Is Temu Legit or a Scam? Read Before You Buy

Just a month ago, my sister was scrolling through Facebook when she stumbled upon an ad from an e-commerce company called Temu. The ad featured items at unbelievably low prices. She looked at me with a questioning expression and asked, ‘Is this legitimate?’ I wondered to myself, could this be a scam? So, I decided to check it out for her.

As I started my search, I noticed many digital creators posting about the items they bought from Temu, and I began to wonder—*What’s this site all about?*

I had all the questions you probably have right now:

• Is Temu legit and safe?
• Is it safe to buy from it?
• How are the prices *so* low?
• Are the products actually good quality?
• How long does it take to receive an order?

I knew I needed answers, not just for my sister, but for myself. So, I dove into reviews, articles, videos, customer posts, etc…

So, I found the answers we were both looking for—and since you’re here, you likely still have some questions too.

Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Let me share what I discovered.

Now, let’s start with the golden question:

What is Temu?

Temu is an online marketplace pronounced like this (tee-moo) and you can access it through its app or at temu.com. The name “Temu” stands for “Team Up, Price Down,” which shows how it works. When customers and manufacturers work together, prices get lower.

This is because of its business model C2M (Consumer-to-Manufacturer) where products come directly from the manufacturer, skipping the middlemen and allowing for bulk purchasing, which helps keep costs low.

Temu is a fast-growing online store owned by the Chinese e-commerce company PDD Holdings.

When say a fast-growing online store, it is not a joke. Because, since its launch date in September 2022 until today, the company has received over 500 million downloads. Also, It receives over 30 million downloads every month according to Statista.

Global Downloads of the Temu App (Source: Statista)

Okay, but why is Temu so popular? If you notice, Temu’s slogan is “Shop like a billionaire” which explains it. They offer a wide selection of products at very low prices, from electronics and clothes to home goods and beauty items.

Screenshot of Temu Homepage

Just imagine this, you can buy Earbuds for under $13, dresses starting at $15, or makeup brushes for less than $10.

These low prices often lead you to think, is Temu a legitimate website? Let’s see.

Is Temu a legitimate company?

In short, Yes, Temu is a legitimate online marketplace.

But let’s be real—just saying that isn’t enough, right? So, let me break it down for you. Let’s start with numbers—and honestly, they’re pretty impressive.

As of early 2024, around 167 million people start using Temu every month globally. That’s a huge increase of 614% compared to just 23 million a year earlier.

In the U.S. alone, Temu has seen over 50 million users monthly, and 26% of Americans reported using Temu for shopping within the last 12 months. The platform’s gross merchandise value (GMV) soared to an impressive $15.33 billion in 2023. (Source: Investor’s Business Daily)

Marco Scacchi from Sensor Tower pointed out that Temu has truly made a mark in the U.S. market, being the top app in downloads every quarter since early 2023. It also holds the second spot for ad impressions in the U.S., right behind Amazon.

If people weren’t getting their orders, would this many folks still be using it?

And check this out: Temu’s website saw over 684 million visitors per month according to Similarweb. They also handled a mind-blowing 412 million orders in 2023 according to recent data. This level of activity isn’t something you see from a company that’s scamming people.

Think about it—would millions of people keep downloading the app (over 500 million according to AppMagic) if they weren’t receiving their products? It’s hard to believe that a platform with this much success wouldn’t be delivering as promised.

Read Also: Temu vs AliExpress: Which Is Cheaper and Safer?

That’s a huge user base, and it didn’t get there by being shady. Its growth is insane, especially for a platform that launched just 2 years ago in 2022.

In just a few months of its launch date, it topped app charts on both Google Play and the Apple Store.

By January 2023, it was the #1 most downloaded shopping app in the U.S. according to Satista It even surpassed Amazon and Walmart in downloads.

So, what do you think? With numbers like these, doesn’t it seem like Temu has earned its spot? It’s pretty clear—Temu wouldn’t be hitting these milestones if people weren’t happy with their purchases.

Still unsure? That’s fair.

You might be thinking, ‘Maybe it’s all just good marketing.’ And sure, Temu’s success owes something to its strong marketing strategies. I’ve even heard some people call Temu ‘the poor man’s AliExpress with great marketing.’

What next then?

As I mentioned above, Temu is owned by PDD Holdings. Yes, the parent company of Pinduoduo, the massive Chinese e-commerce company that’s been around for a while. They’re huge, like, really huge. Think of Amazon but with a different business model.

Read Also: Temu vs DHgate: Which One Better?

