Whenever something seems “too good to be true” we’re immediately wary of it, and that tends to be a good thing.
Since launcing in Australia in March 2023 I’d heard all of the rumours surrounding Temu; namely that the bargain prices were a result of some form of slave labour overseas and the website wasn’t safe enough to input our credit or debit card details.
So like anyone caught up in the rumour mill I decided to steer clear, deciding that it wasn’t worth the otherwise very tempting prices of everyday homewares, fashion and lifestyle products.
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That is, until I noticed a great number of my favourite content creators sharing their Temu finds on social media… so I decided to investigate the e-Commerce platform once and for all.
Temu — which is actually pronounced Teh-moo, not Tee-moo — is already number five on the list of Australia’s leading online retail brands — surpassing Everyday Rewards, Flybuys, Coles Group and even Bunnings Warehouse.
And it’s only been in operation down here for 18 months.
Most of Temu’s products are sourced from China but that’s because the majority of factories producing everyday necessities are based there. Many of the manufacturers it uses are the same ones that supply goods to Bunnings, Kmart and Target.
So why is it so cheap, you might still be asking yourself.
The traditional retail process involves multiple stages between production of a product and its sale, each adding additional costs that are passed on to consumers at the checkout.
Temu streamlines this process by directly connecting customers with the world-class manufacturers, eliminating unnecessary intermediaries and reducing associated costs. It’s that simple.
The large volume of orders processed through Temu everyday — 3.8million Aussies have shopped on the website over the last 12 months — allows the platform to secure economies of scale, leading to more favourable logistics and delivery terms. This lowers the cost for its customers once again.
MYTH BUSTING RUMOURS
So what about that slave labour rumour I talked about earlier?
Claims that Temu’s competitive pricing is achieved through exploitative labour practices are completely unfounded.
The business works with reputable manufacturers who operate advanced production facilities and the brand’s strict Third Party Code of Conduct forbids child or penal labour and requires adherence to all local labour laws, including regulations concerning wages, working hours, voluntary employment,freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining.
Any merchant found to not follow these terms is immediately removed.
Temu has also never provided user data to the Chinese government and will not do so, even if asked.
Temu is also Trusted Site Certified Secure Site and strictly follows industry standards (PCI DSS) to protect customers’ card information.
They encrypt everything for our safety.
What’s more, the team works with major payment networks like Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and JCB which all have their own advanced security measures in place to protect customer’s financial information.
MY FIRST BUYING EXPERIENCE
Temu has a well-known app attached to its website but for my first visit to the site I wanted to see the products up close and personal, so I used my laptop.
While it’s definitely true the brand uses ‘gamification’ to provide ample deals and percentage off specials there is actually no need to click on the calls to “spin the wheel” if you don’t feel like it. On this occasion I didn’t.
My main focus for this shopping expedition was homewares because I’m partway through decorating my new house.
Sticking to a farmhouse-meets-cottagecore theme I decided to pick up a cookbook stand holder ($8), 30 pairs of hanging strips to put up my artworks on the wall ($5.39), a rooster jar to house my salt by the oven ($12.38), a $15 red gingham tablecloth, two expandable curtain rods ($19.27) and plaid valance curtains to put over my dishwasher and oven (see imagery for what that looks like).
After you order your products the contact from Temu is second to none.
Emails fly in thick and fast with information about how long it will take to get to your doorstep and if they’re projections are off by even a day you’ll get a $5 credit on your account.
It was a seamless purchasing experience that resulted in my items coming on time and looking exactly as I imagined (it’s worth checking the dimensions on every product you buy — just in case it’s smaller or larger than you think!).
I’ve set up the majority of my purchases around the kitchen and the theme I was hoping for is starting to come together.
One of my favourite purchases from Temu to date is a $40 pastel coloured portable radio. I put it on as soon as I get home and listen to tunes while I cook. Call me a millennial but I couldn’t believe the quality.
FINAL THOUGHTS
While it might seem scary to try something new, as a now frequent purchaser on the Temu website I can guarantee that all of the terrifying myths perpetuated about the website are just that — myths.
Do your own research and make an informed choice based on your own needs and don’t let others dissuade you.
Temu is actually currently running a Back Friday sale so there has never been a better time to test it out.
Looking for other Black Friday sales? See below.
STARTING NOVEMBER 1
- Laithwaites: Get 15 wines for just $127.50. Customers will save up to $205 and get free delivery. The sale will run until December 31.
- Showpo: A range of dresses, jumpsuits and co-ordinates are on sale throughout November.
