Last Updated on September 6, 2024
Shopping from the comfort of your home or office is one of life’s most thrilling experiences. But it only makes sense if you’re shopping from reputable companies and not those notorious for scamming their clients.
Since the advent of the internet, there has been an incredible surge in the number of e-commerce marketplaces. Most of these websites guarantee their users a seamless shopping experience. Unfortunately, not all of them deliver on their promises. Worse yet, some were set up for the sole purpose of defrauding unsuspecting users out of their hard-earned cash.
If you’re a regular online shopper, you must have heard or come across Wish, an e-commerce marketplace that connects thousands of sellers with potential buyers. Like most e-commerce platforms, Wish promises its customers hassle-free shopping experiences.
A decent number of Wish reviewers claim that the platform can make your online shopping wishes come true. But does the company really live up to all the hype?
Read on as we dive deep into the Wish marketplace. We’ll uncover how the website works and find out whether it’s legit or a scam.
What Is Wish?
Wish is an American e-commerce platform that acts as an intermediary between buyers and sellers. The company was founded on July 4, 2010, by Piotr Szulczewski and Sheng Zhang. It’s currently headquartered in San Francisco, California, but offers its online shopping services to clients spread across various countries worldwide.
Wish is owned by ContextLogic Inc. The platform operates as a dropshipping business. In other words, Wish doesn’t keep real stock inventory. Instead, it serves as a direct link between sellers and buyers.
Sellers list their products on the Wish website and then wait for willing buyers to come along. When a buyer decides on a product, they complete their purchase through one of the company’s affiliate payment service getaways. Wish is particularly famous for its diverse product listings and unbelievable discounts. Smartwatches on the platform can be priced as low as $10, with some items occasionally given free of charge.
But are these reasons enough to trust the Wish online marketplace? The following sections shed more insights into the company’s operations.
Company Summary
- Name: Wish
- Industry: E-Commerce
- Date Founded: July 4, 2010
- Founders: Piotr Szulczewski and Sheng Zhang
- Country of Origin: United States
- Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States
- Parent Company: ContextLogic Inc.
- Subsidiaries: Wish Outlet, Wish Express, and Wish Local for Partner Stores
- Availability: Worldwide
- Current Status: Active
- Official Website Link: https://www.wish.com/
Where Did Wish’s Story Begin?
Wish has a history spanning more than a decade. The company was founded as ContextLogic on July 4, 2010, with formal launching happening in May 2011.
One of Wish’s founders, Piotr Szulczewski, is a former engineer at Google. Szulczewski also serves as the company’s current chairman and chief executive officer (CEO). Through his stewardship, Wish has grown into the global e-commerce marketplace that we know today.
In 2017, the Wish app became America’s most-downloaded e-commerce application. Sustained marketing efforts saw Wish become the world’s most-downloaded e-commerce app in 2018. The app is accessible via different platforms, including desktop, Android, and iOS. Wish has also signed several lucrative partnership deals with established brands and campaigns over the years. Examples include the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers and the 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign.
How Does Wish Work?
Wish allows over one million merchants to list their products on its platform. Merchants can then avail their offerings directly to buyers, usually with minimal-to-zero involvement from the company.
The vast majority of Wish’s merchandise available to US buyers comes from China. The merchandise mainly involves smaller packages that are easier and cheaper to ship via the trade agreement between the U.S Postal Service and China Post.
Is Wish Available In My Country?
According to the Wish website, the company will no longer be available in 79 destinations effective March 1, 2022.
However, Wish merchants can still avail their goods to more than sixty countries and territories worldwide. The territories include all fifty states in the United States and special regions like American Samoa, French Guinea, Saint Martin, etc.
How Do I Get Started On Wish?
It’s possible to browse items on Wish without registering for an account. You can do that by following this link (https://www.wish.com/promo-code).
However, you’ll need to sign up for a Wish account to unlock the platform’s services. You can register for an account by heading to this link (https://www.wish.com/?hide_login_modal=true).
Input your first name, last name, and email address. Then, finish by creating a strong password and hit “Sign up.”
Note: There’s also the option of signing up using your Facebook, Google, or Apple account.
Next, you’ll be redirected to a page where you can give more details about yourself, including whether you’re shopping for men or women and your age. Specify these details and then click “Finish.”
Once you have an account, you can now engage on the Wish platform as a buyer or seller.
What Products Are Available On Wish?
There are thousands of products to buy and sell from the Wish marketplace. Examples include;
• Clothing, shoes, and fashion accessories
• Watches and jewelry
• Cellphone stands, cables, and chargers
• Flower vases
• Artificial/faux flowers
• Party and cake decorations
• Wall decals and hooks
• Furniture and homeware items
• Pantry organizers
• Patio lights
• Bags and wallets
• Kid stuff
How Do I Sell On Wish?
You’ll need to have a merchant account before selling on Wish.
Unlike the standard account registration procedure that generally requires your names, signing up as a Wish merchant will prompt you to enter your store name. Select a name that’s creative, original, and catchy yet still short and memorable enough.
Next, enter your email address and select the country your shop is located in. Click on “Create Button” then verify your email to confirm your account. Finish up the account sign-up process by adding additional store information.
Wish allows you to start selling immediately you’re done setting up an account on the platform.
To sell, proceed as follows;
i. Select the relevant product category.
ii. Upload your products.
iii. Enter your preferred payment information and choose a desired payment getaway.
iv. Accept terms and conditions.
v. Wait for Wish to approve your listing, after which it will go live.
NOTE: Listing on the Wish platform is completely free. You only pay for each sale made.
The company charges 15% of every sale, which is a percentage of the total order value, including the shipping costs.
How Do I Buy On Wish?
There are two primary steps to follow when buying items from the Wish marketplace – searching for products and placing an order.
To search for products on Wish;
i. Log in to your Wish buyer account from a desktop or using your mobile app.
ii. Tap on the search bar located at the top of the screen.
iii. Input the brand name and/or the name of the item you’re looking for.
iv. Once the item pops up, take some time to read its description and reviews on the product page.
Follow the below procedure to place your order on Wish;
i. Tap on the desired product.
ii. Select your desired color and size (if applicable).
iii. Tap “Buy” located at the bottom of the screen.
iv. Proceed to your cart.
v. Tap on “Ship” to review your shipping address and “Pay with” to double-check your payment method.
vi. Review the items in your cart.
vii. If you have a promo code that you’d like to use, enter the code to apply to your order.
viii. Swipe right and complete your payment at the bottom of the screen.
How Do I Pay For Items On Wish?
Wish supports numerous payment getaways, including;
• Credit and debit cards like Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, American Express, and Cirrus
• PayPal
• Google Pay
• Apple Pay
• Afterpay
• Ideal
• Klarna
• Pix
• Ebanx (Boleto, Credit Card, and Oxxo)
What’s Wish’s Shipping and Return Policy Like?
Wish packages can take anywhere from one to seven business days to get to your address. Sometimes longer depending on your location and other logistical challenges.
The company maintains a 30-day window during which you can make purchase returns and receive a refund. However, note that this policy only applies to some items.
The Bottom Line
So, is Wish a legitimate e-commerce website?
Wish is a legitimate online marketplace that links thousands of sellers and buyers drawn from numerous countries around the world. The website features hundreds of products from multiple categories, most of which are unbelievably affordable.
However, like any marketplace, it’s important to read seller reviews carefully before sourcing any products from Wish. While Wish doesn’t scam its clients, some of its sellers might.
