By Toby Hall on November 6, 2022
About Temu
Launched for the first time in the US in September 2022, Temu’s mission is to empower you to fulfill your dreams and enjoy all the conveniences and comforts that life can offer.
Offering high-quality products at wholesale prices, Temu benefits from being the subsidiary of PDD Group, a publicly listed company on Nasdaq (Nasdaq: PDD) that handled 61 billion orders in 2021 and works with a network of more than 11 million suppliers. Temu leverages this vast network to offer customers their favorite products at low prices.
The Temu app rose to #1 in the Google Play Store shortly after launching in the US, a promising welcome to their new US headquarters in Boston.
How to Buy
Step 3: Feel Good About Your Order
Late Deliveries, Breakages, and Returns
You can shop hundreds of categories on Temu.com and in the Temu app, which is available for iOS and Android devices. Thousands of curated new products are added to Temu every day across all categories, so there will always be something new for you to discover. From clothing and accessories to home goods and pet supplies, Temu is the place to find ingenious products that will improve your life and help you feel better able to express yourself.
Temu is a strong supporter of small businesses so it’s easy to see where you’re buying from when you use Temu. Every product lists exactly where it’s coming from and each supplier has their own merchant store where you can follow them to see their latest products.
The merchant page will also allow you to leave store reviews and message the store directly to ask any questions you may have.
Step 1: Find a Product
Relax as you browse through Temu’s hundreds of categories to find new and exciting products. When you find a product you’re interested in, simply click or tap on the product to open its product page.
On the product page, you’ll be able to see where the product is coming from and how long it will take to get to you if you order. You’ll also be able to view what percentage of orders were delivered early or within that forecasted timeframe, so you know exactly what to expect when you order.
When you find a product you want, simply add it to your basket.
Step 2: Checkout
When you’ve added everything you want to your basket, simply click on your cart and you’ll be able to review your items. Temu makes it straightforward to modify anything in your cart, as you can change the color, size, and quantity without leaving the checkout page.
Temu currently offers free standard shipping on all orders.
When you’re ready to pay, it’s easy to do so in the way that is most convenient for you. Temu currently offers payment by:
- All major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express)
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
- PayPal
- Buy Now Pay Later options like Klarna and Afterpay
After you’ve placed your order, you can track its status on the “Your Orders” page in your account. Once it’s processed and shipped, you’ll receive a notification of its tracking number so you can watch its journey to you.
Step 3: Feel Good About Your Order
Late Deliveries, Breakages, and Returns
If your order arrives late, Temu will give you a $5 credit as a token of appreciation for your patience.
If your item doesn’t arrive, arrives damaged, or is not as described, Temu will offer you a full refund under the Purchase Protection Program. While every effort is made to ensure every delivery goes smoothly, the Purchase Protection Program means you can shop without a worry.
If you are unsatisfied with your order for any reason, you can claim a full refund up to 90 days later on most products. The first return for every order is free.
To start a return, simply go to “Your Orders in the account section on the website or in-app. Select the order containing the item you want to return, then click
“Return/Other Help”. Follow the instructions to print your shipping label and drop the package at your nearest UPS or USPS location.
You’ll be able to keep track of your returns in the “Returns” section of the “Your Orders” page.
Care for the Planet
Temu goes the extra step to offset the carbon emissions from every delivery, meaning they’ll do something good for the planet that will eliminate the emissions your delivery creates. What’s better than shopping with a clear conscience?
With such an extensive range of products at great prices, free tracked delivery, purchase protection, and carbon offsetting, there’s absolutely no reason not to start shopping now.
FAQs
To buy items from Temu, follow the same formula as for any e-commerce site. Find things you like, add them to your cart, and check out. There is one wrinkle before you purchase your items: you must have at least $10 worth of items in your cart before you can check out.