- CurrentBody: 30 per cent off the CurrentBody Skin LED Complete Kit, 25 per cent off CurrentBody Skin Special LED Kit and 30 per cent off ZIIP Superior Set until December 24.
- Cathay Pacific: Plenty of unmissable travel packages from now until November 30. Save up to $200 on flight and hotel packages.
STARTING NOVEMBER 2
STARTING NOVEMBER 4
- Lovehoney: Pleasure seekers can score up to 70 per cent off the brand’s entire range of sex toys, lingerie and accessories.
STARTING NOVEMBER 5
- Emma Sleep: Get up to 60 per cent off and save up to $2,787 until November 18.
- Miss Amara: Up to 40 per cent off sitewide until November 17.
STARTING NOVEMBER 6
- Oodie: Take up to 50 per cent off sitewide from 10am on November 6.
STARTING NOVEMBER 7
- SumaNurica: 30 per cent off sitewide sale with no code required.
- tbh Skincare: 30 per cent off excluding bundles and the rebound range + a free rebound skin milk on all orders over $80 until December 2.
- Vital+: Take 30-50 per cent off sitewide.
- Dusk: Buy one and get one 50 per cent off storewide on all full price candles and reeds.
- The Memo: Shop exclusive baby bundles and save on cots, prams, car seats, high chairs, baths, formula and more.
STARTING NOVEMBER 8
- Celebrity Cruises: Offering up to $400 off bookings plus up to 75 per cent off second guests in the same stateroom, the sale is the perfect opportunity to lock in a bucket list Euro trip, an exciting adventure around Asia, or to rediscover the beauty of Australia and New Zealand on board Celebrity Edge as she sails her second season in region. Terms and Conditions Apply. Finishes November 19.
- Our Place: Up to 40 per cent off across our assortment of cooking and gathering essentials. Titanium Always Pan Pro is on sale for the first time ever. Sale ends December 4.
- Ovev Wellness: 30 per cent off sitewide with the code BF30. Get a free scalp renewal brush (RRP: $21) on all single orders of the oceanic renewal hair masque and oceanic renewal masque bundles.
STARTING NOVEMBER 11
- MooGoo: Huge 25 per cent off its entire range of skin products.
- People Haircare: 25 per cent off sitewide excluding bundles until December 12.
- Boost Lab: Get 30 per cent off excluding bundles and LED until December 2.
- Nat’v Basics: Get 20-80 per cent off plus a gift with purchase on a $109 spend.
- Dyson: Mammoth sales on vacuums, Supersonic hair dryers and Airstrait hair straighteners.
STARTING NOVEMBER 12
- Naked Sundays: Get 30 per cent off storewide with up to 50 per cent off bundles until December 2.
- Nakey Underwear: Take 20 per cent off storewide until December 2.
- PURAU: Take 50 per cent off for 50 minutes from 5pm AEST and then take 30 per cent off sitewide with free gifts until December 2.
- Sheet Society: 20-50 per cent off everything sitewide.
- Nimble: Up to 60 per cent off. The first 300 shoppers with orders over $200 will receive a ‘Weekend Tote Bag’ worth $59.
- SodaStream: Up to 40 per cent off sitewide (excluding gas) until November 15.
- Endota: Get 20 per cent off until November 16.
STARTING NOVEMBER 13
- Gozney: Elevate your outdoor dining experience this holiday season with a Gozney pizza oven. Save up to 20% off ovens and accessories during the sale until December 3.
- Bangn Body: Take 30 per cent off sitewide and unlock free gifts at cart
- LG Electronics: Up to 60 per cent off discounts on gaming monitors, projectors and laptops until December 4.
- Virgin Voyages: Get 40 per cent off all voyages including Virgin’s newest itineraries with up to $455 in free drinks until December 3.
STARTING NOVEMBER 14
- Boody: Get up to 60 per cent off, perfect for sustainable fashion lovers and under $50 stocking fillers.
- WHO IS ELIJAH: 20-40 per cent off fragrances until December 2.
- SWIISH: 25 per cent off storewide plus a free surprise beauty or wellness gift in every order over $99 with the code OMG25.
- SHEIN: Up to 95 per cent off sitewide until December 3.
- Youswim: Up to 50 per cent off sitewide (excluding new collections).
- Neuw Denim: 30 per cent off almost everything and an extra five per cent with newsletter sign up.
- Alana Maria Jewellery: Get up to 50 per cent off storewide.
- Tosca: Up to 60 per cent off luggage in-store and online.