Temu vs. Shein, Auto Complaints, Grocery Shopping Concerns, Failed Tax Refunds | March 2025
In this issue: UberEats delays, TurboTax troubles, Kia complaints, the growing rivalry between Shein and Temu, and more.
This newsletter edition highlights recent consumer issues with grocery deliveries, tax filing mishaps, the growing dissatisfaction with automotive reliability, and the emerging competition between fast-fashion giants Shein and Temu, reflecting shifting shopper priorities in the aftermath of traditional retail closures.
As always, if you're a journalist or media representative seeking further insights or detailed data to enrich your reports, please don't hesitate to reach out for assistance.
Fast Fashion Brands: Shein vs. Temu
We’ve seen a significant shift in how consumers prioritize the quality and value of products. With Forever 21's closing, more shoppers are seeking alternatives, including online fashion brands like Temu and Shein, which offer low prices, quick access, and agile supplies. To compete with these fast fashion platforms, some traditional retailers like H&M, Zara, and Mango are now accelerating their digital presence while attempting to improve in-store shopping.
What do consumers say?
Below are the latest issues reported with fashion brands:
Shein reviews
Many consumers express overall dissatisfaction with initial shopping experiences, particularly regarding delivery processes.
“I ordered glitter set of perfume refills which is 5 different colours. I received a set o5 all the same colour not happy…” (Review #6478400)
“I thought I can change from Temu to Shein because Temu doesn't ship door to door and it's hard for me to go to pick up point every weeks. But my first order is very negative experience…” (Review #6383211)
Temu reviews
Common issues experienced with Temu include incorrect or incomplete orders, sizing inaccuracies, damaged products, and unexpected or incorrect charges.
“I did not receive what I had ordered. This is the 3rd time I have ordered from Temu, and my order has been wrong all three times!..” (Review #6520113)
“How about a rod for a flag which was $18 and something and Temu charge me $78” (Review #6492883)
Issues with Taxes
The tax filing deadline is approaching, and many consumers are sharing frustrating experiences with TurboTax. Common complaints include refunds not being properly submitted to the IRS, unexpected or unauthorized charges, poor customer support, and concerns about compromised personal and financial information.
“I did not get my full refund. I went to many representatives; they didn't help me. My refund was never sent to the IRS, so that means something was wrong…” (Review #6521369)
“I am waiting on $753 to be put into my account. The IRS site says it was sent, but I never got it…” (Review #6515952)
“I feel robbed. My refund was supposed to have been received February 5th [...] TurboTax took my payment for the IRS out of my account. The IRS never received it [...] as soon as I filed with TurboTax, my bank account was compromised with fraud…” (Review #6472602)
Online Grocery: Issues and Trends
With online grocery shopping, most complaints shared on our review platform concern issues with delayed, missing, or incorrect orders. To note, our consumer trends report showed that food delivery has been at the top of trending complaints for the past 12 months.
In their reviews, consumers often raise concerns about perishables arriving spoiled, damaged packaging, including broken seals or punctured containers, expired, and improperly stored product items.
A few examples of the latest reviews about online grocery shopping:
“It is unacceptable to find a wire in your meal. After that, you are afraid of what you might find further in the meals…” (Review #6497801)
“...they gave me spoiled ice cream, and I am very upset because right when I got it, it was old, and I'm very disappointed...” (Review # 6504655)
“Recently, a friend sent us a fruit basket through a local Edible.com dealer in Woodbury, MN. Unfortunately, the fruits were spoiled and completely inedible…” (Review #6423110)
Auto Complaints
Consumer reviews reveal a troubling trend of unresolved issues with RVs and vehicles manufactured by such popular brands as Jeep, Dodge, and Kia Motors. Issues range from electrical malfunctions and persistent oil leaks to unexplained failures. Consumers often report that dealerships dismiss warranty coverage and deflect blame, raising serious questions about vehicles’ reliability and customer service.
Vehicle failures with Jeep and Dodge:
“...jeep was not repaired or even evaluated and pushed off jeep has 1600 miles and to make it worse I just spent 150k at this dealership…”
Read Jeep review #6493456.
“...i went to pick the car up I didn't make a quarter mile before i had to have it towed back to Southfork dodge they hadn't checked any fluid or levels after a 4 hour diagnosistic…”
Read Dodge review #6492994.
Kia Motors: Warranty claims
Many consumers complain about Kia Motors' auto parts, repairs, and warranty policies. One reviewer says Kia refused to replace a faulty and recalled fuel pump due to a lack of diagnostic error codes or indicator lights, despite multiple confirmations from service technicians of its malfunction.
“...Here you have a huge corporation, KIA Motors, notifying owners of a specific known warrantied part replacement, and two different KIA Service Technicians clearly stating that the vehicle has the issue but because of the lack of error codes, KIA determines it best to continue to operate the vehicle with the faulty part…”
Read Kia Motors review #6320096.
Interested in any particular consumer complaints? Feel free to reach out—I’d be happy to assist with further research and connect you with review authors to provide firsthand accounts.
Jonna Clark-Simpson is the head of consumer research and marketing at the PissedConsumer.com review and reputation management platform. She analyzes consumer experiences and keeps her eye on the latest consumer alerts. Joanna assists media representatives in their investigations for news stories and writes articles with helpful tips for consumers and companies. Connect with Joanna on LinkedIn.