To help you understand better, PDD Holdings is an e-commerce platform with a reputation for offering low-cost products. It is publicly traded on the NASDAQ (stock ticker: PDD), so it’s not some random hidden company.

This might give Temu more credibility because the financials are out in the open for investors to analyze.

Ok, but what about the Temu rating on sites like Trustpilot? I see what you mean.

Based on my latest check on 11, September 2024, Temu has a 2.7 out of 5-star rating based on 24,356 reviews. This can be scary especially when you compare it with competitors like SHEIN, and Alibaba which have scores of 4.3.

But wait, let’s compare it with other companies like Amazon held a score of 1.7 also, AliExpress 2.8, or even DHgate which has 1.6.

Now, does this mean that a big company like Amazon is a scam, or is not legit also? Of course not. Amazon is a big and older company. But what that means?

You have to know that the bigger the company is, the more complaints will be received.

And if you remember we discussed above how fast this company became big in just 2 years.

The company handles millions of transactions at ultra-low prices. So, the increase of dissatisfied customers are more likely to leave reviews than satisfied ones.

Despite this lower rating, the company is still fulfilling orders. Also, keep in mind that they offer refunds through their purchase protection program.

If Temu was scamming users on a large scale, its user base would likely decrease, but instead, it continues to grow.

Most complaints are around shipping times and product quality, this doesn’t mean forgetting the real issues, but it shows that Temu is more about trade-offs.

Let’s be real— if you’re after low prices, you need to accept longer shipping times and varied product quality.

Their was some brands in Temu have been caught selling knock-off products, like fake Air Jordans for under $50. This was one of the reasons that raised concerns about the authenticity of some items that sell on the platform.

However, to help shoppers avoid these fakes, Temu started using the blue tick system that highlights verified sellers and products. If you see the blue tick, you can feel more confident that the item is legit. Just keep an eye out for it, and make sure to check reviews to avoid counterfeits.

On the shipping side, Temu shipping times can range from 6 to 22 days on average, and this is because their warehouses are in China.

So, if you are used to lightning-fast delivery from marketplaces like Amazon, that might feel like an eternity. However, remember that Temu offers free shipping on most orders, which can offset your waiting. We will discuss the shipping policy of Temu later just keep reading.

Read Also: Is DHgate Legit or a Scam? Read Before You Buy

One important point people talk about when it comes to Temu legitimately is its accreditation by (BBB). Yes, according to my latest check, the company is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website.

It currently holds a B- rating, which may raise the same questions, but it’s important to put this into context.

The complaints are often about late deliveries or trouble getting refunds, which is something normal for large and fast-growing platforms.

So,

Is it safe to buy from Temu?

Generally, yes it can be safe to buy from Temu.

However, there are some things you should keep in mind to ensure a smooth shopping experience.

First, let’s see why it is considered safe. Regardless that Temu is owned by a reputable company with deep experience in online retail PDD Holdings and the other factors I mentioned above like its growth.

While doing my research about Temu I noticed that they offer an amazing feature called Purchase Protection Program. This amazing feature allows you to get a full refund if your order arrives damaged, doesn’t match the description, or if you didn’t receive it at all.

Read Also: Is AliExpress Legit? A Guide for Savvy Shoppers 2024

I also ran a quick security check on Temu’s website using VirusTotal, a powerful tool that analyzes websites, apps, and files, for malware and other potential security threats.

And as you can see in the picture below, the results show that Temu’s site is safe, with a clean score of 0/94 detections from multiple security vendors, indicating no malicious content.

This can be a great layer of protection, especially when you buy from a platform that sells a wide range of products.

Besides that to help you avoid any fake products, Temu started to use the blue tick system to help you identify verified sellers and products as I mentioned above.

This is an important step, especially since research has shown that some unverified sellers on the platform have listed fake products.

In addition, Temu offers free returns and refunds within 90 days, which is one of the big safety measures for you.

If the product you get doesn’t meet your expectations, you won’t be stuck with it. Just make sure to check the return policy for specific items before getting them.

When it comes to payments, Temu uses advanced encryption technologies like HTTPS, TLS, and SSL. Also, they work with HackerOne to look out for any potential issues and address them to keep your information safe.

So,

What is the Temu controversy?

Since it launched concerns raised about the platform, especially when it comes to data collection practices.

Let’s take Tim Griffin (Arkansas Attorney General) for example, who said: “You may be thinking, how can they sell that so low? Because it’s not their business. Their business is the data.”

