Temu

Shop smarter on Temu with price tracking, review analysis, scam detection, and shipping optimization.

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