Shopee: Difference between revisions
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{{Incomplete|Issue 1=Article contains original research. Needs more references and in-text citations.}}{{Cleanup}}{{CompanyCargo | |||
{{ | |Description= | ||
| | |Founded=2015 | ||
| | |Industry=E-commerce | ||
| Founded = 2015 | |Logo=Shopee.png | ||
| Industry = | |ParentCompany= | ||
| | |Type=Subsidiary | ||
|Website=https://shopee.com/ | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''{{Wplink|Shopee|Shopee Pte., Ltd.}}''', commonly known as '''Shopee''', is an e-commerce website, founded in 2015 in Singapore, operating primarily in southeast Asia and Latin America. Shopee operates under '''{{Wplink|Sea Ltd}}''', which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the $SE ticker.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sea Limited (SE) |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/SE/ |url-status=live |access-date=19 Mar 2025 |website=yahoo! finance |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251203084054/https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/SE/ |archive-date=3 Dec 2025}}</ref> | |||
Shopee has been named the largest e-commerce platform in southeast Asia, with almost half of the region's $47.9 billion USD in total gross merchandise volume in 2023 being attributed to Shopee.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ecommerce in Southeast Asia 2023 |url=https://momentum.asia/product/ecommerce-in-southeast-asia-2023/ |url-status=live |access-date=19 Mar 2025 |website=Momentum |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250819070741/https://momentum.asia/product/ecommerce-in-southeast-asia-2023/ |archive-date=19 Aug 2025}}</ref> | |||
Shopee | Coincidentally, Shopee is known to engage in unethical behavior. While Shopee does not sell the majority of its products directly and relies on a vast number of sellers to shape its online marketplace, the fact that unethical or illegal practices have been allowed to continue for years and are still present to this day without any intervention suggest that Shopee is complicit in misleading consumers. | ||
==Review Manipulation== | |||
== | ===Incentivized reviews=== | ||
{{Incomplete section}} | |||
<!-- TODO: Discuss users being incentivized to post five-star reviews before using or unboxing products --> | |||
=== | ===Removal of unfavorable reviews=== | ||
{{Incomplete section}} | |||
===Product and review stacking=== | |||
=== Product and | |||
Shopee enables review fraud and manipulation further by allowing multiple variants of a product to be listed under one product listing. | Shopee enables review fraud and manipulation further by allowing multiple variants of a product to be listed under one product listing. | ||
This is obviously intended for use cases such as: | This is obviously intended for use cases such as: | ||
# Same base product with different colors as variants (e.g. Clothes, home appliances) | #Same base product with different colors as variants (e.g. Clothes, home appliances) | ||
# Same base product with different sizes as variants (e.g. Phone cases) | #Same base product with different sizes as variants (e.g. Phone cases) | ||
==== Stacking | ====Stacking used and new products==== | ||
Unethical sellers often group used and new products together, so that the lower price shows up on search results (see the given screenshot on Alienware AW3225QF). | |||
In the given example: | In the given example: | ||
* The customer is able to see | *The customer is able to see {{Wplink|Malaysian ringgit|RM}}4,690 ($1,040 USD) as the listed price of the Alienware AW3225QF monitor on search results and the seller's storefront. | ||
[[File:Shopee_product_stacking_misleading_pricing.png|thumb|Shopee product stacking and review stacking by listing multiple variants under 1 product listing.]] | [[File:Shopee_product_stacking_misleading_pricing.png|thumb|Shopee product stacking and review stacking by listing multiple variants under 1 product listing.]] | ||
* Upon clicking on the product, the customer will discover that the displayed price of RM4,690 is actually for a refurbished product.<ref>https://shopee.com.my/Alienware-AW3225QF-32-4K-QD-OLED-Gaming-Monitor-240Hz-(OC)-Refresh-Rate-0.03-ms-Response-Rate-with-Free-Shipping-i.64728735.25162663808</ref> | *Upon clicking on the product, the customer will discover that the displayed price of RM4,690 is actually for a refurbished product.<ref>https://shopee.com.my/Alienware-AW3225QF-32-4K-QD-OLED-Gaming-Monitor-240Hz-(OC)-Refresh-Rate-0.03-ms-Response-Rate-with-Free-Shipping-i.64728735.25162663808 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250827070327/https://shopee.com.my/Alienware-AW3225QF-32-4K-QD-OLED-Gaming-Monitor-240Hz-(OC)-Refresh-Rate-0.03-ms-Response-Rate-with-Free-Shipping-i.64728735.25162663808 Archived])</ref> | ||
* The real cost to buy the product new is | *The real cost to buy the product new is RM5,170 ($1,147 USD). | ||
==== Stacking | ====Stacking completely different products==== | ||
Some sellers also outright group different, unrelated products together under one listing to stack reviews | Some sellers also outright group different, unrelated products together under one listing to stack reviews (see the screenshot on Dell UltraSharp U4025QW). | ||
In the given example: | In the given example: | ||
* The customer searches for a "Dell U4025QW" and sees one listed for RM7,000 (1,553 USD) in search results. | *The customer searches for a "Dell U4025QW" and sees one listed for RM7,000 ($1,553 USD) in search results. | ||