Also, according to Grizzly Research, once you install the Temu app, it can ask for more access to your data than it needs to work.

This is not something new because, its parent company, PDD Holdings, has had similar issues in the past.

On April 3, 2023, CNN Business posted an article about how experts were worried that Pinduoduo, another app owned by PDD, was collecting too much user data without permission.

In response, PDD broke up the team that worked on Pinduoduo and moved many of them to work on Temu.

Read Also: Amazon Refund Trick: Why You Should Avoid It in 2024

So, Does this mean that Temu is not safe? No, not exactly. even big companies like Google and Facebook face that in the past, but they still operate. However, this shows that there are concerns about privacy and how much data is being collected.

While these concerns exist, Temu is still considered safe for shopping if you’re careful. You can limit the data the app collects by changing your phone settings and being mindful of app permissions.

While we talk about collecting data. let’s see what data Temu collects and who it shares with.

What data does Temu collect from you?

Temu is like any other company online they collect some data from you. According to their privacy policy, when you use Temu, they collect a variety of personal information and data from your device, here’s a breakdown:

Information that you provide

• Your Name
• username
• Email Address
• Shipping and Billing Address
• Phone Number
• profile photo

They will collect your payment details also like credit card information or PayPal account, to process your purchases securely. It’s important to note that they claim to use encryption to protect this data.

Information collected automatically

• IP Address
• Device Details
• Location data

Browsing and Usage Data

They track how you interact with their app, like:

• Which products do you view.
• Items you add to your cart or wish list.
• Pages you visit and how long you stay on each.
• What you search for on the app.

Cookies and Similar Technologies

Temu uses cookies and other tracking tools to remember your preferences and provide targeted ads.

It helps personalize your experience, like showing you items you’re more likely to be interested in based on your past activity.

Third-Party Data

If you register to Temu with your social media accounts (like Facebook or Google), They may collect some data from those accounts, like your profile information.

Communications Data

If you contact Temu customer service or chat with support, they will store those conversations for reference and to improve service.

Data Collected for Marketing

 Temu can collect data about your purchasing habits and interactions with promotions. This will help them send you personalized marketing and product recommendations.

But Why does Temu collect all this? According to their privacy policy, they collect this data to improve your shopping experience, send you target ads, and enhance security. Like most e-commerce sites, it’s good to review what permissions you’re comfortable with when using the app.

Does Temu Share Your Data?

Yes, Temu shares some of your data but not in the traditional sense, as they mentioned in their privacy policy. They may share it with third parties for various reasons like processing orders.

Temu can share your data with sellers, shipping providers, and payment processors to complete your purchase and deliver your products. Also, it can be for marketing purposes with advertisers or partners to offer you targeted ads. This means you might see Temu-related ads after browsing their site. And also, for legal purposes if required.

How to use Temu safely?

The fact that Temu is connected to China makes some people more worried about where their data might end up. Maybe you are one of them and you want to use Temu but at the same time, you want to be as safe as possible.

Well, let me provide you with the best tips you can follow to protect both your personal information and your overall shopping experience.

But before we dive into these tips, let me share something that might help you feel a bit more at ease. Have you heard of DEKRA? It’s a respected global safety organization known for testing apps to ensure they’re secure. Temu actually passed its test and earned a (MASA) Certification.

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still be cautious, but it’s good to know that Temu has taken steps to protect its users.

Now, let’s move on to the best tips to keep your personal information safe while shopping.

• Let’s start with your account. When you create an account on Temu, make sure to use a strong password that’s different from what you use on other sites. Use at least 10 characters, including numbers, letters, and symbols. This will make it more difficult for anyone to access your account.
• When you install the Temu app, it may ask for permissions like access to your location, contacts, and camera. You don’t need all of these for shopping. So, remember to turn off unnecessary permissions.
• Despite Temu collecting your data as we said before, you can limit the amount they get. For example, when you make a purchase, only provide necessary information and opt out of marketing emails if you’re not interested. This adds a layer of privacy and ensures you’re not sharing more data than necessary.
• If you’re using an iPhone, the “Hide My Email” feature is a great way to protect your inbox. It generates you random email address for your account, forwarding messages to your main iCloud email. If you start getting a lot of spam, you can deactivate the temporary address and keep your inbox clean.
• If you are not an iPhone user, think about email aliases. Most email providers let you set up email aliases. You can create a separate email for Temu or other online shopping accounts to avoid spam and phishing emails.
• Think also to use a VPN to add privacy when browsing Temu. A VPN will hide your IP address, making it harder for third parties to track your online activity.
• Look for verified sellers that have a blue badge verification to reduce the chances of receiving counterfeit or low-quality items.
• Before you make a purchase, always read user reviews. Be cautious if a vendor has only a few reviews, even if they are positive, as you know people buy reviews these days. So, look for sellers with a high number of positive reviews to ensure authenticity and reliability.
• Take advantage of the Purchase Protection program to guarantee refunds if your items don’t arrive, are damaged, or aren’t as described. This will give you peace of mind when buying, but make sure you understand the return process for any product before getting it.
• Don’t link your bank account or debit card directly to Temu. Instead, use safer options like Visa gift cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, or PayPal.
• Avoid making large purchases like expensive electronics. The platform’s strength is in its low-priced items like water bottles or trainers. If something goes wrong with a small purchase, the financial loss will be minimal.
• Keep an eye on the news about Temu and its parent company, PDD Holdings. As a newer company, Temu may face changes or news regarding data practices, so staying informed helps you make smarter decisions.

