Temu has spent much money on marketing (remember the Super Bowl ad?), which has worked quite well for them. Now, it’s almost impossible to go through a week without seeing or hearing something about Temu. Ads on social media, influencers showcasing what they bought, and even those claiming to “see if it’s fake” have all taken Temu to the spotlight.
Temu also became the most downloaded shopping app on Android and IOS in 2024—impressive growth since its launch in 2022. But advertising isn’t the only thing that made Temu get so big fast. It’s also backed by a large parent company’s (more on this later) deep pockets. So, it’s no surprise that many are curious about what Temu is and how it works.
This article will answer that question. Keep reading to discover more about this explosive shopping app and how it works.
Table of Contents
The beginning: Where Temu came from
Browsing, buying, and what to expect on Temu
1. Find the item(s) you want to buy
2. Check customer reviews
3. Shipping from China
4. Potential surge of emails
Why are Temu prices so incredibly low?
Rounding up
FAQs
The beginning: Where Temu came from
Although Temu feels like a brand new platform (thanks to its constant but creative marketing), it’s part of a bigger e-commerce system. Temu’s parent company, PDD Holdings, first made a name for itself with Pinduoduo in China, a massive shopping app known for factory-direct deals.
However, in September 2022, PDD holdings went beyond China’s borders by creating Temu for global shoppers—and the timing couldn’t have been better. After the pandemic, people sought cheaper shopping options and were more willing to try new apps.
PDD used its strong ties with Chinese factories and suppliers to fill Temu with low-cost items, from beauty products to electronics. The response was fast because people who’d never heard of Temu started seeing it everywhere, drawn in by its low prices.
Browsing, buying, and what to expect on Temu
Have you used other marketplaces like Aliexpress or Amazon? Then, using Temu won’t be much different. You can access the platform through its website or mobile app, where you’ll see bright banners announcing flash sales, new deals, and mini-games. Here’s the usual browsing and buying process on Temu:
1. Find the item(s) you want to buy
There are many ways to find what you want in Temu. You can scroll through the homepage, click on a banner (like the one for flash sales), or use the search bar. You’ll most likely see incredibly low prices that leave you speechless. Temu banks on these shock-value tags to get you to click “Add to Cart.”
2. Check customer reviews
Now, just because PDD Holdings backs Temu doesn’t mean it’s 100% safe. You must carefully read reviews before adding that bargain to your cart. Like other online platforms, you can find star ratings and written feedback from customers on each product.
3. Shipping from China
After placing your order, your item will most likely ship from China directly (though some products may already be at local warehouses). For this reason. Delivery can take a few weeks or less. The best part is that Temu makes up for this slower shipping with free or heavily discounted rates, so you won’t be upset during the waiting period.
4. Potential surge of emails
You may notice Temu sending you many emails after you sign up for an order. Don’t worry—it’s just the platform’s way of showing fresh offers. Whether Temu’s email campaigns are helpful or subjective, they’re part of why people keep returning for more.
The setup is fairly straightforward, but as you dive deeper, the platform uses various tactics, such as countdown clocks, pop-up deals, and “Spin-to-Win” coupons, to encourage quick purchases.
Why are Temu prices so incredibly low?
Seeing $3 T-shirts or $5 electronics can be surprising if you’re used to traditional store prices. It’s why people stop to think about how Temu can afford to keep their prices so low. They’ll ask questions like: Are the products fake? Or is there a catch? While not every listing is a scam, there are some logical reasons Temu can set prices so low:
- Direct ties to factories: Thanks to PDD Holdings, Temu can source products straight from Chinese factories. Skipping middlemen and wholesalers is one of the big reasons why Temu can slash the final cost.
- Massive volume: When you sell a huge amount of goods, you get a better hand when it comes to bargaining. Temu can negotiate better prices on everything from shipping to materials. It’s the classic “economies of scale” effect.
- The growth at all costs strategy: Many analysts suspect Temu is willing to take losses for a while simply to grab consumer attention. After all, the platform has been attracting new users at a breakneck speed by selling cheaply or subsidizing shipping.
- Shipping loopholes: In some countries, sending individual parcels directly to buyers bypasses certain taxes or fees that larger shipments would incur. That alone can save a surprising amount of money, which Temu can convert into lower prices.
- Minimal branding: Temu sellers don’t need to invest in branding or marketing for each product. Instead, Temu’s overall marketing engine draws people in, so overhead for individual items remains small.
Does this mean every item is a fabulous deal? Not necessarily. Quality can be hit-or-miss, especially in categories with less oversight. But it helps explain how Temu can unleash such relentless waves of low-priced goods onto the market.
Rounding up
Temu’s rise says a lot about our appetite for low-cost deals, flashy marketing, and instant gratification. Backed by PDD Holdings, it leveraged an existing network of Chinese suppliers, injected many ads and app gimmicks, and slashed prices into the marketplace. It’s the perfect goldmine for anyone who likes scoring cheap trinkets or snagging big discounts on everyday items.
Yet, this success hasn’t come without a storm of questions. U.S. legislators and consumer watchdogs have been sounding alarms about forced labor risks, inadequate safety checks, and the possibility of stolen designs. That doesn’t mean everyone’s experience on Temu is negative, though. Many people genuinely enjoy the platform, provided they stay aware of potential pitfalls.
FAQs
1. Is Temu Legit?
Yes! Temu is actually a real marketplace. The owners, PDD Holdings, are the same people behind China’s Pinduoduo app. The platform basically ships millions of packages to consumers every week, and files customs paperwork like any other cross‑border seller.
2. Is it safe to buy from Temu?
Safety is mostly in the shopper’s court. Payments run through Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay, and major cards, so you do get charge‑back protection. Temu also touts a 90‑day Purchase Protection guarantee, which is useful if you’re willing to chase customer service.
3. What is Temu’s business model?
Temu runs an aggressive cross‑border marketplace‑as‑a‑service:
(i) Factory‑to‑consumer (F2C) pricing—goods leave Chinese warehouses in bulk, then the USPS or another last‑mile courier handles domestic delivery.
(ii) Subsidized logistics—PDD reportedly eats part of the shipping bill to keep those jaw‑dropping $2.99 prices.
4. Do Temu really offer free products?
Technically, yes—but think of it like a carnival game: possible, not probable. Temu’s “Free Gifts” and “Credit Boost” events require newcomers to rope in friends, spin wheels, or hit daily login streaks. Some users swear they eventually bagged free sunglasses or a mini drone; many burn hours only to fall short by a few credits.
5. Is the temu 100% off coupon a scam?
“Scam” is harsh; “bait that’s hard to redeem” is fairer. The 100 %‑off promos are typically limited to first‑time customers or require completing an obstacle‑course of referral tasks within a short timer. If you see an ad promising everything in your cart for free, expect stock to disappear or the code to apply only to a handful of tiny SKUs. Independent testers have confirmed some coupons work, but Reddit threads are littered with people who never got the deal to stick.
