Is Temu Legit? Everything You Need To Know

Did you see the Temu website during a random online shopping spree?

If you’re unfamiliar with the site, you likely wonder, “Is Temu legit and safe?

Yes. Temu is a legitimate website.

However, there are a few things that you should know about Temu before buying anything from their store.

I wrote this article to discuss information that can help you decide whether to buy products from Temu or avoid it.

• Is Temu reputable?

• Is Temu a scam?

• How does Temu work?

I will answer these questions and more in my Temu review.

Let’s begin.

Is Temu Legit? Is Temu real?

Is Temu trustworthy and legit? Is Temu a legit company?

Yes. Temu is a legitimate ecommerce platform with many legitimate sellers.

Temu is a real company and marketplace with many real products you can buy online.

Since Temu is an online marketplace, some sellers may be legitimate while others are not.

Temu isn’t accredited by the Better Business Bureau, a non-profit accrediting board that strengthens the legitimacy of online services. Thus, some buyers in the US might not feel comfortable buying from the site.

Sadly, some customers have bought products from Temu that weren’t as advertised on the product listings. Others receive delayed orders because of long order processing times.

I’ll share some tips and insights to help you avoid these sellers later.

However, these unfortunate incidents don’t mean all Temu transactions will be a bad experience. If you can find legitimate sellers on Temu, you can get great deals on products in online shopping categories like:

• Clothing

• Home & Kitchen

• Bags & Luggage

• Automotive

• Toys

• Electronics

• Appliances

• Pet Supplies

• Instruments

• Accessories

• and more

What Is Temu?

Temu is an online marketplace that connects sellers and buyers in one platform. One thing that makes the site stand out is its highly affordable prices.

Temu launched in 2022, meaning it’s quite new in the market. But its popularity has skyrocketed through robust ad campaigns and their affordable prices.

Temu’s parent company, PDD Holdings, is a multinational commerce group based in Shanghai, China. It also moved principal executive offices from Shanghai to Dublin, Ireland.

Is Temu free to use? The good news is that it is. You only pay for products you buy, much like most marketplace apps.

Some Temu shopping reviews compare it with online marketplaces like Shein and AliExpress.

How is Temu like Wish or other platforms?

Regarding the Temu vs. Wish comparison, both marketplaces offer cheap products from China.

Some aspects make Temu different from other stores. For one, it provides a larger diversity of products than other platforms.

Shein mostly offers fashion-based items. Temu has other categories than clothing.

How Is Temu So Cheap?

Temu prices are low because the marketplace directly connects buyers with suppliers. With direct access, the prices don’t have middleman-associated costs that other sites would have.

Online shoppers in the US can also get the products at extremely low prices because of tax loopholes that let you import products lower than $800 without any duties, taxes, or fees.

Temu’s products are often unbranded and mass-produced, driving even lower prices. They’re also manufactured in China, with lower production and labor costs than US-manufactured goods.

Is Temu Good Quality?

It depends. Temu is a marketplace, so it doesn’t own any products on its platform. The product quality depends on the seller.

There have been mixed reports about product quality in Temu. Some customers say they got the product as advertised and received it in good condition. Others say that their shipments were below their expected standards.

It’s best to read Temu customer reviews before ordering to see what their past customers say about their experience with that seller. Be wary of fake reviews.

How Long Does Temu Take To Ship?

Here are Temu’s standard shipping periods.

• Continental US – 5 to 8 business days

• Canada – 7 to 14 business days

• Other destinations – 7 to 30 business days.

Standard shipping is always free on Temu. There’s also an express shipping option that promises that you get the product after 2-3 business days. This option will cost $12.90 for orders below $129. Beyond that price point, express shipping is free.

Some shoppers have reported that they experienced shipping delays. A Temu order can take up to 25 days to arrive.

What Payment Methods Are Available in Temu?

Temu provides several payment methods to make shopping easy for their customers. Their payment options include:

• Visa and Mastercard

• Discover

• JCB

• Diners Club

• UnionPay

• American Express

• Klarna

• Afterpay

• Apple Pay

• Google Pay

• PayPal

• Temu Credit

Is Temu Safe To Order From? 

Here are factors and policies that help make Temu safe to order from.

Temu’s Purchase Protection Program

The Temu purchase protection program builds buyer protection because it assures you that you can get a refund if your orders arrive damaged, incomplete, or don’t arrive at all.

In case you get a faulty product or if you don’t get your order, here’s how you can get a refund under the Temu’s purchase protection program:

1- Go to the Your Orders page and click on Return/Other Help.

2- Indicate the reason for your return.

3- Print the return label and ship the package back via USPS or UPS.

4- Once Temu qualifies your return as eligible, you’ll get the full refund in your original payment method.

5- If you’d like to receive your refund in Temu credit, you can also request to do so. Credits appear in your Temu credit balance within 3 minutes.

The buyer’s protection program covers the first 90 days of purchase.

You can contact customer service for any issues with your return or refund.

Tracking Information

Temu has a reliable order-tracking method on its platform. This way, you can see where your product is in transit and get timely updates on shipping progress. You can track your order on the Temu app or website.

Tracking Orders on the Mobile App

1. Sign in to your Temu account.

2. Tap on Your Orders.

3. Choose the product you want to track.

4. Tap on Track and check the tracking details.

Tracking Orders on the Website

1. Sign in to your Temu account.

2. Click on Your Orders.

3. Choose the product you want to track and click on Your Order Details.

4. Click on Track and check the tracking details.

If you have problems with your order tracking, you can also contact the Temu Team through the Temu Customer Service channels.