* Upon clicking on the product, the customer will discover that the displayed price is actually for a refurbished Dell U4021QW (a different, older product that is refurbished).<ref>https://shopee.com.my/Dell-UltraSharp-U4025QW-U4021QW-5K-Curved-Thunderbolt-Hub-WUHD-Monitor-with-IPS-Black-Panel-Free-Shipping-i.64728735.6081544385</ref> | *Upon clicking on the product, the customer will discover that the displayed price is actually for a refurbished Dell U4021QW (a different, older product that is refurbished).<ref>https://shopee.com.my/Dell-UltraSharp-U4025QW-U4021QW-5K-Curved-Thunderbolt-Hub-WUHD-Monitor-with-IPS-Black-Panel-Free-Shipping-i.64728735.6081544385 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250708195034/https://shopee.com.my/Dell-UltraSharp-U4025QW-U4021QW-5K-Curved-Thunderbolt-Hub-WUHD-Monitor-with-IPS-Black-Panel-Free-Shipping-i.64728735.6081544385 Archived])</ref> | ||
* And the real cost to buy the Dell U4025QW new is actually | *And the real cost to buy the Dell U4025QW new is actually RM 9,740 ($2,161 USD). | ||
=== Product | ===Product hijacking=== | ||
Shopee enables its sellers to completely change a listed product in title, description and images, while retaining reviews of the originally listed product. This allows sellers to boost newly launched products which would not yet have any buyers, to have glowing 5-star reviews | Shopee enables its sellers to completely change a listed product in title, description and images, while retaining reviews of the originally listed product. This allows sellers to boost newly launched products, which would not yet have any buyers, to immediately have glowing 5-star reviews. | ||
[[File:Shopee manipulated product listing carry forward old reviews.png|thumb|Product review hijacking example: Multiple 5 star reviews on the Shopee product page of a Dell UltraSharp U4025QW monitor dating back as early as June 2021. The Dell UltraSharp U4025QW was announced on January 3, 2024 and "available globally beginning February 27, 2024."]] | [[File:Shopee manipulated product listing carry forward old reviews.png|thumb|Product review hijacking example: Multiple 5 star reviews on the Shopee product page of a Dell UltraSharp U4025QW monitor dating back as early as June 2021. The Dell UltraSharp U4025QW was announced on January 3, 2024 and "available globally beginning February 27, 2024."]] | ||
In the pictured example of a Dell UltraSharp U4025QW monitor, there are multiple 5 star reviews on its Shopee product page dating back as early as June 2021. | In the pictured example of a Dell UltraSharp U4025QW monitor, there are multiple 5-star reviews on its Shopee product page dating back as early as June 2021.{{Citation needed}} The Dell UltraSharp U4025QW was announced on January 3, 2024 and "available globally beginning February 27, 2024."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Yoon |date=3 Jan 2024 |title=Meet the New Five-Star Certified Monitors for Eye Comfort |url=https://www.dell.com/en-sg/blog/meet-the-new-five-star-certified-monitors-for-eye-comfort/ |url-status=live |access-date=19 Mar 2025 |website=Dell Blog |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250826182123/https://www.dell.com/en-sg/blog/meet-the-new-five-star-certified-monitors-for-eye-comfort/ |archive-date=26 Aug 2025}}</ref> | ||
== Forced | ==Forced app download== | ||
E-commerce giant Shopee which has a strong hold in online retail in South East Asia and Latin America has integrated a soft [[forced app download]] experience to their customer experience since 2022 through coupon use restrictions.{{Citation needed}} | |||
While it is still possible to browse, shop and checkout on a web browser, coupons usable on the web experience (regardless if mobile or desktop device) are limited to "Shipping Discount" coupons only. All other shopping coupons "Discount & Cashback" are only usable with Shopee's apps on iOS and Android. | While it is still possible to browse, shop and checkout on a web browser, coupons usable on the web experience (regardless if mobile or desktop device) are limited to "Shipping Discount" coupons only. All other shopping coupons "Discount & Cashback" are only usable with Shopee's apps on iOS and Android.{{Citation needed}} | ||
When a customer attempts to check out on a web browser, Shopee shows that Discount & Cashback coupons are not usable because "Current device does not meet voucher T&C." On closer inspection of the terms and conditions of those coupons, Shopee specifies "Device: iOS, Android." What they are referring to is you must download and use their mobile apps for those operating systems in order to use most of their coupons. As pictured, the coupons are still not available on iOS and Android devices if the customer is using their web browser. They are required to download the Shopee app. | When a customer attempts to check out on a web browser, Shopee shows that Discount & Cashback coupons are not usable because "Current device does not meet voucher T&C." On closer inspection of the terms and conditions of those coupons, Shopee specifies "Device: iOS, Android." What they are referring to is you must download and use their mobile apps for those operating systems in order to use most of their coupons. As pictured, the coupons are still not available on iOS and Android devices if the customer is using their web browser. They are required to download the Shopee app.{{Citation needed}} | ||
