A Cardiff-based TikToker has expressed shock after discovering a Shein hygiene sticker in the packaging of three bikinis she bought from Motel Rocks for £150. The user, known as niamhelonidoyle, shared a video showing the label, prompting viewers to urge others to reverse image search clothing before purchasing to avoid paying inflated prices for items available from cheaper brands.
Motel Rocks, a popular online retailer targeting Gen Z, has faced previous complaints about quality not matching price. On its website, bikini tops average £28 and bottoms £26, making a set £53, compared to Shein bikinis which cost around £5 per top. Motel Rocks attributed the incident to a 'mistake in the warehouse', but some shoppers have accused other brands of buying wholesale from Shein and reselling at higher prices.
The discovery has sparked debate about fast fashion and pricing. A TikTok creator responded to the video, stating that many brands buy wholesale from Shein and sell items as their own. While Shein is often used for cheaper dupes, it has faced criticism over low wages and child labour, yet its profits rose 43% to $32.5 billion in 2023.
Viewers advised using reverse image searches to compare prices across websites. One commenter wrote: 'This is why you ALWAYS Google Image search and compare prices.' Another said: 'Top tip, screenshot the photo and always reverse image search it on Shein. You'll be shocked.'