Why is Temu so cheap?

Before I did my research, I was wondering as well, why Temu products are at such low prices compared to competitors like Amazon.

Here is a real example of pink Wireless Earbuds from the (verified seller) Btootos brand, as you can see below it costs $89.99 on Amazon, while it costs only $12.15 on Temu.

This is just one example. You might find a smartwatch selling for $100 on Amazon available for only $30 on Temu, or a gaming headset retailing for $150 on Amazon listed for $50 on Temu.

Read Also: Amazon Prime Day 2024: Everything you need to know

So, when I started looking for the reason, I discovered that Temu offers low prices because of its unique business model (C2M), smart cost-saving strategies, and support from its parent company, PDD Holdings. Let me break this down for you.

Let’s start with the big support Temu gets from PDD Holdings.

As I mentioned before Temu is owned by PDD Holdings, the same company behind a huge Chinese shopping Pinduoduo.

And Pinduoduo is known to let people buy things in groups, which helps them get better deals. Temu uses the same system and connections, letting it sell products at lower prices because it buys and sells in large amounts.

The second reason is that Temu Buying directly from manufacturers.

Normally, products go through several hands before they reach you, with each person adding a markup. But Temu follows the (C2M) manufacturer-to-consumer model. It means it skips all that and goes straight from the factory to you, which saves them a lot of money so they keep prices low.

This is not the only reason of course.

Don’t tell me you haven’t seen a Temu ad before while scrolling on social media, they are everywhere. This is because instead of spending tons of money on traditional ads like TV commercials, they focus on social media, influencers, and referral programs.

This means they don’t have to pay huge advertising fees and can use that extra money to lower prices for customers like you. In addition, they already have the backing of PDD Holdings as we said. So they don’t need to spend as much to get people’s attention.

Another thing is that Temu focuses on Everyday Products.

If you notice most of the items selling on Temu are electronics, clothes, and home items. This is because these items are in high demand, and they get sold quickly. But how is this related to offering low prices? Well, the faster these items sell, the less time they spend sitting in warehouses. This means Temu doesn’t have to pay for long-term storage, which helps them keep costs low.

Also, Temu is creative when it comes to providing discounts.

If you already visited their app or platform, you might’ve seen their games where you can win coupons or extra deals by sharing with friends.

This isn’t just fun, it’s a smart strategy to keep you engaged and spread the word, all while offering you better prices. It’s a win-win: you get discounts, and they save on advertising.

What also makes Temu cheaper is that Like its alternative AliExpress, most of its products come from China, where production costs are lower because of cheaper labor and materials.

While this helps keep prices low, it also means that there’s little or no quality control in many cases.

This can lead you to wonder about the quality of the products on the platform, as lower prices don’t always guarantee the best items.

While some products are decent, others may not meet the same standards you’d expect from more expensive brands or stores. So, remember to read our Temu shopping tips to avoid any scams before making a purchase.

In terms of shipping to the USA, Temu keeps prices low by using the De Minimis Tax Exemption. This legislation lets them ship items worth under $800 without paying extra duties or taxes, which helps them offer cheaper prices. It’s a smart move to keep costs down.

And at last, Temu is playing the long game. So, even if they lose some money now when they offering huge discounts it’s okay for them. Today the most important thing for a lot of companies online is to build and get more loyal customers. Even big companies like Amazon and Uber did the same thing when they first started.

Is Temu a scam?

No, Temu is not a scam. But like any big marketplace online, Temu also can sometimes get targeted by scammers who try to take advantage of its popularity. This means it’s important for you to be aware and stay alert while shopping.

