for bad reviews about Wish and why people are asking, “Is Wish a scam?”
- The large customer base that it has is one of the key values of Wish.
Vox – “Wish, the super popular, ultra-cheap shopping app, explained” by Hilary George-Parkin
- Most deliveries’ estimated range from two to four weeks.
- At its last funding round in 2017, Wish was valued at over $8.7 billion.
- It was the world’s most downloaded e-commerce app in 2018, with 161 million installs.
Wish Review Verdict | Is Wish.com Safe? Is Wish a Scam?
After an intense research process on where Wish.com came from, who you are buying from, and what customers are saying, it’s time to answer the questions, “Is Wish a scam?” and “Is Wish.com legit?”
The answers to these questions can be tricky and very subjective. Is Wish a scam? There are plenty of satisfied customers who have received their orders and were thrilled at the low prices, and Wish.com does have proven success, so the platform itself is not a scam.
But, when looking at Wish, you also have to look at all the individual merchants, because that’s who you’re ultimately purchasing from. And it’s entirely possible that individual merchants on Wish.com might be creating their own Wish.com scams.
An excess of negative reviews regarding product shipments means that you can’t always depend on receiving what you ordered, and questionable credit card charges should spark suspicion.
The fact that the BBB thought it necessary to flag the company for excessive complaints also is something else you should keep in mind when wondering, “Is Wish.com legit?” or “Is Wish reliable?”
The platform certainly is legit, but given the amount of negative Wish.com reviews, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it is the best choice for shopping online.
As with many other super low-priced shopping sites with merchandise that comes from China, you have to understand that you may not be getting the quality you want or receive it as fast as you normally expect.
In exchange, however, you get incredibly discounted prices, which may make Wish shopping online worth it for some consumers.
By reading some of the customer reviews, you can pick up great tips, like using PayPal and its buyer insurance policy to ensure you will get a refund should anything go wrong.
Because items on Wish come from many different sellers, you will want to make sure you read not only the product reviews but reviews about the merchant you’re buying from.
So, “Is Wish a safe site?” Well, after looking at multiple Wish reviews, it depends upon the merchant you purchase from. If you find a good one, then you can get incredible deals, but it may take some time and trial and error to find the best sellers.
The abundance of negative Wish reviews stating suspicious or unwarranted credit card charges is enough to warrant a word of caution when using the Wish online shopping platform.
Ultimately, shoppers need to be fully aware that Wish shopping online is an international marketplace. As with any marketplace, there are both good and bad vendors.
If you do your research, understand, and accept the risks with shipping times, refund policies, Wish customer service, and merchant responsibilities, you can definitely take advantage of some great shopping deals on Wish.
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