How does Temu shopping work? ›
2022 by Chinese e-commerce company PDD Holdings . Following in the footsteps of similar Chinese retailers, Shein and Ali Express, Temu allows Chinese vendors to sell and ship their products directly to customers, eliminating the middleman and any fees they might tack on in the process.
What is going on with the temu app? ›
What is the Temu controversy? The Temu controversy centers around the data-gathering practices of its parent company, PDD Holdings. As alluded to earlier in this article, PDD also owns a Chinese retailer called Pinduoduo, the app for which was (for a while) available on the Google Play Store.
What is the warning about Temu? ›
Cyber security experts have issued a warning against Chinese online marketplace megalith Temu's 'very dangerous' cash giveaway, claiming that it could lead to serious fraud. The retailer is offering users 'free' cash in exchange for new sign-ups - and hundreds of people are jumping on the bandwagon.
Why does Temu sell cheap stuff? ›
Temu ships directly from China – the world's leading wholesale market for almost every known product. There. The manufacturing costs are much lower because of the supportive government policies, cheaper labor, well-trained workers, efficient machinery, and more.
Is there currently a lawsuit against Temu? ›
Two class-action lawsuits related to privacy have been filed against Temu claiming Temu "gains access to literally everything on your phone" and the app is "loaded with tools to execute virulent and dangerous malware and spyware activities."
Does Temu go through your phone? ›
The lawsuit quotes experts who said that Temu gains access to “l*terally everything on your phone,” and the suit further alleges that Temu is able to read private messages, make changes to a phone's settings and track notifications.
What are the toxic chemicals in Temu? ›
Reports reveal elevated levels of lead, PFAS, and phthalates in fast fashion items. Temu's products, like those of its peers, harbor these toxins. In fact, Health Canada revealed that a Shein children's jacket contained more than 20 times the allowable amount of lead for children's products.
How to get free stuff on Temu? ›
In the app, tap the “You” icon at the bottom center of the screen, followed by the “Messages” and “Promotions” buttons. Scroll through your promotions until you see a “Daily Gift Box” promotion. Opening these free boxes can earn you special deals, promos, and even account credit. Enter Temu-organized giveaways.
What is the safest way to pay on Temu? ›
As for payment security, Temu takes multiple safe payment methods. For example, it accepts major credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, JCB, and Discover. PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Klarna payments are also supported.
From my experience, you can find many good quality tech accessories on Temu, like phone cases, AirPods cases, and laptop covers. That said, I would not recommend buying device charging cables, stations, off-brand, or "dupe" tech items from Temu.
What is the problem with Temu app? ›
People are also concerned that Temu might be collecting more personal data than it needs to operate the app. This is partly due to its parent company, Pinduoduo, which was previously accused of using malware to spy on users and removed from the Google Play Store.
Does Temu ask for a social security number? ›
Like many online companies, Temu tells you that it collects all kinds of information, from your name, phone number, and address to your birthdate, social media photos, and social security number.
Is Temu a safe site to order from? ›
Are the products on Temu good quality? Temu is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has an average rating of two-and-a-half out of five stars. Many recent complaints about Temu on the BBB website say that items never arrived or took weeks or even months to arrive.
How long does it take to get stuff ordered from Temu? ›
Typically, it takes 6 to 20 days for Temu to ship an order for Standard Shipping. If you opt for Express Shipping, the delivery time will be shorter, and you can receive your order within 4 to 9 days.
Where does the merchandise from Temu come from? ›
Temu is a Chinese-owned e-commerce company that specializes in low-cost and discount goods — mostly shipped from China. Temu's WhaleCo is owned by China-based PDD, which also owns the hugely popular Chinese e-commerce giant Pinduoduo.
Is there a monthly fee for Temu? ›
The straightforward answer is no, Temu does not charge a monthly fee to its users. You can shop to your heart's content without worrying about any recurring charges eating into your budget. Temu makes shopping accessible by not implementing a subscription model. This means you only pay for what you buy, and that's it.
