I’m a mom who’s shopped Temu.com and here’s my review.
2024 Temu review
Is Temu legit?
That question has been on the minds of many since watching the retailer’s Super Bowl commercial in 2023. The high-budget commercial introduced Temu to the public. With vibrant visuals, catchy music, and promises of being able to “shop like a billionaire,” it definitely made a splash.
The commercial sparked open, widespread fears that Temu was a fraud. As one mom told me, “I’m afraid I’ll give them my money and then they’ll never ship it.”
Already familiar with similar sites like AliExpress and Shein, I knew Temu was legit. I had already heard of the Temu website several months prior.
So I decided to shop Temu’s website to see what the experience was like. Since last March, I’ve shopped on Temu’s website several times and purchased a few dozen different items. I’ll let you know what to expect from the retailer in terms of quality, reliability, shipping speed, and overall customer experience.
I’ll also cover the ethics of shopping from Temu as it’s considered a “fast fashion” brand. (I’m wearing a slow-fashion blazer and secondhand pants as I type this; don’t come at me.)
Curious? Come take a look at what’s behind Temu’s glitzy commercials and ultra-cheap product line-up.
What is Temu?
Temu is an online marketplace that sells products across many different consumer categories, including fashion, beauty, electronics, home goods, and more.
Temu’s parent company, PDD Holdings, is a multinational e-commerce conglomerate.
Within the United States, Temu is under the ownership of Whaleco, Inc., a subsidiary of PDD Holdings that’s incorporated in Delaware and headquartered in Boston, Mass.
Temu offers low prices on thousands of consumer goods, catering to budget-conscious shoppers who crave deals, convenience, and an accessible price point for the latest home and fashion style trends.
What does Temu sell?
Temu’s product range is vast and covers categories similar to sites like Amazon and Shein. It offers a mix of clothing, accessories, home goods, beauty products, office supplies, and more.
Need a $2 pair of socks, office magnets, or washi tape for crafting?
Temu has it.
You could legit buy a lifetime supply of washi tape on Temu for $9.97.
Looking for home decor, toys for kids, or kitchen gadgets?
Temu has those, too. Like many online marketplaces, the quality can vary depending on the item and category, so it’s worth checking out reviews and descriptions to find items that meet your standards.
Temu is so cheap…
Temu’s prices are shockingly low, often undercutting budget stores and online competitors like Amazon, Walmart, or Target.
Case in point: I snagged a set of four ivory-scalloped plates on Temu for $37.92—while an upscale boutique was selling the exact set for $183. And yes, I ordered both to compare. Now I have eight pink-edged tea plates I don’t need (donation pile, here we come). Even better? Temu’s price has since dropped to $27.04, while the boutique price has gone down to $176.
And heading into the holidays, Temu is likely to get cheaper yet joining the Black Friday fray of deals.
>>> Curious about more comparisons? In a review coming later this month, I pit 10 identical home goods from Temu and name-brand retailers against each other.
The results may surprise you — subscribe to our email for updates!
But why?
That’s the billion-dollar question that crosses everyone’s mind when they see the ultra-low prices on Temu’s website.
There are many factors at play. Temu maintains that they keep prices down by “stripping out unnecessary costs,” and lower prices stem from:
- Connecting consumers directly to manufacturers, thereby cutting out the middlemen and their retail markups.
- Factory-to-consumer business model reduces the costs of transportation, warehousing, and other logistics.
Additionally, Temu items are unbranded. Retailers and resellers can buy heavily discounted products to brand and resell them on their own retail websites or in marketplace listings for any e-commerce site that supports affiliate and dropship sellers.
Also lowering the costs: the quality and longevity of Termu’s products. Temu is not the place to buy a cashmere sweater or heirloom-quality cufflinks. Many of the products are made using simple designs (for easier mass reproduction) and synthetic materials which further keep costs down.
Trending now: Is Daily Goodie Box legit? James ordered his box of freebies. See his honest review.
