Taobao receives a 1.4/5 average rating primarily due to systematic failures in refund/return processes, widespread product misrepresentation, and unresponsive customer service that leaves customers unable to recover funds or resolve disputes.
What customers love
Common concerns
Customers mention
Frequently mentioned
Taobao is cheap and very convenient, but quality is just average. Fine for basic stuff, just don't expect too much.
Extremely terrible refund and return process to make you give up trying The refund and return process is so terrible and complicated so that consumers rather give up then fight to get their money back, that's how they function. For the same product, each size is regarded 1 order and to return every size. we have to pay shipping for each of all these different orders individually, and pack separately and have x number of people come pick up individually. I wouldn't even give a star. Customer service is a human reciting same script on repeat, no help at all. The worst part is the seller is very dishonest, plagiarizing images from another authentic store and sell them at their store, but when the items are received, it's totally different material. What a whole bunch of scammers! I requested for refund only, but after days of customer service intervention, they still insisted to return the items first then, only refund will be in. What a bunch of hooligans, I'm just burning my money and definitely will not be using Taobao anymore. At least the other shopping platforms are very considerate in resolving issues involving customer service, but DEFINITELY NOT TAOBAO. Also, avoid these scam stores, HNEN, NUTO, YEVO, POEA, followqueen, they send you a dupe item with terrible material.
I like how Taoboa has a wide range of all kinds of stuff that can come from across the world! I also love that it has stuff that other places don't, or stuff that isn't much popular but some people still like it. For example, last halloween, I wanted to be my favorite Chinese movie character, Ao Run, the dragon king from ne zha 2, and you know, not much people really think about it, so I had trouble finding it on websites all across the world! My eyes lit up when I found it on Taoboa, and multiple cosplay! I got to choose on my hearts desire! it arrived in perfect condition and I got multiple compliments on how beautiful I looked! From then, I used taoboa for multiple things that couldn't be found in many common places! The only con is that shipping is kinda long, but otherwise definitely recommend!
Actually I have spent thousands in singapore dollars through third parties and on the website itself. Do not buy furniture. Invariably there are missing pieces or the quality is really crap. They will then replace the parts (but of course you end up paying shipment again if using third party) and it frequently takes a few attempts before they get it right or you give up because of the waste of time and shipping charges. Ordering throughthe website itself is very hit and miss. On this occasion, I have had no less than 3 notifications that the items are being delivered so I waited at home on 3 occasions. No sign of said items. They are over a week later than the predicted date. When you enquire, they will say on the way. Tried to make a complaint, they basically say they are sympathetic but ask you to wait. In other words, zero action. Great to deal with AI... I said cancel all orders ( i have 4 separate orders following) . Their response? cannot refuse delivery. Must wait for deliveries then try to get refund. My advice? Forget about dealing with them. The overall savings is not enough to see a cardiologist when you have a heart attack from having to deal with them.
Bought a fridge freezer, tracking wasn't moving and getting nothing from the dishonest seller who eventually said the consolidation warehouse didn't accept it and it would be shipped and they started demanding money to pay for the return, eventually taobao gave me a refund but they never give a full refund, usually on small items it can be less than a $ but this time it was $9.27 short when I didn't want to return or refund, I will be closing my account
I am reporting a massive commercial fraud case on Taobao (Alibaba Group). I purchased a high-end 120-inch 8K OLED TV for $960.09. Instead, the merchant "Mi Xiao Ying Shi" (米小影官方旗舰店) intentionally shipped a cheap 85-inch 4K LED TV. This is not a mistake; it is a calculated scam involving falsified shipping documents. Key Evidence of Fraud: 1. Product Mismatch: I paid for 120" OLED, but received an 85" LED (35 inches smaller and inferior tech). 2. Document Falsification: The seller falsified logistics data to match the high-end specs while shipping a low-value item. 3. Platform Negligence: Taobao support is refusing to take immediate action despite undeniable photo evidence of the fake labels. I have already taken the following legal steps: - Filed a formal international fraud report at econsumer.gov (Case: 198451887). - Initiated a Chargeback through my bank in Georgia (Visa/Mastercard Dispute). - Notified the Hangzhou Mayor’s Hotline (12345) and legal departments in China. Alibaba/Taobao: Resolve this fraud and issue a full refund immediately. I will not stop until this case is settled and the fraudulent merchant is blacklisted.
It’s very easy and convenient way to buy everything you need and many items are being delivered the same day
As you can see from the reviews, the people at Taobao are seemingly purposefully making their service as shitty as possible. Now I face a problem where I can't even login to my profile. don't bother making an account as the people behind this service are too incompetent to even make the simplest of functions work.
If you are not located in China and something wrong goes with your purchase you will never see your money back or get a refund
It seems a regular occurrence. Sending inferior products to what is shown and on complaint only refunding approximately 50% of the total paid out. No refund of incoming freight or return freight. Cannot be trusted
This website is difficult to use, with excessive security checks and payment issues.
I had issues logging in. Was advised Customer Service will call. What they did was just one ring and hung up. This is to record that they called but failed to proceed to entertain my issues. Then they emailed mentioning they tried to call but unsuccessful and therefore case is closed. This is truly unprofessional of Customer Service.
It’s the worst shopping experience. They have sent fake items and size doesn’t match when I try to return the shipping fees costs more than the goods I ordered and the team from taobao doesn’t cooperate. No refund no respond. Worse shopping experience
Deliver wrote will receive item from yesterday and today still not received
My package till now haven’t received. The driver doesn’t want to deliver.already two times the driver declined to deliver the package.
Based on 40 verified customer reviews, Taobao holds an average rating of 1.4 out of 5 — rated Bad on ReviewTerminal. 5% of customers gave 4 or 5 stars.