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Temu Dropshipping: Is This App The Future of Selling Online?

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by
Aleksandra -
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Chief of Content Marketing
Aleksandra teaches marketing and management at various levels in High School. She writes about marketing, the economics and logistics of the dropshipping business and ecommerce in general.
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Chief of Content Marketing
17 minutes

Looking for a break from AliExpress but still want affordable prices? Look no further than our comprehensive Temu Review!

Temu is an online marketplace based in Boston, Massachusetts (US), offering a diverse range of products at unbeatable prices. 

As a Chinese-owned company, Temu provides direct shipping from China, ensuring a wide selection of items such as car accessories, clothes, home appliances, outdoor furniture, power tools, and more.

But, Is it Safe and Legit? Let’s find out in-depth info about Temu, and see how it works!

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What Is Temu?

Temu is an online store based in Boston, Massachusetts (US)  that provides a wide range of products at affordable prices. These products are shipped directly from China. 

Moreover, Temu is owned by a Chinese company called PDD Holdings.

💡 Tip: Learn How To Price Dropshipping Products: Definitive Guide For Beginners.

At Temu, you can find various items for purchase, including car accessories, clothes, small appliances for your home, outdoor furniture, power tools, baby clothing, and many other things. 

👉 Check out How to Start a Dropshipping Clothing Business in 2024 [+Suppliers List].

Plus, the prices vary as cheap as $1. And, even the more expensive stuff, you can get at something like $30.

Also, most people compare this marketplace with Wish or Shein. Well, we wouldn’t say that. For instance, Shein specializes in fashion, but Temu offers a diverse range of products. 

👉 Read about Shein Dropshipping: A Step-by-Step Guide to Fashion E-commerce.

So, we would say, it is similar to what you can find on Amazon or AliExpress. 

👉 Read about Is AliExpress Legit And Safe For Buying And Selling?

Now, in our Temu Review, we will give you an answer about its legitimacy. 

Logo

The best

  • Huge product catalog
  • Cheap prices
  • Free Shipping and Free return shipping

The worst

  • Poor customer service
  • Long shipping times
  • Minimum order requirements

Starting from

  • Depends on products you choose; Temu reqires MOQ- $10-20
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Is Temu Legit?

Yes, Temu is a Legit marketplace. It is owned by PDD Holdings, which is a multinational commerce group headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. 

What’s more, since most people link Temu to Pinduoduo, let’s clear this up! PDD Holdings owns Temu and its sister company, Pinduoduo.

Also, Temu is #12 in the eCommerce & Shopping > Marketplace category. Plus, it has over 1.05 Billion visits.👇

Plus, based on Temu review from customers, the company is rated with ⭐ 3.3/5 stars on Trustpilot, with most of the comments with positive reviews.

However, most of the negative reviews talk about poor customer service, in some cases not receiving all the items they ordered. Also, some of the customers claim that product quality can be unpredictable. 

Next on this Temu Review, let’s see if it is safe to use!

Is Temu Safe To Buy from?

When you buy from Temu, you can feel confident that your purchase is completely safe. 

Temu has a special program called the Temu Purchase Protection Program, which is designed to protect buyers in case something goes wrong with their purchase, like receiving damaged items or falling victim to fraud.

Hence, the Temu Purchase Protection Program covers different situations, such as items that don’t match the description given in the listing, items that arrive damaged, or items that get lost during shipping. 

In addition, the program guarantees you full money back if you return your items within 90 days of the purchase.

Here’s how the program works.👇

  • Step 1 – To start the return process, go to the “Your orders” page and select the item(s) you want to return. Then click on the “Return/other help” button.
  • Step 2 – You will need to choose the return method and provide a reason for your return. Once you’ve done that, you can print the return label and send the package back using either USPS or UPS.
  • Step 3 – If your order is eligible for the Temu Purchase Protection Program, you will receive a refund for the item(s) you returned.

In addition to the purchase protection program, Temu also gives you an estimated time for processing and shipping your order. Thus, they provide you with a tracking number. 

Let’s get some more insights into this Temu Review.

How Does Temu Work? 

Shopping on Temu is pretty much like on any other online marketplace. Thus, in this Temu Review, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of buying on Temu. 