Yes, some Temu goods are low-quality
That’s certainly one reason why Temu’s prices are so low. And you can find knock-offs of other name-brand goods on Temu’s website.
However, quality ranges widely from product to product and is not the only reason for Temu’s huge discounts.
- Many items, like magnets, hair ties, fascinators, tights, socks, and party favors are the same quality or functionality as what you would find on Amazon or a Target — but for a fraction of the price.
- For apparel and home decor, the quality can range more widely. Some of the goods are similar in quality to Five Below or Dollar General, others are closer to Target, Wayfair, or IKEA.
The low prices, though, are not because Temu is a Chinese company. Many couture, designer, and high-end brands manufacture apparel, electronics, and home goods in China — including Apple, Kate Spade, Tory Burch, and one of my favorite brands: Boden.
In sum, China accounts for 32% of all global manufacturing, and exports goods to bargain-focused and luxury-minded customers alike. Within that 32% figure, Temu is a no-frills player that attracts customers who love bargains and the thrill of getting “free stuff.”
Is it safe to buy from Temu?
Yes, Temu is a legitimate company with over 735 app million downloads, eclipsing Amazon’s total number of downloads by more than 200%.
- On the App Store, Temu has a 4.7-star rating based on over 1.5 million user reviews.
- On Google Play, the app has a 4.6-star rating based on over 5.6 million reviews and more than half a billion (with a “b”) downloads.
By and large, Temu provides a safe shopping experience that uses advanced security tools — similar to Amazon and eBay — to keep your data safe and offers a flexible range of secure payment methods, including Stripe, Google Pay, and PayPal. As with any e-commerce site, privacy and security tools are continually updated.
With my Temu account, I’ve never had any safety concerns about my personal details. While there is a data privacy component, data collection is an issue with any retailer. If you’re concerned about your online safety using Temu, you may want to avoid shopping online altogether.
What about product quality and customer service?
Product quality can vary wildly. If, for example, you’re concerned about the materials used to manufacture baby toys, that might be a shopping category you skip.
I’ve purchased clothing for my kids on Temu and been satisfied with the quality. Temu’s website, as with Amazon’s, is vast in its range of products. Temu’s goods do tend to skew more low-budget, so quality is a top concern when I shop on Temu.
In terms of customer service, I’ve had zero issues. Other customers have stated that Temu will bend over backward to refund your money for your first purchase (you won’t even need to return the item), but for subsequent returns, you will need to print packing slips and bring the packaged item to a shipping facility.
Tips for using Temu Safely
If you want to safely shop at Temu and not be let down, here are some tips to consider.
- Read user reviews.
- Read reviews from users in your home country where you are more familiar with consumer expectations.
- Look for reviews with pictures.
- Look up close at Temu’s product pictures.
- Look for fabric material or garment composition.
- Expect wider stitches and thinner clothing for cotton or cotton-blend garments.
- Expect that dresses will be unlined, unless otherwise noted.
Also, be reasonable and use common sense.
- A little girl’s dress priced at $5.38 is probably going to look like a dollar-store dress. A little girl’s dress priced at $15.50 could be of very reasonable quality — and a good bargain if other retailers are selling something similar for $25-plus.
- If you wouldn’t buy it for $7, don’t buy it for $1.80.
- The pictures are gorgeous, but you’re not going to get bridesmaid-quality gowns.
- If you need it next week and the website says shipping will take 5 to 7 days, don’t buy it.
- Avoid large purchases. Don’t drop $200 the first time you shop there. Start small.
Temu is very transparent with customers about product materials and descriptions, photos, any shipping costs, and shipping timelines. If they say an item will arrive within 7-10 business days, I would trust that estimate. For any delays, they will communicate. For many goods, if the product arrives even one day late, Temu will offer you a $5 shop credit.
How many days does it take Temu to deliver?
Delivery times can take anywhere from 2 to 21 days. That’s been my experience.
