I Always Check These 6 Details Before Buying Tech on Temu

Temu isn't everyone's cup of tea, but there's no denying that the tech deals on the platform can be unbeatable. But before you hit "buy," there are six things you need to check to avoid terrible tech, scams, and more.

6 Reviews

The reviews section will tell you a lot about what you can expect from a product. Regardless of the price of a gadget or how similar the specs are to a higher-priced model elsewhere, look at the reviews. If a product has more negative reviews than positive ones, it might be best to be wary and look for other options.

You should also be skeptical if you only see positive reviews. A common scam on Temu is the presence of fake or incentivized reviews. If a product has several glowing, five-star reviews with little to no detail, or you see several repetitive reviews, skip the purchase. You also want to be careful with products with few or no reviews. If you've decided to shop on Temu, it's best to stick to products with a good mix of detailed reviews.

5 "Local" Tag

Temu's tech ships from several countries, which is why shipping times vary widely. Partnering with international sellers allows Temu to offer you competitive prices, so long shipping times aren't exactly a red flag. They do, however, increase the odds of your order getting damaged or lost in transit.

That's why purchasing tech devices with a "Local" tag is best. These products arrive a lot quicker because they are shipped by warehouses within the US. If you're on Temu, you can filter products from local warehouses. Just remember that this tag only applies to the shipping origin. The product might have been manufactured overseas, so be sure to read reviews and inspect the product thoroughly when you receive it.

4 Affordable Pricing (But Don't Opt for the Cheapest Item You See)

Low prices are the reason why a lot of people shop on websites like Temu. So that's something you should check before buying any device on the platform. If local stores or online marketplaces sell the device at the same price as Temu, buy from them instead. You'll likely receive the item quickly, and returning it will be easier, too.

That said, while you want to ensure the price is competitive, don't make the mistake of choosing items with rock-bottom prices. Low prices can sometimes be indicative of poor quality, missing accessories, or a lack of features. So, be sure to do your research and purchase products that are affordable yet well-rated by several buyers.

3 Product Description

I've had mixed shopping experiences on Temu. While some products really surprised me, others fell short of expectations. You can keep the latter from happening to you by paying attention to all aspects of the listing and especially to the product description.

Many sellers on Temu use buzzwords in the title or eye-catching images to get your attention. Going by the images alone or the description in the title will leave you disappointed. So double-check the product description, including all the technical specs, before placing an order. As long as you take the time to read the fine print carefully, you'll have a better chance of getting what you expected.

2 Photos from Customers

Photos uploaded by customers in the reviews section give you a realistic idea of what you'll actually receive in terms of build quality, accessories, and size, to name a few. The best-case scenario is for the seller's photos to closely match the ones shared by customers. This is a great sign because it means you'll likely get the advertised product.

However, if the images shared by customers look vastly different from the ones shared by the seller, you might want to skip the purchase entirely. You can spot discrepancies of this sort when you rely on real images shared by previous buyers.

1 Shipping Costs

Products on Temu can have varied shipping costs. Some items are free to ship, while others cost a few extra dollars. Occasionally, you'll come across products that cost a lot more to ship, especially if you pick the express delivery option.

In such cases, the product's price is not indicative of the total cost, given that you might end up paying more for shipping than the item itself. Rather than buying such an item on Temu, you could just purchase something similar from a local store or online retailer.

It is possible to get scammed on Temu if you don't take the time to do your research and double-check every detail you come across. If you shop smart, though, you might just be surprised by how much value you can get for your money.