By Sam Hurst

A mouse-shaped lamp that illuminates your workspace. A pizza cutter fashioned like a battleaxe. A Snoop Dogg-themed flower pot for a touch of musical flair in your garden—the list of absurd items goes on.

More common items include cell phones, smart watches, funny t-shirts, laser pointers, and more. You may think that all these items must cost a fortune, but that is far from the truth. 

Enter Temu. The latest sensation in shopping is taking the world by storm. With its affordable prices, eye-catching products, and unconventional marketing approach, Temu has become a notable force in the world of online shopping. While millions of people have already experienced the app, it has raised many questions regarding the origin, competition, and value of its products. 

The app was launched in 2022 by PDD Holdings, an Irish company that manages e-commerce brands in China, with headquarters in the US. According to CNN, the app has gained significant popularity in the last year and became the most downloaded shopping app in 2022. Temu has expanded its reach beyond the US, attracting customers from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands, collectively fostering a user base of around half a billion people.

Since its release, Temu has consistently offered astonishingly low prices. The app provides deals on a wide range of products; banners on the Temu page advertise discounts of up to 90 percent, featuring items such as leather wallets and belts for under $5. Additionally, promotional banners highlight “holiday gifts” starting at just $0.05—a mere nickel.

Screenshot from temu.com of a Temu gallery.

The company’s motto, “Team Up, Price Down,” is the origin of the name Temu, and it has successfully lived up to this slogan. A majority of their products rarely surpass 50% of the price offered by competitors for similar items. Temu offers customers inexpensive items like a dress for under $10 or wireless earbuds for only $3. 

One distinctive strategy involves offering knockoff, or “dupe” versions of real brand-name products, particularly in the tech category. For instance, Stanley Insulated water bottles, priced at $45 on Amazon, have knockoff counterparts on Temu for only $13. Customer comments praise the knockoff products’ quality, insulation, and price. 

Temu’s marketing and engagement strategies for online shopping set it apart from competitors. The company uses spin-the-wheel games, where winners can receive discounts of up to 90%. Another distinctive approach is Temu’s incentive for users who encourage new members to join, offering discounts or even free goods.

The brand has garnered a substantial following through collaborations with TikTok influencers, who promote affiliate codes and showcase Temu products on their pages. In addition to influencer partnerships, Temu executes a large-scale advertising campaign, utilizing popular platforms like Facebook and Instagram. They even showed a notable ad in the Super Bowl in 2022, encouraging shoppers to “shop like a billionaire,” emphasizing their exceptional prices.

What’s the catch? Are these products of high quality? There are mixed opinions on Temu. Though there are many reviews that praise the products, there are many consumer complaints. As the app has grown, so has the amount of unreceived packages and customer service problems. Along with missed orders and problems with the products, many customers have also reported mysterious charges from Temu. 

On Trustpilot, a worldwide review website, Temu has an overall rating of 3.3/5. While not a terrible score, it reflects the increasing demand for improvements from the company. Numerous reviews on the site emphasize a common complaint about missing items and dissatisfaction with Temu’s customer service, which is reported to offer little to no assistance. For instance, a review on the Better Business Bureau from customer Vivek T. expresses distrust in Temu, stating that all four products he ordered “did not work as per the description.” There are many other angry reviews on the website displaying a similar sentiment. 

Despite encountering many negative comments online, my personal experience with Temu has been different. After seeing advertisements for Temu on TikTok and Instagram, mainly emphasizing the affordable prices, I decided to explore Temu myself. When I first visited the website, I spun a promotional wheel and received 50% off, along with free shipping, sparking my initial excitement. 

Eager to assess the value of such cheap items, I dived into various categories in search of fun gadgets and accessories. I ventured to the “best sellers” category and picked out a laser pointer ($5.35), a portable charger ($8.89), a poster ($2.39), and a pair of sunglasses ($2.79).

A screenshot from temu.com.

Though I anticipated the delay, the Temu shipping took longer than Amazon or eBay. The products arrived exactly two weeks later in a thick orange wrap, with layers of clear tape covering the exterior. After unwrapping, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the products. Contrary to my below-average expectations, the products proved to be well-made and fully functional. Everything worked well and seemed worth the price. 

My favorite item from my order is the portable charger, which not only charges my phone faster than my regular charger but also lasts almost a week. However, the glasses appeared noticeably cheaper and lacked the quality of those from a reputable brand—you get what you pay for. Despite this, my experience with Temu was generally positive; they demonstrated how affordable items can still offer satisfactory performance. 

Temu is another venue for affordable gift options. While there are many negative reviews, my positive experience may suggest that there are many gems to be found among their listings. Approach with an open mind, lower your expectations where needed, and you may discover budget-friendly items that exceed your expectations.