So, the first thing you need to do is create an account on Temu. Thus, once you are on their website, click on the “Sign in/Register” button, in the right upper corner. Now, a window will pop up.👇

Thus, you need to enter the needed information and register. Once you do, click on “Continue”.

And, now your shopping journey can start. So, you can search for products from Temu categories, or simply type in the product’s name in the search bar.👇

However, once you find the desired product, click on it, and you will land on the products page. Here you can read the product descriptions, check on shipping times, read customer reviews, etc.👇

Hence, you have everything you need in order to make a buying decision. So, if you decide you want to buy the product, click on “Add-to-cart”.👇

So, once you add the product to your shopping cart, the cart will show up at the right corner. So, you can click on the “Go to cart“ button.👇

In the shopping cart, you need to select the items you want to buy. Also, you can change the quantity. Thus, once you are ready, click on the “Checkout” button.👇

Next, you need to add the address where you want your products to be shipped. Then, click on “ Continue to payment”. 👇

Now, you need to choose your payment method and add the required information. Thus, once you do, you can submit the order.👇

Next, you will get a notification about your order placement, and all you have to do is wait for the order. 

How to Source Products From Temu For Your Dropshipping Store?

Next in this Temu Review, I will discuss the process of sourcing products from Temu.

Step 1 – Find Your Winning Temu Products

So, when it comes to finding the best products for your store, my suggestion is to dive into Temu’s marketplace. I mean, seriously, it’s a goldmine!

First and foremost, explore the rankings of top stores and bestsellers in your chosen niche. Trust me; this is where you’ll uncover some real gems. Thus, go to their Best Sellers category, and choose your niche.

Step 2 – Use Order Numbers When Filtering

Now, here’s a neat trick: use the order numbers as your filter. It’s like a shortcut to success! Sorting by “top sales” lets you spot the items that are already a hit in the market. And let’s be real, investing in products with proven demand is a pretty smart move.

Step 3 – Compare Prices With Major Platforms

Oh, but that’s not all. Do a bit of detective work on the pricing front. Thus, you can check out what big players like Amazon are charging for similar items.

You want to make sure your pricing game is not just competitive but also profitable. And hey, it’s all about maximizing those profits, right?

Step 4 – Check On Supplier’s Rating

Now, supplier ratings – this one’s a bit of a game-changer. Go for manufacturers with stellar ratings and loads of reviews. It’s like having a guarantee for a smooth order fulfillment process. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.

And here’s a pro tip: stick with products shipped from Temu’s U.S.-based warehouses. Fast shipping is the name of the game, especially for keeping your customers happy.

Step 5 – Sample Orders First

Last but not least in this guide on my Temu review, before you go all-in with a bulk order, get yourself a sample. You wouldn’t want to end up with a bunch of defective inventory, right? It’s a bit of extra effort, but it’s totally worth it.

How to Set Up Your Temu Dropshipping Store?

So, if you want to start Temu dropshipping, here’s an easy step-by-step guide on how to do it.

➡ Select an E-commerce Platform & Create Your Storefront

Establishing a compelling initial impression holds significant importance in drawing and retaining customers. Consequently, I recommend crafting a website that boasts user-friendly navigation, an attractive visual layout, and clearly defined menus and categories.

So, opt for an e-commerce platform such as Shopify to establish your digital storefront. This platform enables you to exhibit and sell your products within a polished and branded shop environment.

Personally, I favor Shopify due to its intuitive interface and a diverse range of visually appealing themes tailored for dropshipping stores

Nonetheless, you have a myriad of alternatives to consider when building your store, including options like WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Wix, and more.

Also, during the website design process, effectively present your products by incorporating comprehensive details such as size and material. Utilizing high-quality product photos and videos serves to augment customer comprehension and interest in your offerings.

➡ Include Product Listings

Integrate listings for the products you intend to source from Temu. Create compelling titles, furnish detailed descriptions, and showcase professional images.

For instance, on the Shopify App Store, you have an app Cartfind which can help you easily import products from Temu to your Shopify store.

➡ Establish Competitive Prices

Conduct thorough research on competitor pricing and factor in your costs to determine optimal price points.

Strike a balance between maintaining comfortable profit margins and remaining competitive in terms of pricing.

➡ Advertise Your Store

Leverage social channels such as Facebook and Instagram to promote your store. Initiate paid ad campaigns highlighting your top-performing products and enticing offers to drive initial traffic.

