clothing retailercheap clothessizing issuesreturn problems

Light in the Box: Cheap but Risky

Updated: January 2026

Light in the Box is real (Chinese retailer like AliExpress) but extremely risky.

573 Reddit comments: Items look good in photos but cheap quality in person, sizing runs small (order 2-3 sizes larger), wrong colors delivered, return policy is deceptive (offers 30% store credit instead of refund, requires you to pay $50+ return shipping to China), long delays (26+ days despite expedited), items never arrive, reviews heavily fake. Works for curtains/non-clothing but avoid dresses and fitted items.

Key Findings

What It Is

Chinese online retailer (similar to AliExpress/TEMU) selling budget items

Main Risk

Major sizing discrepancies: Dresses/clothing runs 2-3 sizes small—reviewers say order 'far larger than normal'

Best Action

If you must order: Stick to home goods (curtains, storage) not clothing

The Pattern

→Chinese online retailer (similar to AliExpress/TEMU) selling budget items
→Products heavily photo-shopped in listings—colors and quality exaggerated
→Sizing runs 2-3 sizes small compared to normal sizing
→Return policy says 'returnable' but you pay $50+ return shipping to China
→Long shipping times 20+ days even with 'expedited' option

Red Flags

Warning: Major sizing discrepancies: Dresses/clothing runs 2-3 sizes small—reviewers say order 'far larger than normal'
Warning: Wrong colors: Items arrive completely different color than photos (plum arrives lilac, navy arrives black)
Warning: Deceptive return policy: Says 'returnable' but means you pay return shipping to China and only get 30% store credit back
Warning: Expensive return shipping: Must ship internationally to China ($50+ on $60-100 items, defeats refund purpose)
Warning: Fake reviews: Many reviews have poor grammar, mislabeled items ('love this bra' on dress photos), obviously auto-translated
Warning: Cheap materials: All items polyester, colors fade, seams fall apart
Warning: Slow shipping: 'Expedited' shipping takes 20+ days; standard takes month+
Warning: Cancelled orders: Orders cancelled without notice 8 days later with delayed payment notification
Warning: No customer service: No phone number, email support is non-responsive or slow
Warning: No refunds offered: Only store credit (which traps you buying more bad items)
Warning: Hidden fees: Surprise $50 shipping charges at checkout, not listed upfront

What To Do

1If you must order: Stick to home goods (curtains, storage) not clothing
2Expect sizing wrong: Order 2-3 sizes larger than normal
3Check reviews per item: Each dress/item has different quality—read specific item reviews
4Use credit card: Dispute charges if color/size completely wrong
5Skip returns: Don't even try to return—it costs more than the item
6Compare to Amazon: Same items often available on Amazon with free returns
7Set expectations low: Expect 50-70% of photo quality in reality

What NOT To Do

✕Don't order fitted clothing (dresses, shirts, pants)
✕Don't expect returns to work—return shipping to China costs more than the item
✕Don't count on customer service—no phone, emails ignored
✕Don't buy anything for upcoming events (too slow, high failure rate)
✕Don't trust the photos—assume colors and quality are 50% worse
✕Don't believe 'expedited shipping'—still takes 20+ days
✕Don't order if you need it in less than month

Copy-Paste Script

Light in the Box is a real Chinese retailer like AliExpress, but has major issues: sizing runs 2-3 small, colors are wrong, returns cost $50+ to China, quality is cheap. Works for curtains and non-clothing, but risky for dresses and fitted items.

FAQ

Is lightinthebox legit?

Yes, it's a real company (Chinese retailer like AliExpress), but it has major quality, sizing, and return policy issues.

What's the sizing at Light in the Box?

Sizing runs 2-3 sizes small. A normal size 10 dress would need size 16-18 from this company.

Can you return Light in the Box items?

Technically yes, but practically no. You pay $50+ to ship to China and only get 30% store credit back (no refund).

What quality should I expect from Light in the Box?

All polyester, cheap materials, colors wrong, sizing off, delivery delays common. Photos make items look 50-70% better than reality.

What do Redditors say about Light in the Box?

573 comments: Sizing wrong, colors wrong, return policy is a scam (30% credit only, $50+ shipping), delivery delays, fake reviews, poor quality. Works for curtains only.

Explore Related Topics

Learn more about similar scams and consumer protection strategies