[[File:Shopee restricts coupon usage to app only.png|thumb|'''LEFT:''' Shopee limits customers to using "Shipping Discount" coupons only if checking out on a web browser (desktop and mobile).'''MIDDLE:''' All other shopping coupons "Discount & Cashback" are only usable with Shopee's apps on iOS and Android.'''RIGHT:''' Closer inspection of the terms and conditions where Shopee specifies a device requirement for using many of their coupons.When Shopee specifies "Device: iOS, Android," they mean customers must download and use their mobile apps for those operating systems in order to use most of their coupons. Using a web browser on iOS and Android does not count and the coupons in question remain disabled in this scenario.]] | [[File:Shopee restricts coupon usage to app only.png|thumb|'''LEFT:''' Shopee limits customers to using "Shipping Discount" coupons only if checking out on a web browser (desktop and mobile).'''MIDDLE:''' All other shopping coupons "Discount & Cashback" are only usable with Shopee's apps on iOS and Android.'''RIGHT:''' Closer inspection of the terms and conditions where Shopee specifies a device requirement for using many of their coupons. When Shopee specifies "Device: iOS, Android," they mean customers must download and use their mobile apps for those operating systems in order to use most of their coupons. Using a web browser on iOS and Android does not count and the coupons in question remain disabled in this scenario.]] | ||
[[File:Shopee product stacking different product.png|thumb|Shopee product stacking with seller listing unrelated products as variants under 1 product listing.]] | [[File:Shopee product stacking different product.png|thumb|Shopee product stacking with seller listing unrelated products as variants under 1 product listing.]] | ||
== Misleading | ==Misleading advertising== | ||
=== Misleading | ===Misleading coupon codes=== | ||
Displaying large discounts but with usage limits create a false sense of a good deal. Their most common misleading coupon is "-75% OFF! Max $1 discount." | Displaying large discounts but with usage limits create a false sense of a good deal. Their most common misleading coupon is "-75% OFF! Max $1 discount." | ||
The first pictured example shows a misleading coupon code from Shopee Malaysia (though Shopee also does this throughout the regions in which it operates) with "30% off" but multiple usage terms: "Capped at RM9" (USD | The first pictured example shows a misleading coupon code from Shopee Malaysia (though Shopee also does this throughout the regions in which it operates) with "30% off" but multiple usage terms: "Capped at RM9" ($2 USD) but "Minimum spend RM20" ($4.50 USD). | ||
This effectively means the customer has to buy within a range of RM20-RM30 in order for the coupon's advertised 30% off to be true. Past RM30 where the RM9 cap amount is hit, the coupon no longer provides 30% off (i.e. the customer can keep increasing the amount purchased, but the discount is capped at a fixed price, meaning the percentage discount drops below the advertised 30% number). | This effectively means the customer has to buy within a range of RM20-RM30 in order for the coupon's advertised 30% off to be true. Past RM30 where the RM9 cap amount is hit, the coupon no longer provides 30% off (i.e. the customer can keep increasing the amount purchased, but the discount is capped at a fixed price, meaning the percentage discount drops below the advertised 30% number). | ||
[[File:Shopee voucher with cap2.png|thumb|Another misleading coupon from Shopee with "80% off" but "capped at RM5" (USD 1.10). The cap is reached with a purchase amount of RM6.25 ( | [[File:Shopee voucher with cap2.png|thumb|Another misleading coupon from Shopee with "80% off" but "capped at RM5" (USD 1.10). The cap is reached with a purchase amount of RM6.25 ($1.40 USD).]] | ||
The second pictured example shows another misleading coupon from Shopee with "80% off" but "capped at RM5" ( | The second pictured example shows another misleading coupon from Shopee with "80% off" but "capped at RM5" ($1.10 USD). The cap is reached with a purchase amount of RM6.25 ($1.40 USD). | ||
[[File:Shopee voucher with cap.png|thumb|Misleading coupon code with "30% off" but "Capped at RM9" (USD | [[File:Shopee voucher with cap.png|thumb|Misleading coupon code with "30% off" but "Capped at RM9" ($2 USD) but "Minimum spend RM20" ($4.50 USD). This forces the customer to spend only within the range of RM20-RM30 in order for the coupon's advertised 30% off to be true. Past RM30 where the RM9 cap amount is hit, the coupon no longer provides 30% off.]] | ||
==Fraudulent products and advertising== | |||
*Fraudulent products are a problem known to exist on the platform. For example, an allegedly 2TB SD card selling at one-fifth what its price should be due to {{Wplink|Forgery|spoofed}} capacity. | |||
*Fake claims such as "magnetic" screen protectors for tablets that come with no magnetic properties and tear-off strips for adhesive.{{Citation needed}} | |||
==Deterring returns and exchanges== | |||
Shopee and its sellers operate under the very South East Asian "low trust" principle, which assumes the customer is ''always'' lying. The default way to handle returns and exchanges is to always ask for the original product back, which can be challenging for returning products that are low-priced but bulky (e.g., a clothes drying rack) and/or require assembly (e.g., cheap Chinese furniture that makes up the bulk of furniture across Shopee's regional websites).{{Citation needed}} | |||
== References == | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist}} | |||
[[Category: | [[Category:Shopee Pte.]] | ||