Last week I created a video about Temu; I talked about how the app is redefining Nigerians shopping habits and how it surpass OPay to become the most downloaded app in Nigeria. If you wish to know more about that, watch the YouTube video below and don’t forget to subscribe to my channel.
If you don’t know Temu, you probably have come across its ads on Facebook, YouTube, TikTok or Instagram. The Temu ads sticks out to people’s face everywhere they explore online. So, you probably have seen it before unless you’re not a social person.
Temu is a chinese-owned, Boston-based e-commerce platform that sells a wide range of products at low prices. Currently offering $0 shopping to new customers in the United Stated and offering 40% discounts to new users in Nigeria when they purchase products up to N50,000.
Temu App is not only available in the United States and Nigeria, the e-commerce website operates in many countries around the world including Canada, Europe, Australia, Philippines, S.Korea, Japan and many more.
In October 2024, Indonesia government banned Temu and ordered Google and Apple to remove the e-commerce app on their App Store. The country said its takedown Temu to protect local businesses.
Well, that’s not where we are actually drive at in this article. I just have to mention that to let you know how widespread Temu has become. In this article, I’m going to show you how to shop on Temu and avoid starring in your own “what I ordered vs what I got” drama.
Hacks to shop on Temu
First of all, you need to know that products description are usually correct but they’re not suggestions. They are actually “fact” and If a “luxurious outdoor ticking chair set” priced at just N6,000 sounds too good to be true, that’s because it probably is.
Products dimensional size is another factor to consider when shopping on Temu. The luxurious design and size you see in the products picture can be misleading.
Sometimes, that 3.5cm you see is not a typo; it’s an example of something being ridiculously small. So, carefully check dimensions and details rather than relying solely on appealing photos.
Products reviews by other users is also an essential hack to shopping on Temu app. Temu shoppers love to share their discoveries (and disasters). If you check social media, you will notice when I’m talking about. Especially, vloggers showing off their $0 packages which they received from Temu on TikTok.
In essence, reviews with pictures can be a lifesaver. If buyers are posing with a “giant Christmas tree” that turns out to be the size of a broccoli stem, take the hint. Reviews show the reality behind the product, so check them before hitting “Buy Now.”
Shopping on Temu in 2024 is an adventure in managing expectations and budgets. While the platform offers incredibly cheap items, cheap doesn’t always mean cheerful. Paying N500 for a “vintage lamp” might get you charm, not functionality, and that “massive festive wreath” could show up looking more like a keychain.
Instead of despairing, embrace the humor—adorn your pet with it or gift it to someone with a good laugh. The key to success is simple: read reviews, scrutinize details, and approach each bargain with a pinch of skepticism. In the end, the joy of festive shopping isn’t in perfection but in the unexpected smiles along the way.
Temu FAQs
Is Temu Legit and Safe?
Yes, Temu is legit, safe and scam-free. Many shoppers have reviewed their delivered items on several social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. Infact, the $0 deal, coupons and 40% discounts are real. Furthermore, the e-commerce website is boston based and chinese owned company of PPH Hodlings.
Why is Temu so Cheap?
Temu is so cheap because it connects consumers/shoppers/buyers directly with the factories that produce its goods, many of which are in China, allowing it to cut out "multiple middlemen" and deliver "wholesale" prices to shoppers.
Who Owns Temu?
Temu is owned by PDD Holdings, the parent company behind the Chinese eCommerce giant Pinduoduo. Launched in 2022 by former Google employee Colin Huang, PDD Holdings gained its reputation by offering affordable products shipped directly from suppliers.
Does Temu use Child Labor?
According to BBC, US lawmakers are warning of an "extremely high risk" that products sold on the Chinese online shopping site Temu have been made with forced labour. Although, this is an alligations; it's not been confirmed to be true.
