What Is Temu UK? Here’s the Reality of This Chinese Shopping App

If you’re a frequent shopper who loves a good bargain, the chances are that you have surely heard of Temu UK. Launched on April 2023 in the UK, 6 months after its global launch, the app took no time to become one of the best shopping apps in the UK, giving stiff competition to Shein. 

But do you know what made this Chinese shopping app a social media sensation? Well! Word of mouth is probably the biggest reason behind its huge popularity. You may have heard from a friend who bought a smartwatch for £10 or a pair of shoes for £5 from Temu UK. 

With such low prices for every product, it's obvious to wonder - Is Temu legit? Or is it safe to shop from Temu UK? Remember, if it looks too good to be true, it is advisable to be extra cautious. 

If you’re looking to get started with Temu UK, here’s a detailed overview of everything you should know about this Chinese app before shopping from it. This guide will analyze Temu UK in various aspects, covering its safety, legality, product categories, shipping and return policies, reasons behind its low prices, and more. So, come on, let’s get started!

Did You Know?

• The United States leads in terms of Temu app downloads, accounting for more than 40% of the total. 
• The United Kingdom stands as Temu's next biggest market. 
• In terms of monthly gross merchandise volume, Temu reached a milestone of $1 billion in June 2023. 
• As of April 2024, Temu boasted a user base of over 15 million active users in the United Kingdom alone.

What Is Temu UK?

Temu UK is an online megastore featuring literally every product, including electronics, car accessories, kitchen appliances, clothing, outdoor furniture, baby products, power tools, etc. It is, in fact, part of the Temu online marketplace, operated by the Chinese-based company PDD Holdings.

After being launched in the US in 2022, Temu expanded its network to Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, the UK, the Netherlands, Spain and Latin America. As of 2024, the Temu UK app is among the top charts in the App Stores, and it has been downloaded 19 million times. Meanwhile, the active users of Temu UK stand at 15.6 million monthly. 

Considering the massive popularity of Temu UK, we started our research to find out the reasons behind it; we found nothing but one crucial thing. The app’s USP is its incredibly low prices in comparison with other e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Shein, Wish and Zavvi. In fact, when we opened the app and searched for a wireless keyboard, it was only £10, and what’s even more interesting is that fashion accessories are available for under £5. 

So, what’s the secret behind such a low price? Is it because the app sells duplicate products? Or Is it because they have lower-quality products and longer shipping times? Let’s find out more in this detailed Temu UK review. 

Is Temu UK Safe?

There is no definite answer to whether Temu UK is safe for online shopping or not. At the same time, it is a legit website, with the availability of a mobile app. Most of the products available on Temu are real, and it really delivers them. However, it is noteworthy that the products available on the site are not brand-specific. Last year, an HP representative admitted that the company couldn’t verify their products were from ‘authorized resellers.’ 

When we scrolled down the internet, we found some of Temu’s customers complaining about items being slightly different from what they ordered. At the same time, the Temu app collects a lot of data from the user. And what’s more frightening is that its parent company, PDD Holdings, was found accused of sweeping with its data collection. 

As the Temu UK app doesn’t seem safe for online shopping, it is still advisable to exercise caution. And don’t link your bank account or card to any online retailer as it poses a risk of compromised payment information in the event of hacking. 

Does Temu Sells Original and Legit Products?

The majority of products available on the Temu UK app aren’t brand-specific. There are a lot of generic products, with a fair share of fake ones. There isn’t any brand original product available. However, Temu UK claims that it strictly requires its sellers to comply with their policies before listing any product. Despite its extraordinary claims, we didn’t find these policies to be strictly enforced. 

For instance, when you search Vaseline Lip Therapy on the site, you will find little jars of Tsinger lip balms. At first glance, these tiny jars look exactly like Vaseline. 

That’s not all; you will also find flat-out designer bags, such as the Mini Glossy Solid Color Shoulder Bag, which looks exactly like Jacquemus' Le Chiquito Moyen bag. But it is nothing but a poor imitation of the original product. 

Why Is Temu UK So Cheap?

Temu UK claims to have 70% cheaper prices than other online shopping sites. While low prices tempt more users to shop from the app, the question arises—how does the Temu app keep them so cheap?

While Temu claims the low prices of its products are due to its direct-to-consumer business model that eliminates the role of middlemen. But we don’t think so.

