Status: 12.10.2023, 19:18 PM
By: Maximilian Hertel
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The Temu app is in use all over the world. However, the shop has been met with sharp criticism. © IMAGO/RetoxClear
"Shop like a billionaire". With this slogan, Temu is trying to gain a foothold in the EU. But the low prices raise questions about the seriousness of the low-cost shop.
Bremen – As if by storm, the shopping site Temu from China has taken the charts of the app stores. Especially on social media, the provider advertises with supposedly irresistible offers. Heavily discounted items such as electronics for less than one euro, men's shoes for just over ten euros or household items at a low price.
The consumer advice center NRW urgently warns against the cheap competition from Amazon and Co. The product, which seems cheap at first glance, can become expensive in retrospect – and that is if it ends up at customs instead of in the customer's mailbox. Most recently, the consumer advice center advised against an Edeka campaign, which turned out to be a shopping trap.
Cheap shop from China – consumer advice centre warns of hidden costs at Temu
Unbeatably cheap online shops are not uncommon. Recently, low-cost providers such as Wish or AliExpress have repeatedly attracted attention with questionable low prices. However, as with the above-mentioned competition, Temu does not sell the goods itself, but only offers them. The actual goods come from third-party manufacturers in the background. Often, high customs fees can be incurred.
However, this is not the only reason why the cheap products can quickly become a cost trap for consumers. The consumer protection NRW advises caution, as in addition to possible additional costs, one's own data could also be at risk. All possible dangers at a glance:
- Since the goods come from traders outside the EU, the applicable customs regulations for importation should be observed. In addition, long delivery times must be expected.
- The ordered products should not be paid in advance. The consumer advice centre advises payment only after the goods have been delivered.
- Before buying, you should pay close attention to the authenticity of the product reviews.
- In the case of electronic devices, make sure that the product bears the CE mark.
- When using the Temu app, it is essential to check your privacy settings. Temu is particularly interested in the data of its users, so location services should be switched off and access to the camera and microphone should be denied.
Temu does offer free delivery, but orders from the cheap store can still be expensive
Temu mainly advertises the aspect of free delivery. Since the platform mostly sources third-party goods from the Far East, it can cause difficulties and unwanted costs when importing into Europe. According to the NRW Consumer Advice Centre, the provider itself is in many cases exempt from EU customs duties. Accordingly, a customs duty is only payable if the value of the goods exceeds the price of EUR 150.
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In the case of such an order, there is the possibility that Temu will use a simple scam: the products will be shipped in individual packages with a value below the customs border. However, if the customs authorities notice the trick during importation, the customer will pay for it - according to media lawyer Christian Solmecke in a video on YouTube. According to the General Directorate of Customs, an import VAT of seven to 150 percent can also be levied on supposedly tax-free shipments of goods of less than 19 euros, which must also be paid by the recipient.
Cheap products on Temu – "Manipulation at its finest"
The products per se also often leave a lot to be desired. This is shown by a test purchase from the WDR magazine "Servicezeit". Some products have been damaged during transport and electronic products are missing the CE mark – a confirmation from the manufacturer that the product complies with the applicable EU directives.
If the products offered by the online retailer Temu come from the Far East, this can be expensive for the customer, despite free delivery and low product prices, warns the consumer advice center. © Nikos Pekiaridis/Imago
The test result is increasingly supported by test portals on the Internet. In addition to conspicuously frequent 5-star reviews that "coincidentally" contain a coupon code for discounts, more and more critical voices are being raised. For example, Trustpilot'sreview website talks about "rip-offs", "low-quality goods", "China scrap" and "manipulation at its finest".
Caution should also be exercised with counterfeit products. These are not only of low quality, but can also lead to infringements of copyright law for customers when ordered in large quantities, which has legal consequences and, in the worst case, can be very expensive.
Temu customers feel abandoned – "Absolutely bad customer service"
In case of delivery problems, damaged goods or payment problems, good customer service usually helps, which does not seem to be the case with Temu according to the reviews on trustpilot.com. Again and again, customers complain about the lack of German language skills, misunderstood problems or poor accessibility.
Since Temu itself does not sell any products, but only markets third-party goods, it is particularly difficult for buyers to assert their claims against the manufacturers. Many customers feel left alone with their problems. If you are looking for low prices, you should not always rely on the self-proclaimed low-cost providers. Often, six tips are enough to find the cheapest offer on the Internet.