For items already located in the U.S. (domestic fulfillment centers and warehouses), it may only take 2-3 days. I’ve had some Temu items arrive faster than Amazon orders.
For items not located in the U.S., it could take 10 days or longer. Give yourself a wide buffer window if you are ordering something you need for a specific date.
Is Temu like Amazon?
Temu is somewhat like Amazon in that it offers a huge range of products, but there are some key differences.
Amazon has a more standardized seller and product verification process, while Temu’s marketplace feels a bit more like a treasure hunt, with a mix of hidden gems and questionable (WTH) items. Temu also doesn’t have the same level of fulfillment infrastructure, so shipping speeds can be slower and less predictable.
Temu’s pricing model is also very different; while Amazon occasionally has deals, Temu’s entire platform is built around deals. Often, you can find accessories or home decor at a fraction of Amazon’s prices.
What I’ve purchased from Temu
Over the past year and a half, I’ve purchased items from Temu to examine the quality of products and customer service. If there’s a small, one-off item I want on Amazon (i.e., a satin fascinator for a tea party listed for $11.38), I know that Temu will have it for a fraction of the cost.
Here are some of the things I’ve bought:
- 200 hair ties for under $3
- Small office decor items (mini planters)
- Large, ceramic pop art planter
- Hanging disco ball planters
- Nightlight
- Wall art
- Thumb tacks and pushpins
- Decorative magnets
- Hanging shelf
- Hanging easel picture frames
- Socks
- Girls’ cardigan
- Spinning book rack
- Stickers
- Plates
- Charcuterie board
- Placemats
- Mugs
Bottom line
Temu is a legitimate shopping option for budget-conscious consumers. However, shopping here requires some caution. Read reviews, check delivery times, and keep expectations in check, especially for very low-cost items. Temu’s low prices make it easy to find a bargain, but not every product will be a winner.
If you’re looking for basics like hair ties, office supplies, or simple home decor, Temu can be a great resource. For larger, higher-quality investments, you may want to explore other retailers.
Ultimately, shopping on Temu is about balancing quality, cost, and personal priorities—whether that’s sustainability, practicality, or just getting a good deal.
And, if you’re curious about the quality of high-end versus low-end items, stay tuned for our upcoming article. I will be comparing Temu items with pricier alternatives from other retailers.
FAQs
What are the risks of Temu? Is Temu a scam?
Many consumers worry about Temu scams because the prices seem too good to be true. Temu is not a scam. It’s a legitimate e-commerce company that you can safely shop online, but there are some risks involved compared to going to your local supermarket or department store.
Cheaply priced items are often cheaply made. You need to read the product description thoroughly, including materials, size dimensions, and pictures.
Many of the cheaply priced goods are the same ones you’ll find at Walmart, Target, or Amazon for a mark-up. However, these retailers have done the work of visiting production sites and evaluating the product quality. When you buy directly from Temu, you are assuming that risk.
There is also a risk of data breaches, as with any online company. For this reason, I do not pay with my debit card anywhere online, Temu included. I do not want other businesses to have my bank account information.
Is it ethical to shop at Temu?
Ask me again in an hour. And then tomorrow and the week following, because my opinion keeps evolving.
Temu’s low prices often come with ethical considerations, particularly around fast fashion and sustainability. Like many budget-friendly brands, Temu’s products may not always be made with the highest labor or environmental standards, as its supply chain spans large networks with limited oversight.
If you’re concerned about ethical sourcing, it’s worth weighing these factors, especially when it comes to items you might not use regularly.
For me, I know 100% oversight is not possible and these issues are not unique to Temu or similar low-cost manufacturers. Sustainable purchasing is more within my control, and my goal is always for my kids to get at least 14 wears out of any garment I purchase for them as a bare minimum.
Active in the buy-sell-trade world of clothing, I know many parents buy their children clothing they only wear once, if at all. It’s possible to overbuy “eco-friendly” and used garments too. So whether or not Temu is ethical is a personal dilemma.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
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