Reputable Brands

Many products in Temu are brandless. But for categories like electronics, Temu does have some reputable brands on its platform.

But be aware that some Temu sellers tend to offer brand knockoffs. Avoid any branded fashion items on Temu, as they’re likely not legitimate brands. If you see any clothes you like, check the Temu clothing reviews before buying.

Payment and Data Security

Temu’s payment gateways are secure and encrypted, so you don’t have to worry about people stealing your payment information online.

Temu App Reviews: Why People Think Temu Is a Scam

If Temu is legitimate, why are there many negative Temu reviews and complaints? You might encounter some negative reviews about Temu online.

That’s because there are legitimate concerns about Temu’s quality and service. Here are common reasons people might have problems shopping in Temu.

Low-Quality Items

One common issue people report about their Temu purchases is the quality of their products, even if there are some quality products on the Temu platform.

Check the seller feedback rating before buying to spot the ones that are. It also helps to choose from sellers who have shipped hundreds of orders already.

If you see some low ratings on a seller’s listing, read them and see why people gave this score. Lastly, avoid products with far-fetched prices.

Slow Shipping Times

Temu ships from China so shipping times will take longer. Depending on many factors, your product could arrive in 1 week to 2 months.

There have also been reports of the first order going out extremely fast to get your trust and subsequent orders taking much longer.

Poor Customer Service

Temu’s customer service has been notoriously slow or unresponsive. Most complaints about the platform have been about their customer support.

There are also some reports of support-provided coupon codes and discounts that do not work.

Getting a full refund seems to be the only support item that the site takes seriously. Other than that, expect to interact with bots.

Misleading Product Listings

Many customer complaints on Temu have to do with products not matching their product listings. In some cases, the product looks different from the advertised images. Some customers say products have missing accessories or components.

Other cases include missing product manuals or unclear terms and conditions.

To avoid these cases, check customer ratings and see if anyone has made any complaints about these cases.

Should You Shop in Temu? Pros and Cons

Should you shop in Temu? That’s up to you, but these pros and cons should guide your decision-making.

Pros

• Affordable Products – Products in Temu are some of the cheapest online.

• Coupons, Sales, and Discounts – Many retailers offer products at sale prices, and Temu gives out many coupons to shoppers.

• Low or Free Shipping – Shipping costs are affordable. You also get free express shipping for orders above $129.

• Reliable Return Policy – Temu gives full refunds and free returns if your order is damaged or missing important components.

• Safe Payment Gateways – Your payments are secure when you order on Temu.

• Reliable Mobile App – Most Temu reviews have been positive because the platform is easy to use.

Cons

• No Quality Control – Temu doesn’t check the quality of their sellers’ products.

• Hard To Find a Legitimate Seller – Finding good sellers on Temu is harder than on other established platforms.

• Fake Coupons – Many report receiving fake coupons that don’t work.

• Slow Shipping – Temu is notorious for having slow shipping on product orders.

• Misleading Product Advertising – Many sellers on Temu tend to put up fake or misleading ads and product listings.

How To Order From Temu: Step-by-Step

If you want to shop in Temu, follow this step-by-step guide:

1- Download the Temu app (iOS or Android) or visit the Temu website.

2- Look for products you want to order online. Don’t forget to check the seller’s ratings and reviews before placing an order.

3- Specify the quantity, color, size, and any variation the site might ask. Add the items to your cart.

4- Click Go to Cart when you’re ready to pay.

5- Log in to your Temu account. If you don’t have an account, you must make one before proceeding.

6- Fill in your shipping information.

7- Enter your payment details.

8- Submit your order and await the confirmation email with a shipping tracking code.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are There Coupons for Temu?

Temu always awards coupon codes, most of which are available to all their shoppers. To find coupons, tap the You tab on the Temu app and look for the Coupons section.

You’ll find all the coupons you can use there.

Where Is Temu Located?

Temu is a Chinese company headquartered in Shanghai. But their sellers and retailers come from all parts of China.

Can I Get Free Stuff From Temu?

There are several ways to get free items and products from Temu. One way is to sign up for an account. Temu often gives coupons to new shoppers on the platform, which you can use immediately.

You can use those coupons for free products or discounts on higher-priced items.

You can also join the referral program to get a free gift. Share your referral code with your friends. Once someone joins Temu through your link, the company will give you a free item.

Is Temu Reliable?

Is Temu legit and safe? Or is Temu fake and unreliable? The platform is reliable.

But there are some issues about product quality and shipping. There are also concerns about the legitimacy of some sellers on the platform, so screen merchants before you buy.

I don’t recommend buying fragile items from Temu because the shipping won’t be as careful with your products.

Is Temu the Same as Shein?

There are many similarities between Shein and Temu, like providing good quality products at cheap prices. They’re also both originally from China and have many suppliers.

But Shein focuses on fashion products. Temu has a wider variety of product options.

How Do You Use Temu?

You can buy various items, such as Christmas gifts, corporate giveaways, or personal use.

Can You Order From Temu Without the App?

Yes. You can order from Temu through their website.

How Do I Return Orders to Temu?

You can return items to Temu within 90 days if your purchase is wrong or if there are damages.

The Bottom Line 

Should you trust Temu? In many ways, Temu is a trustworthy e-commerce platform with real products. However, the slow shipping, poor customer service, and bad sellers could cause problems.

There are some great upsides to Temu, though, like its low prices, buyer protection policy, and safe payment gateways. The decision to shop in Temu is yours to make.

Hopefully, my guide will help you make an informed decision and get the best deals without compromising quality and safety.

Some consider Temu as one of the many apps like Wish. You can consider these platforms if you’re looking for affordable apparel, shoes, and other products.