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Has anyone shopped on Shein?

(65 Posts)
neverenoughsleep Wed 15-Oct-25 11:12:17

Been looking to buy small craft items to use with grandchildren and came across Shein. Prices seem incredibly low so is there a catch?

crazyH Wed 15-Oct-25 11:19:17

Yes, I have, although there are lots of GNetters who won’t touch it with a barge pole - on principle. - ‘slave labour ‘ and all that. Well, at least , these cheap outlets have created jobs for those who would otherwise have no jobs and no money at all.

twinnytwin Wed 15-Oct-25 11:25:36

I believe Shein is a Chinese company, hence the very low prices. I personally wouldn't buy from them, ditto Temu. There's been a lot of feedback regarding the low quality of their clothing and the fact that it all ends in landfill. Can't comment on craft stuff.
I guess there will be some that buy from them, I wont.

NotSpaghetti Wed 15-Oct-25 11:48:41

I bought some crafting items and beads from Temu before they were well known.
They were just what I wanted and perfectly fine but I wouldn't buy from either Temu or Shien again now I know more about them.

After I bought my beads etc I saw exactly the same sets/items in the same packaging for sale on more reputable websites for twice or three times the price.
I think they are either copies (on Temu) OR the other websites (also ebay/amazon/NOTHS etc) are buying in bulk and selling on.

Maremia Wed 15-Oct-25 11:58:28

Daughter buys from them. Some lovely jumpers. I prefer to consider the ethics as above.

Parsley3 Wed 15-Oct-25 12:01:19

If the prices are ridiculously low, then someone somewhere is losing out. Temu and Shein are not charitable organisations creating jobs for the poor and needy.

Charleygirl5 Wed 15-Oct-25 12:04:07

The clothes, mainly tops I have bought have been admired. They look well-made. My only criticism is that nothing is wool, even the jumpers are cotton.

NotSpaghetti Wed 15-Oct-25 12:10:05

This is about Temu.
I expect Shien is the same:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy4rj11ylldo.amp

NotSpaghetti Wed 15-Oct-25 12:15:12

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdrylgvr77jo

NotSpaghetti Wed 15-Oct-25 12:15:33

This second is about shien clothes

ViceVersa Wed 15-Oct-25 12:24:25

Yes, I have and would again. Ok, so the stuff's not the best quality, but that doesn't really bother me. Cheap and cheerful suits me just fine.

LadyGracie Wed 15-Oct-25 14:09:17

I did a couple of years ago, I ordered 3 dresses, received 1 then after chasing them received the second but never received the third. The two I did receive were hideous, they were supposed to be cotton but were cheap shiny material.
I gave up asking for my money back and the two dresses went in a charity bag.

petra Wed 15-Oct-25 14:12:41

neverenoughsleep

Been looking to buy small craft items to use with grandchildren and came across Shein. Prices seem incredibly low so is there a catch?

Whether you buy those craft items from Shein/Temu/ Amazon/ EBay etc etc tgey will all have been made in China.
So go with the price😂

Biscuitmuncher Wed 15-Oct-25 18:07:51

I've had some beautiful nightdresses, no problem with them

hollysteers Wed 15-Oct-25 18:16:57

My friend bought a wedding outfit from Shein for her daughter’s wedding and was absolutely delighted with it! She vaguely told her rather fussy daughter she got it ‘online’. The previous year she had spent a fortune on an outfit she hated on the day for her son’s wedding.
Ethics, well yes, but maybe as said, people have jobs and companionship they might not otherwise have.
Never tried it myself as hate returning things.

petra Wed 15-Oct-25 18:44:07

Hollysteers
The Chinese companies are so efficient with their returns policy the others ( Amazon &Ebay) had to up their game.

BeneathTheHowlingStars Thu 16-Oct-25 14:00:25

I love Shein. I buy all sorts on there. I have bought quite a few solar lights for my mum's garden and she is thrilled with them all. I like their gothic jewellery and have quite a few bits that I always wear. I am really enjoying the Halloween decorations they have at the moment as it's stuff that I will use all year.

BrandyGran Thu 16-Oct-25 14:03:11

Look at the labels on all clothes- most of them are made in China.
I read that Shein and Temu are distributing companies for smaller manufacturers. A bit like Amazon.

Sarnia Thu 16-Oct-25 14:07:08

I have bought craft items from Shein & Temu. Very reasonable compared to others and very popular with my GC.
Some on here don't like these companies but I work on the principle that they employ people who otherwise might have no job, so no way of providing for their families.

Iwtwab12bow Thu 16-Oct-25 14:14:20

Try Etsy, crafters selling on the marketplace, not cheap,but reputable.

Crossstitchfan Thu 16-Oct-25 14:17:06

Horrendous experience from both companies. Some goods didn’t arrive but it’s impossible to get your money back. The things that did arrive were not usable.
Very disappointed. Don’t waste your money.

Glenfinnan Thu 16-Oct-25 14:17:21

I bought jumpers from Shein … quality was ok but sizing was a bit hit and miss. However I do use Temu for household bits and bobs … pleased with my purchases!

suelld Thu 16-Oct-25 14:18:41

Not Shein but regularly use Temu… you have to double check what you buy, with craft items check sizes, quantity and colour etc. with clothes, NEVER GO by the initial picture, look at the rest of the images close up. I have bought lots of clothes, cards, crafty and gifts etc. very happy with most. THe odd dud but they are good about returns…often just refunding. Apart from the morals about buying from China. I’m too poor to have those! I love Temu.

twiglet77 Thu 16-Oct-25 14:20:27

I have no inclination to knowingly buy from Chinese businesses , nothing would tempt me to support Shein, nor Temu, at any price.

Gogo84 Thu 16-Oct-25 14:26:33

I hate the fact that they are blatantly plegerising British companies goods, and I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole either. It's all very well to say that purchases are supporting workers who may not have a job, but what about British firms who may go under because they are being undermined with such cheap prices, then their workers would be out of a job. China have a habit of stealing other countries designs for various goods then selling them much cheaper. I have never found a Mark's label saying made in China. Lots of other places in the world, but not China. But then I try not to buy anything with palm oil in it either