TikTok Shop Prices: Why You Should Always Check Before You Buy
This post may contain Affiliate Links
How a 30-second Google search saved me almost £6 on Something I was buying for my kids for Christmas.
When it comes to Christmas shopping, I’m one of those annoying people who shops throughout the year. I have a Christmas sinking fund that I pay into each month, so there is always money at my disposal if I spot a bargain.
Now, I know some people prefer to wait until nearer Christmas because kids’ interests can change. But my kids both love crafting, and I know that’s not going to change any time soon.
So when I spotted the Crayola Spin Art Sticker Maker Machine, it seemed like the perfect idea for both my kids.
It’s easy enough for my three-year-old to use (who, obviously, wants to do everything his sister does), but I also thought it would be a hit with my eight-year-old.
As someone who likes to buy secondhand where I can, I do try to make considered purchases when buying new.
However, this is harder with craft items where the contents have often been used. It’s different to buying a toy car or action figure secondhand, for example.
I Nearly Bought It on TikTok Shop
On TikTok Shop, it was £9.49. I wanted one each, so just under £19 in total. I had the money ready and waiting. Another present in the bag, I thought.
And I so nearly bought it there and then.
It was easy. It was convenient. I’d seen it while scrolling, liked the look of it and had already decided it would make a good Christmas present. Sent it to my husband to see what he thought too.
But then the money-saver in me kicked in.
I’ll just double-check that’s a good price.
Within seconds, I’d found the exact same toy from the same toy shop on eBay (new, not second hand) for £3 less per item, plus there was a discount for buying two.
So the almost £20 I’d been about to spend was now £13.28 saving £5.70
And both options had free delivery.
Then I found it on Amazon for around £7.50 too.
If you have Amazon vouchers that you’ve earned through things like online surveys, cashback or other money-making activities, that could make it an even cheaper option – I know many people save Amazon vouchers throughout the year to use on Christmas gifts.
Why Is TikTok More Expensive?
I’m not sure exactly why the TikTok Shop price was higher. Perhaps it’s simply because people are willing to pay it for the convenience, or perhaps there are different costs involved in selling through the platform or promoting products there. I don’t sell on TikTok Shop, so I don’t know exactly how the pricing works.
But ultimately, I don’t really need to know why.
I just need to know that I could get the same product elsewhere for less.
Is £5.70 Worth Saving?
Some of you might be thinking that £5.70 isn’t a huge saving.
But in the current financial climate, I think it is, particularly when you look at it in relation to the price of the gift.
I was saving around 30% simply by spending a few seconds checking the price.
For me, that money could pay for a couple of stocking fillers or go towards another gift for one of my kids.
And imagine if you found a saving like that on every Christmas present you bought this year.
You could very quickly turn a few minutes of price checking into a decent amount of money saved.
I completely understand not wanting to sign up to a website you’ve never heard of just to save a couple of pounds.
If you’re worried about whether a retailer is legitimate or whether your order will actually arrive, paying an extra £1 or £2 for the peace of mind can absolutely be worth it.
But in this case, I wasn’t comparing TikTok Shop with some random website I’d never heard of. The alternatives were eBay and Amazon, sites that I imagine most people already use and may already have an account with.
For me, there was very little extra effort involved in buying elsewhere, so saving £5.70 seemed like a total no-brainer.
There Are Other Benefits to Shopping Around
Moving away from TikTok Shop for your purchases can have other benefits too.
For example, with eBay I can earn Nectar points.
If you find something cheaper elsewhere, you might also be able to use cashback, a discount code or loyalty points to reduce the price further.
It’s also worth looking beyond the price you see on the screen.
A slightly more expensive option could actually work out cheaper if you can use cashback, loyalty points or a discount code.
In contrast, a seemingly cheaper option could have higher delivery costs.
I’m Not Saying Don’t Buy From TikTok Shop
Now, I’m not saying you should never buy from TikTok Shop again.
There are definitely genuine bargains to be had, and if you’ve checked the price elsewhere and TikTok Shop is the best option, then go for it.
I just think it’s worth double-checking before you commit to a purchase.
TikTok and other social media platforms are designed to encourage us to keep scrolling and, ultimately, to take action.
We can see products presented as limited-time offers or with messages suggesting stock is running low, which can make us feel like we need to buy now rather than take the time to think about it.
There’s also the relationship we build with creators we follow. When someone we like and trust recommends a product, we’re naturally more inclined to believe that it’s worth buying.
It’s very easy to think, “Oh, they recommend it, it must be good,” rather than stopping to ask ourselves whether it’s actually a good price.
And that’s where my 30-second Google search came in.
How to Make Sure You’re Getting the Best Price
You don’t need to spend hours hunting down the lowest possible price every time you buy something. But before making a bigger purchase, particularly at Christmas, a quick check can be worthwhile.
Do a quick Google search
Search for the exact product name and see if it’s available cheaper elsewhere. If there’s a model number, include that too so you’re comparing the same product.
Check the full cost
Don’t just compare the headline price. Look at postage costs and return costs too, particularly if you’re buying from somewhere you haven’t used before.
Look for other ways to save
If you’ve found the lowest price, check whether you can also use cashback, loyalty points, discount codes or vouchers.
For example, my Amazon purchase could potentially be reduced further if I used Amazon vouchers I’d earned online or bought an Amazon voucher which I earned cashback on.
And if TikTok Shop is still cheapest?
Go for it!
There’s nothing wrong with buying from TikTok Shop if you’ve checked and you’re happy that you’re getting a good deal.
The point isn’t to avoid one particular retailer or platform.
It’s simply to avoid assuming that the first price you see is the best price.
Always Shop Around
Finally, I wanted to share a couple of other examples I’ve found where it really does pay to shop around.
Example one comes from my post about Black Friday Price Hikes.
Asda lists the RRP for this Barbie Dream Plane as £105 and is offering £35 off, bringing it down to £70, which sounds like a pretty good deal.
But the same plane is £59.99 at Very, with a £20-off offer bringing it down to just £39.99.
That’s a £30 saving simply by shopping around. You could even find it second-hand on eBay for around £25.
Example two: Rubble & Crew Barkyard Crane Tower
This Rubble & Crew Barkyard Tower was bought for my son for his third birthday, and it’s another great example of why it pays to shop around.
It does now seem to be out of stock in most places, and the Argos price was a sale price, but look at the difference:
- John Lewis: £79.99
- The Entertainer: £40
- Argos: £25
That’s a £55 difference between the most and least expensive prices for the same toy.
Always shop around if you can, and hopefully you’ll soon start to see the savings add up!
Looking for more ways to cut costs? Take a look at my Money Saving Hub where I’ve brought together all of my best tips, tricks and guides to help you spend less and save more.
