Shopee: Difference between revisions

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=== 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 off the bat.

[[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<ref>https://shopee.sg/%E3%80%90Same-Day-Delivery%E3%80%91Dell-UltraSharp-40-Curved-Thunderbolt%E2%84%A2-Hub-Monitor-U4025QW-i.231994510.7691275253</ref>. The Dell UltraSharp U4025QW was announced on January 3, 2024 and "available globally beginning February 27, 2024"<ref>https://www.dell.com/en-sg/blog/meet-the-new-five-star-certified-monitors-for-eye-comfort/</ref>.

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.<ref>https://shopee.sg/%E3%80%90Same-Day-Delivery%E3%80%91Dell-UltraSharp-40-Curved-Thunderbolt%E2%84%A2-Hub-Monitor-U4025QW-i.231994510.7691275253</ref> The Dell UltraSharp U4025QW was announced on January 3, 2024 and "available globally beginning February 27, 2024."<ref>https://www.dell.com/en-sg/blog/meet-the-new-five-star-certified-monitors-for-eye-comfort/</ref>

== Forced App Download Experience ==

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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.

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 ~~MUST~~ 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.

[[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.

[[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.]]

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 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.]]

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=== 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 2) but "Minimum spend RM20" (USD 4.50).

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=== False Low Pricing ===

Since one product listing can have multiple "variants", sellers often will list a refurbished and/or completely different product with a low price as a variant so that the lower price appears on the search.

Since one product listing can have multiple "variants," sellers often will list a refurbished and/or completely different product with a low price as a variant so that the lower price appears on the search.

== Fraudulent Products and/or Advertising ==

A lot of fake products (2TB SD cards selling at 1/5th what their price is supposed to be, ~~obviously~~ spoofed capacity ~~like those sold~~ on Amazon ~~too~~) and fake claims ("Magnetic" screen protectors for tablets which come with no magnetic properties and tear-off strips for adhesive)

A lot of fake products (2TB SD cards selling at 1/5th what their price is supposed to be, with spoofed capacity such as the ones found on Amazon as well) and fake claims ("Magnetic" screen protectors for tablets which come with no magnetic properties and tear-off strips for adhesive).

== Deterring Returns and Exchanges ==

@@ Line 51: / Line 51: @@
 === 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 off the bat.
-[[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<ref>https://shopee.sg/%E3%80%90Same-Day-Delivery%E3%80%91Dell-UltraSharp-40-Curved-Thunderbolt%E2%84%A2-Hub-Monitor-U4025QW-i.231994510.7691275253</ref>. The Dell UltraSharp U4025QW was announced on January 3, 2024 and "available globally beginning February 27, 2024"<ref>https://www.dell.com/en-sg/blog/meet-the-new-five-star-certified-monitors-for-eye-comfort/</ref>.
+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.<ref>https://shopee.sg/%E3%80%90Same-Day-Delivery%E3%80%91Dell-UltraSharp-40-Curved-Thunderbolt%E2%84%A2-Hub-Monitor-U4025QW-i.231994510.7691275253</ref> The Dell UltraSharp U4025QW was announced on January 3, 2024 and "available globally beginning February 27, 2024."<ref>https://www.dell.com/en-sg/blog/meet-the-new-five-star-certified-monitors-for-eye-comfort/</ref>
 == Forced App Download Experience ==
@@ Line 59: / Line 59: @@
 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.
-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 MUST 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.
-[[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.
+[[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.]]
-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 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.]]
@@ Line 70: / Line 66: @@
 === 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 2) but "Minimum spend RM20" (USD 4.50).
@@ Line 80: / Line 76: @@
 === False Low Pricing ===
-Since one product listing can have multiple "variants", sellers often will list a refurbished and/or completely different product with a low price as a variant so that the lower price appears on the search.
+Since one product listing can have multiple "variants," sellers often will list a refurbished and/or completely different product with a low price as a variant so that the lower price appears on the search.
 == Fraudulent Products and/or Advertising ==
-A lot of fake products (2TB SD cards selling at 1/5th what their price is supposed to be, obviously spoofed capacity like those sold on Amazon too) and fake claims ("Magnetic" screen protectors for tablets which come with no magnetic properties and tear-off strips for adhesive)
+A lot of fake products (2TB SD cards selling at 1/5th what their price is supposed to be, with spoofed capacity such as the ones found on Amazon as well) and fake claims ("Magnetic" screen protectors for tablets which come with no magnetic properties and tear-off strips for adhesive).
 == Deterring Returns and Exchanges ==