After extensive research, we found that Temu sources the majority of its orders directly from manufacturers and producers in China. While the low prices of the products may tempt you but its low quality may distress you in no time. 

How many People Use Temu?

Temu emerged as one of the fastest-growing e-commerce websites in the UK in 2023. Its web and mobile traffic surged by over 8% year-on-year, attracting an average of 15.6 million visits per month, as reported by Business Insider, citing data from Similarweb.

Notably, users spent considerable time on the platform. According to an analysis by Apptopia, the average Temu user spent 18 minutes daily on the app in the second quarter of 2023. This is almost twice the time they spent on Amazon (10 minutes) and more than the time spent on AliExpress and eBay (11 minutes).

What Can You Buy on the Temu UK App?

Temu UK offers a one-stop shop for a variety of products spanning multiple categories, including electronics, fashion, and home goods, all offered at discounted prices.

Electronics and Gadgets

Temu UK offers a wide selection of electronics, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and smartwatches. This category is a hit among those seeking the latest tech gadgets without spending much.

Fashion and Accessories

Temu UK is a fashion hub offering a vast collection of apparel, footwear, bags, and accessories. Whether you're into the latest trends or prefer timeless classics, Temu UK has something to suit every style.

Home and Living

Temu UK is also a destination for home improvement and decor, offering a range of products from kitchen tools and appliances to decorative items. It's the perfect place for those wanting to spruce up their homes without spending a fortune.

Why Is Temu UK Controversial?

When you sign up and browse on e-commerce apps, they gather a variety of data from you. This can include specific details like your geographical location, address, and device ID, as well as your browsing history, payment details, and contacts.

Meanwhile, Temu states in its privacy policy that it doesn't "sell" your data in the traditional sense. However, it does sell your data to profit from sharing your information with partners such as shipping services, marketing firms, and consumer research entities.

Furthermore, Temu "shares" your data with third-party advertisers, marketers, and data analysis companies to personalize ads for you. In its privacy policy, Temu admits that this data transfer could be interpreted as "selling" your data under certain laws.

While it's understandable to be concerned about sharing your data with Temu, it's crucial to note that many apps collect and store your data with minimal restrictions. This is because there isn't a single federal law in the UK that protects user data.

How Long Does Temu Take to Deliver Your Product?

The time Temu UK takes to deliver a product primarily depends on the shipping method chosen and the customer's location.

For local orders, Temu typically provides an estimated delivery time of 3 to 5 days. However, the delivery time for international orders extends to approximately 20 to 30 days. These estimates can vary based on factors such as product availability and courier speed.

Temu offers two main shipping methods: Standard Shipping and Express Shipping. Standard Shipping, which is free on all orders, generally takes between 6 to 22 days. 

On the other hand, Express Shipping, which incurs a cost unless the order exceeds a certain amount, significantly reduces the delivery time to 4 to 11 days.

Does Temu UK Accept Returns?

Upon reviewing Temu's return policy, we found that it offers a 90-day return period from the purchase date, which goes beyond standard consumer rights. After expressing your desire to return an item to Temu, you are given an additional 14 days to dispatch the package.

You can request a product return via your account on the Temu app or website. You'll need to specify the reason for the return and choose your preferred refund method - either Temu credits or a refund to your initial payment method. 

Interestingly, it's been noted that Temu requests the actual return of products. Given the low price points of their products, the expense of handling returns may not be justified.

However, Temu's refund timeline, which ranges from five to 14 business days, does not comply with the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. These regulations mandate that refunds should be processed and reach the customer within a total of 14 days.

So, Should You Shop From Temu UK?

After detailed research for this Temu UK review, we found a mix of opinions - some users were pleased with the service they received from Temu, while others were disappointed with the product quality.

One user commented on the surprisingly good quality of the items, given their low price. However, another user had a different experience, stating that out of eight items ordered, only two were kept due to the rest being of poor quality and appearing cheap.

On Trustpilot, out of over 7,600 reviews, 49% gave five stars, but 31% only gave one star. It's worth noting that many of the five-star reviewers are sharing their Temu discount codes in their reviews, indicating a desire to earn credits from their referrals to Temu.

If your main concern is price over anything, then Temu could be a good fit for you, especially for inexpensive products. However, be cautious about overly positive reviews or endorsements from social media influencers, as they may be financially incentivized to direct you to the app.