Another impactful approach involves diving into affiliate marketing. Team up with influencers or bloggers within the lingerie sector, furnishing them with an exclusive affiliate code or link to endorse your products among their audience.

Furthermore, harnessing the influence of video content is another avenue to visually exhibit your products, providing insights into their features, advantages, and more.

Additionally, if enhancing your visibility in search engine results is a goal, initiate a blog discussing topics related to your products. This effort aids in elevating your search engine optimization (SEO) efforts.

➡ Complete Order Fulfillment

As orders roll in, acquire the items from Temu and input customer shipping details to facilitate direct order fulfillment. Maintain prompt and responsive communication in case any customer issues arise.

What Is Temu’s Return Policy?

You can return your order to Temu within 90 days of purchasing them, but to qualify for a refund, you must send back the item within 14 days of requesting the return. 

Thus, they even provide free return shipping labels for your first return within the 90-day period. 

However, if you want to return additional items from the same order within the 90-day window, there is a $7.99 shipping fee that will be deducted from your refund.

➡ The Return Process

Here’s how the return process works:

  • Go to your Temu account on Temu.com or the app to request a refund. If you don’t have a Temu account, click on “Save your Order” in your Temu order email to initiate the return.
  • Find the relevant order in “Your Orders” and click the “Return” button.
  • Select the item(s) you want to return and provide a reason for the return. Depending on your reason, you might need to provide additional information about the order. Once you’ve provided the necessary details, click the “Next Step” button to proceed.
  • If you don’t need to physically return your item, your final step is to choose your refund method. You can opt for a refund as a Temu credit balance or have it credited back to your original payment method. Make your selection and click “Submit.”
  • After submitting the request, you’ll receive a return label to attach to your package. The first return for any order within 90 days comes with free return shipping.
  • Print and attach the return label to the outside of your package. Take your package to the nearest Evri or Yodel Direct location to mail it, and you’re all set!
  • Lastly, you can check the status of your refund on your order details page or through Temu’s SMS/Email/Push notifications.

➡ The Refund Policy

Once Temu receives your return package, they process refunds within 3 working days. The refund amount will be applied to your account and may take 7 to 30 business days to appear, depending on your payment method. 

Also, credit card payments can take up to 18 business days. But, if you choose “Temu credit balance” as your refund method, you should receive the refund amount within a few minutes.

Let’s get more insights out of this Temu Review!

Does Temu Offer Free Shipping?

Temu provides free standard shipping for orders over $20. 

However, if you’re in a hurry to receive your order, you have the option of selecting Express shipping. For orders above $129.00 USD, Express shipping is free of charge

But, for orders below that amount, there is a fee of $12.90 USD for Express shipping.

How Long Does Temu Shipping Take?

First, the order processing on Temu is within 1-3 days. However, some of the items you purchased might have slower processing times.

Indeed, the shipping time for your order depends on whether you choose standard or express shipping

Thus, Standard shipping usually takes about 7-15 business days. For express shipping, you can find the estimated shipping time on your order confirmation.

Also, in the product details section of each seller’s shop, you will find an estimate of how long it will take for the product to be delivered. 

So, if you want to check the estimated delivery time for each item in your order, simply click on the product page.

Plus, you can also see the percentage of people who bought the same product and received deliveries within different estimated timeframes.

What Payment Methods Does Temu Accept?

You can make purchases on Temu using various payment methods, including Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, American Express, Klarna, Afterpay, and more.

Plus, for international orders, Temu also supports: 

  • Afterpay
  • American Express
  • Apple Pay
  • Cash App Pay
  • Diners Club
  • Google Pay
  • JCB
  • Klarna
  • Maestro Card
  • Mastercard
  • PayPal

How To Cancel A Temu Order?

Canceling a Temu order is a breeze, granted it hasn’t been packed yet. Allow us to walk you through the steps to effortlessly cancel your order:

Step 1 – Access your account and navigate to the top right corner of the screen. Thus, click on your profile button.  From the left menu panel, choose “Your orders” for further navigation.

Step 2 – Amongst your orders listed under “All Orders,” find the specific one you wish to cancel, then select “Cancel Item.”

