Are Amazon Sellers Just Buying from Temu to Sell at a Markup?
I have a theory that Shopify sites and Amazon sellers buy goods cheaply from Temu, only to rebrand and resell them at a hefty market online.
I’m not against it. Retailers have to get their merchandise somewhere. And Temu is a popular M2C (Manufacturer to Consumer) marketplace where shoppers can shop millions of SKUs from thousands of manufacturers.
In fact, many online merchants and dropship sellers source their inventory from popular dropship sellers like AliExpress, Zendrop, and DHgate.
But since I can buy directly from Temu myself, I reasoned, why should I buy the same product re-sold at a price markup on Amazon? Why not just buy them directly from Temu myself? After all, it’s the same stuff, right?
So people of the internet, I put my theory to the test: I bought 10 items from Temu and 10 (seemingly) identical items from pricier counterparts like Wolf & Badger, Amazon, and City Bird Detroit.
Spoiler alert: Some of these are exact matches—down to the packaging. Others? Not so much.
Let’s break it down, product by product. See what I bought, how the items compared, and which Temu goods offer truly juicy savings.
1. ‘Good Day’ ceramic toast plate
This toast-shaped plate brings a cute, kitschy vibe to your breakfast table, whether you purchase from Temu or Amazon. That’s because they’re identical. Same weight, same dimensions, and they even stack perfectly. Temu’s plate showed up faster, too.
Now that I have two, I may put mounting brackets on the back and hang them on my office walls.
If you’re considering these plates, go ahead and save yourself a couple of bucks. Temu’s plate is the exact same one that you’ll find on Amazon.
2. Scallop-edged tea plates
Wolf & Badger wants you to think you’re buying something exclusive, but their ivory, scallop-edged tea plates are the exact same ones from Temu.
We’re talking same weight, same dishwasher-safe label, and same issues with quality—like the rough edges around the scallops. The only thing Wolf & Badger adds is a flimsy box, a smelly “free” bag with iron-on logo that looks ready to peel, and an invoice printed on cheap, xerox paper.
For the $183 Wolf & Badger wants, the craftsmanship should be perfect. It’s not. Temu’s $37.92 set wins this round.
3. Ceramic dinner bowls with Mediterranean-style print
These patterned dinner bowls are vibrant, sturdy, and nearly identical whether you buy them from Temu or Amazon. Both listings have the same colors, same patterns, and high-quality ceramic.
One small catch? Each set had one bowl with slight color inconsistencies, likely due to being from different production batches. Unless you’re planning to replace a broken bowl and need a perfect match, this shouldn’t matter much.
4. Retro fruit mug
This retro mug is adorable and has a cool 70s vibe. Both Temu and Cupperfield offer the same mug—same glaze, same weight, same everything.
The only difference? Packaging. Cupperfield’s version was wrapped in soft foam, while Temu’s styrofoam snowed beads all over my couch. Still, for a $17 savings, I’ll take the clean-up.
5. Ceramic sushi dinner plates in a bright, geometric pattern
These rectangular plates aren’t exact matches, but they’re close. Temu’s plates are shorter and flatter, while Amazon’s have a slightly taller lip. Both are glazed, sturdy, and great for sushi night.
Ultimately, it depends on what you want. I’d save the $10 and go with Temu’s wider plates that are just a touch shorter.
6. Playful toddler plate and utensils set
This was the most disappointing purchase on both sides. The sets from Temu and Amazon are identical—as in identically bad. They’re flimsy, cheap, and feel like something from a dollar store.
The Amazon seller charges $20 for these, which is a rip-off. Temu charges $8, which is still too much. I wouldn’t trust these to hold up in a dishwasher, let alone a microwave. And honestly, I wouldn’t donate them either—they’re just that bad. This might be a good sandbox toy?
7. Wicker placemats
These placemats were identical down to the smallest detail. Both Temu and Amazon delivered high-quality, natural wicker mats that were durable and well-crafted.
The only difference? Amazon’s came with a little business card for branding, and Temu’s didn’t. For half the price, I’ll happily go without the branding.
8. Decorative pitcher
This one is a bit of a mess. The acrylic pitcher I ordered from Amazon arrived just fine—thin, lightweight, and functional for small refrigerators. The Temu version? It never came.
Either Temu canceled the order due to lack of stock, or I messed up and didn’t actually order it. Either way, I can’t compare them side by side.
If you want a cute, lightweight pitcher and don’t mind spending a few extra dollars, the Amazon version is okay. But if you’re after savings, just double-check Temu’s availability before ordering.
9. Charcuterie board with cheese knives
This charcuterie board was a disappointment on both sides. While the sets from Temu and Amazon were identical in design—same branding, size, and configuration—the quality was rough, literally.
Both had splintery edges that felt unfinished, and the Amazon version even had a broken notch where the undertray slides in and out. Neither is worth the price when you could pick up a smooth, finished charcuterie board at TJ Maxx for less.
10. Retro ceramic orange juice vase
This is the one instance where the retailer version beats Temu in quality. The City Bird version, sold under the Ban.do brand, was heavier, thicker, and felt more durable. It also came in a high-quality gift box with beautiful branding.
Temu’s vase was lighter and thinner but still cute and functional. If you’re buying it as a quirky decoration, the Temu version gets the job done. But if you want something gift-worthy, splurge on the Ban.do option.
Final thoughts
So, is Temu selling the same stuff as other retailers? In most cases, yes. Many of the items I tested were identical in design, quality, and even packaging. The exceptions—like the orange juice vase—show that sometimes you do get what you pay for.
But here’s the kicker: For items that are the same, Temu consistently beats the competition on price. The scalloped edge plates, for example, were $145 cheaper on Temu, and they were exactly the same as the pricier version.
If you don’t mind sorting through Temu’s sometimes-questionable availability or inconsistent shipping, it’s worth trying for the savings. Just don’t expect perfection.
And if you’re on the fence, let this serve as a reminder: The higher price tag doesn’t always mean higher quality. Sometimes, you’re just paying for the branding.
