Should you Trust and Shop on DHGate? Here’s why I’m Hesitant
So, I’ve been aware of DHGate for a couple of years now, just lingering in the background of my online shopping radar. My initial thoughts were always “Is DHGate legit?”. It wasn’t until recently that I thought, “Why not give it a shot?”
The appeal of snagging some killer deals and unique finds finally got the better of me. But in all honesty, the whole DHGate experience left me with some mixed feelings. Let me break down why I’m a bit on the hesitant side when it comes to trusting and shopping on this platform.
The Good Stuff
Let’s start on a positive note – DHGate does offer a plethora of products at prices that can make any frugal shopper do a double-take. From electronics to fashion, and even home goods, the variety is staggering. The platform essentially connects buyers with sellers directly, cutting out the middleman and theoretically passing on the savings to you.
If you’re not too concerned about quality and if designer inspired are not a complete match, DHGate could be a great outlet for you to shop on. And if you’re willing to wait a few weeks for your items to arrive then all the more better!
And now the Bad Stuff
Quality Quandaries
Now, here’s where my hesitation begins. While the deals may seem too good to pass up, the quality of the products can be hit or miss. Since DHGate hosts a multitude of sellers, the consistency in product quality is not guaranteed. Reviews on the platform can be a mixed bag, making it challenging to assess the trustworthiness of a particular seller.
If you’re thinking of taking the plunge and making a purchase on DHGate, make sure to read my post on how to shop smartly and find the right seller, before you hit that PAY button!
You’ll really want to vet the sellers out. Be sure to ask a lot of questions and check their reviews. Also, watch out for how long the company has been in business and how many sales they have made. This is crucial because a lot of sales with a high review and being in business for over a year puts them in a great position. They’re likely more trustworthy.
The key for me personally is their response time (if any). I’m a big advocate for asking any questions to the seller, especially for more pictures, before deciding to purchase from them. Ask for pictures of the exact item they would be shipping out along with any detailed pictures you want to see of the product.
A couple of questions to consider asking:
- Do you have more photos of this product?
- Does this come in other colors?
- Do you have more photos of the logo [on the shoe sole? / on the inside bag flap? / etc ]
- Does this come with the original gift box, gift bag, dust bag and papers?
Depending on whether they respond or how quickly and how informative they are in their responses, will give you an idea of how they do business. My recommendation is to not purchase from a seller that does not respond to you.
The Great Wall of Shipping
One major red flag for me is the often lengthy shipping times associated with DHGate. Some buyers report waiting weeks, if not months, for their orders to arrive. If you’re in a hurry or need a product by a specific date, DHGate might not be your best bet. Patience is undoubtedly a virtue when dealing with this platform.
Also, a lot of times your packages can be held in customs and be “returned” according to some tracking updates. This usually means that the package has been returned to customs so that it can be reprocessed. Sometimes this process can occur more than once for a package so be sure that if you’re purchasing something that it may take longer than the usual 2-3 week delivery.
In addition to delayed packages, there’s also the rare chance that your package can be seized by customs. Unfortunately if this happens, you won’t be receiving your order. You can either ask the seller to re-send it, or ask your seller for a refund and repurchase. While I do encourage you to ask for a refund, the seller can make it a painful process for you to get a refund. Your best bet here is to be on their case and even open up a dispute as soon as you can.
DO NOT CLOSE YOUR DISPUTE IF THE SELLER PROMISES TO RESEND YOUR PACKAGE IF YOU CLOSE THE DISPUTE FOR THEM. If you do this, chances are the seller will not re-send a new order and unfortunately, you will not be able to open a dispute again with that seller.
Payment Predicaments
Another cause for concern is the payment process. While DHGate does offer various payment options, including credit cards and PayPal, there have been instances of disputes and difficulties in obtaining refunds. The lack of a standardized and reliable resolution process raises questions about the overall trustworthiness of the platform.
As I mentioned earlier, if your order is delayed, never shipped, or seized by customs, please open a dispute as soon as you can with the seller. If you are unable to through the platform, make sure to reach out to their 24/7 customer service and allow an agent to open one for you. Agents have the ability to open a dispute with additional parameters that you may not have access to.
The Battle of Counterfeits
DHGate has gained notoriety for being a hub of counterfeit products. While some sellers may offer genuine items, it’s essential to tread carefully and thoroughly research before making a purchase. The allure of discounted designer goods may be tempting, but the risk of receiving a knock-off is a real and prevalent concern.
Be sure to read my post on how to shop smartly and find the right seller, if you want to find the highest and best quality designer inspired items on DHGate!
DHGate is notorious for bait and switch so be careful when shopping on this platform. If an item is priced at too good to be true – trust me – it more than likely is. Look for reasonably priced designer inspired items. Bags, depending on the designer, should be priced anywhere from $200 – $500 for a top quality or even mirror quality designer item. For mirror quality, well known designer items, you’re looking at spending $800 and up because these items are made from scratch and made to mimic the real thing.
Customer Service Conundrum
Last but not least, customer service on DHGate has left many customers frustrated. Reports of slow response times and inadequate assistance in resolving issues make relying on customer support a gamble. It’s crucial to be aware that if something goes wrong, getting a timely and satisfactory resolution may be an uphill battle.
This is probably my biggest gripe with DHGate. Their customer service is usually pretty responsive when it comes to opening up disputes and answering any questions. However, when you do have a dispute open, it takes forever to get the case resolved. Make sure to be on top of this everyday and do not give up! It takes a ridiculously long time to resolve a dispute in your favor. Oftentimes they’ll tempt you with half or less than half of your money returned or they’ll give you credit towards another DHGate purchase. DO NOT FALL FOR THIS! Why should you? If you’ve been frauded, stand your ground and ask for the refund you deserve. And never close a dispute if the seller asks you to. Always respond within the dispute chat section with any evidence.
And while I do not encourage this, a last (absolutely very last resort) should be that you reach out to your credit card company and file a chargeback complaint if DHGate is unwilling to work with you.
Conclusion: Proceed with Caution
In conclusion, while DHGate may offer tempting deals and a vast selection of products, it’s essential to approach with caution. The risks involved, including inconsistent product quality, lengthy shipping times, potential payment problems, the prevalence of counterfeits, and unreliable customer service, make it a less-than-ideal choice for many shoppers.
Before taking the plunge and making a purchase, do your due diligence. Research sellers thoroughly, read reviews meticulously, and weigh the potential risks against the rewards. While DHGate may be a treasure trove for some, it’s crucial to approach it with open eyes and a healthy dose of skepticism. Happy shopping, but proceed with caution!
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