Research on Dangers of Online Shopping Apps

Definition: Online shopping apps include platforms like Amazon, Yahoo! Shopping, Rakuten, and BUYMA.
Focus: The research concentrates on AliExpress, SHEIN, and TEMU, all originating from China.
Popularity: These apps are known for their low prices and are popular among young people worldwide.

Low Prices: Enabling the purchase of trendy fashion items affordably.
Wide Variety: Offering a diverse range of products beyond just clothing, appealing to all genders and ages.
Daily Updates: Regularly adding new products, creating excitement and a sense of discovery for users.

Founding: Founded in 2008 by Chris Xu.
Initial Struggles: Early ventures in wedding services were unsuccessful.
Shift to D2C: Transitioned to a Direct to Consumer (D2C) apparel business model via social media.
D2C Explanation: D2C (Direct to Consumer) involves selling products directly to customers through social media and owned e-commerce platforms, bypassing traditional retailers.
Rebranding: In 2015, SHEIN SIDE was rebranded to the current SHEIN, marking the start of its significant growth.
Popularity in Japan: Gained prominence in Japan around early 2020s.
US Ranking: Ranked third in downloads among shopping apps in the US between February and April 2021.

South Korean Investigation: On March 28, 2023, Seoul, South Korea, announced that products sold on these apps contained levels of carcinogenic substances exceeding safety standards.
Health Risks: These substances can be transported through the bloodstream, affecting various organs and potentially damaging DNA and cell functions.
Examples: Carcinogens were found in denim pant buttons and baby products.

Lung cancer
Stomach cancer
Liver cancer
Cervical cancer
Leukemia
Exposure Routes: Carcinogenic substances can enter the body through breathing, skin contact, or ingestion.

Discontinue using Chinese online shopping apps.
Focus on personal precautions rather than relying on government or corporate measures.
Thoroughly check product reviews and user photos, going beyond star ratings to assess user feedback on aspects like odors, color bleeding, or skin irritation.
Carefully review the materials and ingredients listed, avoiding products with formaldehyde, lead, or phthalates, which may indicate carcinogenic presence.
Assess products for strong chemical or plastic odors upon opening; ventilate, wash, or discard if odors are suspicious.

Shipping Issues: Tracking numbers provided without actual delivery of items.
Poor Communication: Lack of helpful responses from sellers regarding shipment issues.
Product Discrepancies: Receiving items that differ significantly from the product photos.
Quality Concerns: Low quality, size inaccuracies, and design flaws in received clothing.
Unsatisfactory Explanations: Excuses such as factory specification changes or lighting affecting appearance offered instead of refunds.

Unclear Responsibility: Ambiguity in responsibility among sellers, buyers, and delivery services, leading to unresolved issues.
Slow Responses: Delayed or avoided responses to inquiries, leading to customer frustration.
Insufficient Platform Oversight: Weak enforcement of buyer protection policies, allowing the sale of hazardous or counterfeit goods.

Legal Implications: Selling counterfeit goods constitutes fraud.
Consumer Harm: Economic damage to consumers who unknowingly purchase fake items.
Trademark Infringement: Violates trademark rights, harming brand reputation and potentially violating commercial law.
Example: Counterfeit Dr. Martens boots being sold.

Verify Product Information: Ensure brand names are present in product descriptions.
- Benefit: Helps identify suspiciously low prices or slight logo variations indicating counterfeit goods.
Purchase from Official Sources: Buy from official websites or stores to ensure authenticity.
- Benefit: Reduces the risk of quality issues such as strong odors or skin irritations.
Research Before Purchasing: Investigate policies and availability of Japanese language support for issue resolution.
- Benefit: Prepares buyers to handle issues effectively and retain evidence of purchases.

Recap of Issues: Recent online shopping apps have issues like fake products, carcinogenic materials, and poor customer service.
Recommended Actions: Buy from official sites, check reviews, use secure payment methods.
Emphasis on Awareness: Prioritize safety and informed choices over just low prices.