Opinions Editor Jonathan Saucedo is a three-year member of the Wildcat Chronicle who frequently writes opinion pieces. The views expressed in this piece are his own.

Shopping recently has become increasingly more expensive, making deals or discounts feel like a lifesaver for many consumers. An item on Amazon might be priced at fifty bucks, but you could find the same item on social media platforms for around thirty bucks, which many consider a great bargain. However, just because an item is $20 cheaper, does that mean that purchasing from these popular social media platforms is truly trustworthy? Here’s what teens should know before deciding to buy items on these apps.

One of the most significant examples of social media platform markets today is TikTok, although it did not always have a marketplace. The TikTok Shop was launched in September 2023, allowing TikTokers to sell their products on one of the most popular apps in the world. In 2024, TikTok generated approximately $17.5 billion, a decrease from the impressive $20 billion earned in 2023. However, this figure is still remarkable for a social media platform. Given TikTok’s status as the most popular app globally, many users are now offered the opportunity to sell a wide range of products. This expansion may, however, lead to potential scams or issues with missing or damaged items during purchasing.

“TikTok’s marketplace has made it easier for vendors to sell products, but some sellers advertise items that are either fake or not as described. These vendors often disappear after making sales, leaving buyers with subpar products or nothing at all,” Christina POPOV, writer for BitDefender, said.

While the TikTok shop is monitored by workers using a fraud detection system that can ultimately revoke a user’s selling privileges, this issue can easily be sidestepped by simply creating a new account. TikTok does remove these accounts if they determine it’s the same individual who was banned previously, but the process isn’t as swift as one might expect. There are, however, ways to identify whether an account could be a scam or not. One effective method is to check below the product image, where a star and a statement indicating how many items have been sold should be displayed. By doing so, it is easy to avoid wasting your money; typically, a higher sales volume increases the likelihood that a product is true to what it says.

In a marketplace, another reliable way to determine the credibility of a seller is to examine their reviews. These reviews play a crucial role in determining whether a product is worth purchasing without encountering issues. However, it’s important to note that all marketplaces have their challenges, so it is advisable to consider both reviews and sales figures to ensure that whatever is being purchased comes from a trustworthy source.

Another method that wasn’t mentioned is what payment is the safest to use on Tiktok.

“Use TikTok Shop’s built-in payment system to ensure your transactions are secure and protected. If a seller urges you to pay them through Venmo, Cash App, or any other off-platform app, you should be cautious and only trust sellers who use TikTok Shop’s payment system,” Keeper Security writer Ashley D’Andrea said.

As a former TikTok shop buyer, I haven’t encountered any issues with my purchases. The two steps discussed earlier are indeed helpful in identifying reliable sources. All the cologne dupes purchased showed up in good shape surprisingly, and that’s all thanks to the reviews and sales. While some prices may be pretty low tempting consumers, it is important to consider that spending a few extra dollars for a product is a safer option than risking your money on something that may not meet your expectations.

All marketplaces have their fair share of challenges, so it is important to find ways to evaluate whether or not to make a purchase. Appearances can be misleading, and that’s something to remember. Ultimately, enjoy whatever was purchased on Tiktok, even if it does take a significant toll on your bank account (delivery fee).