I made my first TikTok shop purchase last year. It was a gift for my husband for Father’s Day. This little fan clips onto his jeans to keep him cool while he is working outside in the summer.
I was learning about TikTok Shop and what it means last year. Now I’m in love. As a TikTok shop affiliate and shopper, I want to share everything you need to know to score great deals on the platform.
If you’re a long-time follower, I’ll still add BJ’s deals here and there, but I’ll also mix in my favorite finds from TikTok. If you’re new follow me on my SavingswithTasia and The Frugal Farm Girl ( more deals and homesteading)
As someone who’s always on the hunt for budget-friendly finds (and loves a good deal), I’ve spent time exploring the ins and outs of TikTok Shop. And today, I’m breaking it all down so first-time shoppers like you can feel confident—and save money—while shopping TikTok-style.
Want $8 off your first TikTok purchase? Download TikTok today using my referral link and enjoy an instant discount!
What is TikTok Shop?
TikTok Shop is TikTok’s built-in marketplace. That means you can watch a video about a product and buy it directly within the app—without needing to go to a separate website. It’s a fun, fast, and sometimes addictive way to shop.
But like with anything new, there are a few tricks to help you avoid impulse buys and make sure you’re actually getting a good deal.
Step 1: Open TikTok
First off, you’ve got to be logged into TikTok. Don’t have the app yet? Go download it from your app store, sign up, and promise yourself you won’t be scrolling until 2 a.m. this time.
Once you’re in, TikTok Shop will appear in some videos or on the main menu (it looks like a little shopping bag icon). If you’re scrolling through and see a product video that catches your eye, don’t worry about hunting for the link. TikTok is sneaky-smart. The shop link will literally show up on the video.
Step 2: Find Something You Love
Now comes the dangerous-yet-fun part. You’ll notice a swipeable carousel of products in some videos with things like skincare, gadgets, snacks, or one of those viral broom mops that everyone swears will fix your life. If something looks good, tap on it.
Pro tip: Read the reviews, scroll through pictures other buyers post, and don’t just buy it because someone says it’s life-changing. (Although… if it’s a cool gadget and discounted, it might actually be worth it. Trust your gut.)
Step 3: Add to Cart
Once you’ve clicked on the product, you’ll see more details like price, stock availability, and shipping time. If you’re sold on it, go ahead and hit that “Add to Cart” button. TikTok will ask you to choose things like color, size, or quantity (if applicable). Totally normal.
If you’re not sure yet, don’t stress; you can leave it in your cart. Funny enough, TikTok is like that friend who texts, “Hey! You forgot this in your cart!” You’ll definitely get reminders later.
Step 4: Check Out
When you’re ready to check out, tap your cart icon (you’ll usually find it in the top-right corner). Look at everything you’ve added. If it feels like too much, no judgment—I’ve been there. Once you’ve edited or confirmed your picks, click the checkout button.
You’ll need to pop in some important stuff at this point, like your shipping address and payment info. TikTok lets you choose from usual payment methods like credit cards, debit cards, and sometimes even PayPal. It’s all pretty standard.
Step 5: Payment & Shipping Details
Before you hit that “Place Order” button, pause for two seconds. Make sure the shipping address is correct. Trust me, accidentally using your old address from six years ago is a headache you don’t wanna deal with.
Pro tip for the budget-savvy (which, if you’re like me, is very much a vibe): TikTok sometimes offers coupons or discounts right at checkout. Look out for little promo codes; they’re basically free money.
Step 6: Sit Back and Wait
After you place your order, TikTok will send you an order confirmation. You might also get tracking info depending on the seller. Some shipping takes a few days, some might take longer if it’s coming from a different country. Either way, this is your chance to practice patience.
Purchasing from a Video
If you’re scrolling through your FYP (For You Page) and see something with an orange cart, you can click it ( where the orange cart and SHOP are), and it will take you to the item featured in the video. You can easily add it to your cart and then keep on scrolling.
Often, you can find items with free shipping, or you need to spend a certain amount to get free shipping. This is obvious at checkout. I’ve shown a couple of examples below.
If you have the TikTok app, you can watch my video below right in TikTok.
What If Something Goes Wrong?
Okay, so maybe something didn’t arrive, or it was nothing like the video (ugh, been there). TikTok Shop usually has a return or dispute policy. Head to your orders under your profile, click on the item, and follow the return instructions. It’s not any different than returning an item on Amazon. It’s super easy, and sometimes I find it easier to navigate than Amazon.
Pro tip here? Always save the packaging while you’re deciding if you love it or not. Makes returning easier.
Final Thoughts
Buying from TikTok Shop is honestly pretty seamless once you get the hang of it. It feels a little like online shopping mixed with window shopping, but way more entertaining. Plus, you might just discover cool things you didn’t know existed (hello, pancake squishies).
The best part is that you can see so many items being used. The accessibility for items and then shopping all in one spot is amazing.
Last thing? Don’t overthink it. Start small, experiment with one or two things, and before you know it, you’ll be a pro at snagging those TikTok treasures. Good luck, and may the algorithm bring you only the good stuff!
If you have any questions at all let me know!
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