As a budget savvy millennial woman, you’re always on the lookout for ways to stretch your budget and get the most bang for your buck. One website that you may have come across lately in your online shopping ventures is TEMU, which promises discounts of up to 90% off retail prices. Sounds too good to be true, right?
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at TEMU and answer the burning question on your mind: is TEMU legitimate?
First of all, let’s start with what TEMU actually is. Temu is an Amazon style online shop where you can find discounted products, from fashion and beauty to home goods and electronics. You can browse their products online or on their mobile app, and products are sourced from overseas manufacturers. So far, so good – but is it actually worth it?
To answer that question, we need to dig a little deeper into the track record of TEMU. While the company has only been around since September 2022, it has already amassed tens of thousands of shoppers and boasts a high level of customer satisfaction with their “Team Up, Price Down” slogan. In terms of reviews– You’ll find positive reviews on sites like Trustpilot where customers tout the site’s great prices, fast shipping, and helpful customer service. There are also endorsements from media outlets like Forbes, who have published a handful of articles about the up and coming shopping app.
Of course, there are always going to be some negative reviews out there as well. Some of the complaints about TEMU involve issues with shipping or products arriving damaged. I myself can speak from experience that I have had at least 1 item per order arrive damaged, or “not as described.” However, I will give grace as both instances the damage was most likely caused by the shipping jostling the items inside (they do not use a lot of packaging to reduce costs), and customer service was a BREEZE to work with- within minutes I had a confirmed refund for the damaged items, and didn’t even have to bother sending the damaged goods back.
Another thing to keep in mind is that while TEMU offers deeply discounted prices, they don’t dish out the coupons as widely as you might be used to. Their initial offers of “up to 90% off”, “$100 coupon bundles“, and other such discounts are AMAZING. But once past that initial offer — they’ll want you to play games and refer friends to earn more discounts. My best piece of advice for this is to plan to spend a few hours browsing when you place your first initial order so that you can get the most bang for your buck. I deeply regret not purchasing the Dyson style hair dryer for $17.99 when I had the chance.
Another thing to keep in mind is items often sell out fast. Not that they don’t come back in stock, and TEMU does a great job of suggesting close alternatives — but it can be frustrating when you are waiting to order and something you really wanted sells out from under your nose.
Finally, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: is TEMU legit in terms of its ethical and environmental standards? As a conscious millennial shopper, you likely want to support companies that align with your values. TEMU acknowledges this concern and states that they show their “commitment through environmental sustainability.” For example, when I checked out my purchase this morning, it prompted me to donate $0.25 so that TEMU could plant a tree for their initiatives. Temu products are also listed by the manufacturer name- which many of them are also easily found on Amazon, Overstock, and Wayfair — just at much higher markups than TEMU. TL;DR –> Temu is selling the same products you already purchase on other platforms. However, as with any company, it’s up to you to decide whether their practices align with your own values.
So, is TEMU legitimate for millennial women who like to shop on a budget and get the most bang for their buck? The answer is a resounding yes – although, as with any shopping site, it’s important to do your own research and decide whether it’s a good fit for your needs and values. (My personal tactic is to read, read, read the reviews of every product before purchasing). TEMU offers deep discounts on a range of products, has a solid track record of customer satisfaction, and provides a unique shopping experience. If you’re looking to cut down on your spending without sacrificing style or quality, TEMU is definitely worth a try.