Step 3 – Follow the on-screen instructions diligently. So, now again select the items you want to cancel, and click on “ Cancel checked items”.

Step 4 – Now, a widow will pop up, asking you why you want to cancel. Once you choose your reason, click on “Next”.

Step 5 – Next, they will ask you, how you want to get a refund. Thus, choose your method, and click “Submit”.

As a testament to your success, an email confirmation of your refund will instantly grace your inbox.

How To Get Free Products From Temu?

It’s simple yet rewarding: by enticing others to join the Temu app, you pave your way to get free items. 

In fact, it is a win-win scenario: the more referrals you generate, the more credit you accumulate, which can be redeemed for fabulous freebies.

Temu’s ingenious referral program has become the driving force behind its rapid expansion. 

Hence, influencers and users alike enthusiastically endorse the app, propelled by the enticing prospect of scoring complimentary treasures. 

Is There A Minimum Order On Temu?

Unfortunately, Temu requires a minimum order amount. Thus, if your order is under the minimum order requirement, let’s say $10, you cannot place it. 

For example, we tried to make an order of $2.27, and we got this pop-up window. Thus, we couldn’t proceed with the checkout process.👇

Plus, according to different users, they all got different Minimum order amounts. For example, some got $10, others $20, while some of them claim that these requirements change, and they even got different amounts in the same month.

Now, let’s check on the Pros & Cons in this Temu Review.

Pros & Cons Of Buying From Temu

PROS
Huge product catalog

Cheap prices

Free Shipping and Free return shipping

CONS
Poor customer service

Long shipping times

Minimum order requirements

✅ Pros

Huge product catalog

Temu has a huge product catalog with millions of products. Plus, you can choose products in various dropshipping niches, like clothing, electronics, home decor, beauty products, and even more.

✅ Cheap prices

The prices are very cheap. Thus, you can even buy stuff for prices under $1. Also, more expensive products here are something around $30. 

✅ Free Shipping and Free return shipping

Temu offers free shipping for orders over $20. However, they often have promotions for free shipping for all orders. 

Plus, there’s free return shipping on your first return for every order within 90 days of purchase.

❌ Cons

Poor customer service

Customers reported poor customer service from Temu. Thus, most of the negative reviews apply to this matter, like not getting an answer at all, putting you on hold, etc. 

❌ Long shipping times 

And, as I already mentioned in this Temu Review, shipping times can be around 7-15 business days, or sometimes even longer. 

❌ Minimum order requirements

Temu requires customers for a $10 order if they want to place an order at all. Hence, this is somehow a limit, which other Temu competitors, like AliExpress, do not have.

Should You Buy From Temu?

Well, this mostly depends on your needs. Thus, if you want to buy goods directly from China suppliers, Temu is a good choice. Plus, if you need general products, you can choose Temu. 

However, if you want to start a dropshipping business, it’s better to consider more reliable brands and marketplaces like AliExpress, Chinabrands, 1688, or Made-in-China. 

However, if you ever want to start dropshipping with Temu, consider their checkout process too long. So, you can consider improving your checkout process since it can increase your cart abandonment.

Unlike them, Temu doesn’t have suppliers who offer extra discounts for buying larger quantities.

👉 Read my comparison of Temu vs AliExpress: Which One Is Better For Dropshipping?

Conclusion 

To sum it all up from my Temu Review!👇

Temu, an online marketplace headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, offers a vast selection of products at highly competitive prices.

While its low pricing and extensive product range are appealing, there are a few downsides to keep in mind. These include subpar customer service, challenges in contacting support, and delayed response times.

On the bright side, Temu offers a Purchase Protection Program, giving buyers peace of mind in case of issues with their orders.

In the end, whether Temu is the right choice depends on your specific needs. If you’re seeking affordable products shipped directly from China, Temu could be a worthwhile option.

However, for those interested in starting a dropshipping business, you might find more reliable options with established platforms like AliExpress, Chinabrands, 1688, or Made-in-China.

But, if you are considering starting a dropshipping business, other more established marketplaces like AliExpress, Chinabrands, 1688, or Made-in-China may offer more reliable options.

About the Author

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Aleksandra Miteva
Aleksandra teaches marketing and management at various levels in High School. She writes about marketing, the economics and logistics of the dropshipping business and ecommerce in general.
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