Let’s see, for example, you might come across fake Temu coupon codes or discounts on social media that promise you to get huge discounts. But it can be actually a trap to get your personal information.

So, to stay safe, while enjoying the best and latest discounts from Temu, you can check their official site directly. Or you can check our manually verified Temu coupon codes to get the latest legit coupon codes available.

Also, be cautious of fake Temu gift card providers or suspicious affiliate links that lead to fake sites.

However, let’s say you get scammed what should you do?

What to do if you get scammed on Temu?

If you get scammed on Temu, here’s what you need to do.

First, make sure to contact your bank to try and reverse the transaction. Then, run a security scan on your device and change your passwords.

Remember to reach out to Temu’s customer service to know about the scam. Also, report the incident to the FTC, the FBI’s IC3, and the BBB Scam Tracker to help prevent any future scams.

So, by following these steps you may be able to get back on track and protect others from similar issues.

How Long Does Temu Take to Ship?

So, how long does Temu take to ship? Well, it’s like trying to guess how fast that last slice of pizza will go, it depends.

Now, if you are in the USA and you choose the standard shipping, which is free for all orders, it will take between 6 to 22 days to arrive.

However, if you’re in a hurry, you can choose the other express shipping which is faster, taking around 4 to 11 days. It’s free if you spend over $129, but it’ll cost you $12.90 otherwise.

But remember, this is just an estimate. Sometimes, things can get delayed because of other factors like weather, holidays, etc…

For the other countries, the shipping time is different. Also, based on my latest check, the express shipping method is not available in all countries yet, like Morocco, the UAE, Lithuania, etc…

So, make sure your shipping address is spot-on. While P.O. boxes work for most items, some larger or special items need a physical address. Temu will allow you to track the shipping status of your order whether you are using the app or through Temu.com.

To access your shipping information, just go to “Your Orders” and click the “Track” button next to your order for a direct link.

keep you in the loop with tracking info, and if anything goes wrong, you’ve got 90 days to reach out to customer service to help sort things out.

Is Temu ethical?

When it comes to whether Temu is ethical, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, they claim to be all about reducing waste and avoiding forced labor. They even claim they’ll cut ties with anyone breaking their rules. Sounds good, right?

But then you hear about a report from Congress saying there’s a risk of forced labor in some of their products.

And let’s not forget those other issues they’ve faced, like copyright problems and data leaks.

For instance, a recent story from BBC News highlighted an issue where Elizabeth Harbour, an illustrator from Kent, found her designs being copied and sold on Temu.

When she reached out to Temu on April 14, 2024, the company acted fast and removed the counterfeit listings the very next day.

It’s great that Temu responded quickly. This shows they’re taking these matters seriously, but it still raises some questions about their overall handling of such issues.

While they say they have rules in place to prevent this stuff, it’s tough to know for sure if they’re following them.

So, what’s the deal?

Honestly, it’s up to you. If you want to support Temu, make sure to do some extra research. Look into their supply chain practices and see if they’re really doing what they say. But if you’re feeling a bit uneasy, there are a lot of other alternatives out there.

3 Best Temu Alternatives

If you are not okay with Temu and you are looking for other marketplaces online, here are the 3 best alternatives to Temu in my opinion.

#1. Amazon

Let’s start with Amazon, and I think Amazon does not need to define, It is the number 1 marketplace in the world. It is known to offer a wide selection of products and services, fast shipping, excellent customer service, and reliable returns. However, when it comes to prices it can be more expensive than Temu, especially for smaller items.

#2. AliExpress

AliExpress is another bigger and older than Temu company. It is based in China, which means, it also gets direct access to Chinese manufacturers. It also offers a wide range of products, often at lower prices than Amazon. But in terms of shipping, you might expect longer shipping times, potential language barriers, and varying quality control.

#3. DHgate

DHgate is also based in China and offers wholesale pricing for bulk purchases. The company has direct-to-manufacturer sourcing and a variety of product categories. However, DHgate also has some cons like no product quality control, longer shipping times and you might need more research to find reliable sellers.

Is Temu a good company?

Actually, the answer to this question is up to you, after I provided you with all the upsides and downsides possible, you should have now a clearer picture.

Temu offers great deals and a wide range of products, thanks to many factors as I mentioned above. However, it’s also worth considering any potential concerns about data privacy and legitimacy.

FAQ

So, what do you think? Is Temu a legitimate company? Share this with your friends if you found it helpful and let them also find answers to their questions.