Shein is one of the world’s biggest fast-fashion platforms, famous for cheap prices, trendy designs, and massive sales. But behind the glowing marketing, thousands of customers are experiencing a very different reality — especially when it comes to refunds.
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from missing payments to take “proof of Refunds,” many shoppers say they feel cheated or scammed. This article explains how these problems happen, why they feel like scams, and how customers can protect themselves.
1. The Biggest Complaint: Refunds Marked As ‘Processed’ But No Money Received
One of the most common issues customers face that sHEIN show the refunds as “successful” or “withdrawn” inside The app, but the money never reaches the customers bank.
For example, many users receive:
• a simple massage saying “withdrawal successful”
• an aRN (acquirer reference number)
• a basic screenshot labeled “proof of refund”
BUT WHEN CUSTOMERS CHECK THEIR BANK ACCOUNT… NOTHING IS THERE.
this creates frustration and confusion, and many feel as if sHEIN is simple closing the issues without actually sending the money.
2. Shein Gives Incomplete proof – Not Accepted by Banks
REAL REFUND PROOF MUST INCLUDE:
• settlement confirmation
• issuer bank details
• receiving bank details
• transaction time
• last 4 digits of the refunded card
• a proper financial trace documents
BUT INSTEAD, SHEIN USUALLY PROVIDES:
• a single screenshot
• a basic ARN
• a small message from customer service
bank cannot use this to trace the refund. As a result, customers are stuck in the middle — with SHEIN saying “refund sent”and the bank saying “refund not received.”
THIS IS WHERE MANY PEOPLE START FEELING LIKE IT’S A SCAM.
3. Customer Service Pushes Blame on the Bank
when customers ask fro real proof of refund, SHEIN support often says:
• “please check with your bank”
• “we have no way to send additional proof”.
• “the system shows refund completed.”
in many cases, support agents refuse to escalate the issue or send a proper trace document.
this lack of transparency makes customers believe they are being ignored intentionally.
4. ARN Number That Lead Nowhere
an ARN supposed to help banks located a transaction.
But with SHEIN refunds, many customers report that:
• the ARN shows no record
• the bank cannot find the payment
• the refund was never settled
• the money is stuck in the payment processor
SHEIN continues to say “refund sent.” But the bank shows no sign of it.
this gives the impression that SHEIN uses the ARN as a way to close the ticket quickly, without actually ensuring the money is delivered.
5. Delays Longer Than 10-30 Days
SHEIN USUALLY PROMISES:
“refund will arrive in 1 – 5 working days”
but many customers say they waited:
• 10 days
• 15 days
• 30 days
• some even longer
When customers ask again, the answer is always the same:
“please wait 1 to t working days”
These delays — without real financial proof — create huge trust issues.
6. Mixed Message From Different Agents
Another common problem is inconsistent replies.
Some SHEIN agents say;
• “it was refunded already”
• “check your bank”
• “we cannot send proof”
• “it is completed on our system”
OTHER SAY:
• “wait for 24 hours more”
• “we will escalate this issues”
• “please mark the ticket as solved”
this inconsistency make the customers feel like support is trained to delay, not to resolve.
7. Why Customers Call it Scam
Even if SHEIN may not intentionally scam people, the experience often feels like a scam because:
• refund is shown as complete, but money never comes.
• customers service refuses to send proper proof.
• app screenshot are not accepted by banks.
• support agents push customers away.
• cases stay open for weeks without real progress.
TO THE CUSTOMERS, ALL OF THIS FEELS LIKE BEING MISLED OR CHEATED.
8. How to Protect Yourself From Shein Refund Issues
if you’re struggling with a refund, here’s what you just do:
1. Ask SHEIN for a bank trace documents
≈ Not just a screenshot — ask for full trace details.
2. Contact your bank with the ARN number
≈ Banks can search for it in their system.
3. If bank doesn’t find the refund
TELL SHEIN:
“my bank cannot locate the refund with the ARN. Please escalate and provide a full financial trace.”
4. Use UAE consumer protection
≈ you can report the case at wWW.consumerrights.ae
5. Never close the ticket until the money arrives
≈ SHEIN may not reopen it later.
Final word’s
SHEIN is huge company, and while it delivers millions of orders worldwide, its refund process is often slow, confusing, and lacking proper transparency. Many customers feel scammed because the platform marks refund as “completed” while the money has not actually reached their bank accounts.
until Shein improves it’s financial communication and refund system, shoppers must stay alert, keep string records, and push for proper proof of refund whenever something goes wrong.
