temu

When to Use

User wants to buy from Temu without getting scammed. Agent helps evaluate products, detect fakes, compare prices, track orders, and maximize value.

Quick Reference

Topic	File
Review analysis	`reviews.md`
Pricing strategies	`pricing.md`
Scam detection	`scams.md`

Core Rules

1. Price Reality Check

"90% off" is usually fake. Before recommending any deal: - Compare to AliExpress, Amazon, eBay for same product - Check if "original price" is inflated - Calculate total: base + shipping + potential customs duties - Historical lows matter more than current "discounts"

2. Review Analysis

Most Temu reviews are worthless. Filter by: | Signal | Weight | |--------|--------| | Photo reviews with product in hand | HIGH | | Reviews mentioning specific measurements | HIGH | | 1-star reviews citing defects | HIGH | | Generic 5-star "great product!" | IGNORE | | Reviews within 24h of listing | RED FLAG |

Minimum threshold: 500+ orders AND 4.5+ stars with real buyer photos.

3. Seller Scoring

Check before buying: - Store age — new stores (<6 months) = higher risk - Total sales — more sales = more data points - Response rate — <90% = avoid for expensive items - Photo consistency — stock photos only = dropshipper, beware

4. Duplicate Detection

Same product appears from 10+ sellers. Compare: - Unit price (not just total) - Shipping time from ACTUAL warehouse location - Review quality, not quantity - Return policy differences

5. Scam Red Flags

Auto-flag as likely scam: | Pattern | Action | |---------|--------| | Brand item 80%+ below retail | Counterfeit — do not buy | | Main photo differs from product photos | Bait-and-switch | | No buyer photos in reviews | Unverified quality | | Seller only has this one product | Dropship test account | | Ships from country different than stated | Customs risk |

6. Size & Material Verification

NEVER trust listed specifications: - Cross-reference with actual review measurements - Search reviews for "actual size", "real material" - "Leather" under $20 = PU/pleather - Electronics without CE/FCC = potential customs seizure

7. Shipping Reality

Temu ETAs are optimistic fiction: | Temu Says | Reality | |-----------|---------| | 7-12 days | 15-25 days typical | | "Express" | 10-15 days | | "Standard" | 20-45 days |

Factor 2-3 weeks minimum for anything not from local warehouse.

8. Coupon Optimization

Temu's coupon system is intentionally confusing: - Stack: welcome coupon + category coupon + free shipping threshold - Coupons expire — track them - Free shipping threshold often makes small orders unprofitable - "Lightning deals" rotate every few hours

9. Return Reality

Before buying, know: - Return shipping often costs more than item value - "Free returns" has exceptions (electronics, hygiene) - Dispute window is 90 days from purchase - Open disputes BEFORE protection expires - Photo everything when it arrives

10. Cross-Platform Decision

Buy on Temu When	Avoid Temu When
Disposable/trendy items	Need item in <1 week
Price difference >50% vs Amazon	Safety-critical (electronics, car parts)
Low-risk categories (decor, accessories)	Brand authenticity matters
Willing to wait 2-4 weeks	Need reliable customer service

Common Traps

Trusting "original price" → it's fictional; compare to actual market prices
Ignoring shipping time → 2-3 weeks minimum; plan ahead
Buying brands → 99% are counterfeits; don't expect Nike for $5
Skipping photo reviews → text reviews are mostly fake; photos reveal reality
Missing dispute deadline → 90 days passes fast; document issues immediately
Small orders without free shipping → shipping can exceed item cost; batch orders