TikTok is a widely used social media platform that sucks its users in by endlessly swiping through short videos, shared with the world by content creators. These videos can range from sports videos to eating videos, and content covering almost any topic under the sun. TikTok uses an in depth algorithm to ensure that users are getting the targeted media that they have interacted with previously, to further implement the use of the app. TikTok utilizes many different tactics to draw people in like live streaming and their new TikTok shop feature.
This shop feature allows users to be exposed to an oasis of primarily cheap items, some of which are name brand. The reason that TikTok is able to distribute millions of products from clothing to random chachkies for such low prices is surely unknown, but the quality of the products can provide some insight.
The items that are listed on the shop page are generally made with cheaper materials or are products from companies that are not able to sell them in their primary stores or online shopping facilities. You can purchase from brands like The Ordinary, Revolve, and Pacsun, as well as a plethora of individually run small businesses.
I ordered the infamous Chamoy Pickle Kit, a large chamoy infused pickle paired with spicy chips and sweet candy to make a disgusting, yet intriguing concoction. After paying $12.72 for the pickle and supplies and a whopping $7.99 in shipping, the item didn’t seem to have initially gone through, as I got order confirmation a mere four days after making the purchase, followed by another five days of waiting for this captivating thing to show up at my doorstep.
The add-ins came in a very neat and confined package with the company logo thoughtfully displayed on the front of the bag. I was excited and anticipating the reveal of the add-ins, but then soon came to realize that the shop owner forgot my Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Luckily, my local Walgreens was able to provide them for me, setting me back another $2.75, but I was able to indulge in the full Chamoy Pickle Kit experience.
The assembly process was very messy and sticky, as I had to gut the inside of the pickle out in order to shove in the Cheetos and create the crunch effect, followed by wrapping the pickle in a Fruit by the Foot, and garnishing with regular chamoy, chamoy powder, and chamoy flavored gummy spaghetti. It was an eclectic palate, for sure.
Overall, the products themselves were good and seemingly unharmed in both the packaging and the physical product. But, when all put together, it felt as though I was biting into a layered combination of the overly sweet, skin like texture of the Fruit by the Foot, followed by a juice attack from the pickle, and finished off by the spice and crunch of the Cheetos stuffed in the center. Overall, I would say that the experience of assembling and indulging in this product was less than satisfactory.
Many of the items that can be purchased on the TikTok shop are available with a coupon to use, whether it was placed on for a random flash sale, or by the shop itself. TikTok implements these free coupons on almost every order, making the prices even cheaper than the originally reasonable cost.
The TikTok shop ultimately has adequate shipping and product quality for what is being paid for. I believe that if an individual is in need of a product, but does not necessarily have the funds for it or does not want to commit to purchasing a product, the TikTok shop is an excellent resource to make shopping much easier.
