The Chinese-based platform based in Dublin is currently launching an offensive on the Austrian and German markets. Some of TEMU's products are incredibly cheap and tempting for many. However, this is made possible primarily by dubious business practices, sometimes defective products and non-compliance with legal requirements.

What does TEMU offer?

TEMU Shopping App and temu.com: Problematic offers from China. Screenshot: Watchlist Internet
TEMU Shopping App and temu.com: Problematic offers from China. Screenshot: Watchlist Internet

Bluetooth headphones that look confusingly similar to Apple's AirPods for less than 4 euros. Practical gadgets and kitchen helpers for less than one euro. Or the latest fashion trends for a fraction of the usual price. This is what the offers on temu.com and in the TEMU shopping app promise. Experience reports show that not everything that glitters is gold. On the contrary: Buyers report some inferior goods that are completely unusable, legal requirements such as the legally required right of withdrawal are not implemented in accordance with the law and safety standards cannot be verified.

Who is behind TEMU?

Whaleco Technology Limited, based in Ireland, is responsible for trading in German-speaking countries. Whaleco Technology Limited has its origins in China on the e-commerce platform Pinduoduo.

Who do you conclude a purchase contract with on TEMU?

When purchasing via TEMU, please note that TEMU only acts as a platform on which providers can offer their goods for sale. A purchase contract is therefore not concluded with TEMU or Whaleco Technology Limited, but rather with the respective provider who offers the product via TEMU. Such a constellation usually makes legal enforcement extremely difficult. In addition, you hardly receive any information about the company with which you are concluding a purchase contract before you make the purchase. The fact that most of these companies are based in China makes the situation even more opaque.

Constant advertising emails and app notifications

Users report a flood of advertising emails shortly after registering with TEMU. There are also constant notifications on your smartphone with new offers. No stone is left unturned to continually encourage users to make further purchases.

Safety standards are not met

Similar to the well-known platforms Wish or Alibaba, electronic products are offered, the purchase of which we can only advise against, regardless of the quality, as the inspection of the products necessary for safe use is not guaranteed. We also advise caution when it comes to clothing and products that come into contact with food, as high levels of harmful substances cannot be ruled out.

Cancellation conditions not met

Consumers within the EU have a 14-day right of withdrawal. What this right of withdrawal should look like, what the wording must be and what exclusions of the right of withdrawal are possible for online shops is strictly regulated and deviations, if at all, are only possible for the benefit of the consumer. These requirements are violated several times at TEMU. For example, the return of “garments freed from packaging” or “items marked as non-returnable” is excluded. Such an exclusion is not legally possible at all and is a reason to refrain from purchasing.

Online shopping as a game of chance

Similar to the clothing platform shein.com or wish.com, shopping at TEMU is often presented on social media platforms as a kind of gambling or gambling experience. During so-called “shopping sprees,” influencers buy a large number of products on platforms such as wish.com, shein.com or TEMU. They then unpack the purchased goods in front of the camera and evaluate what meets expectations and what was not worth the money or immediately ends up in the trash. While these videos can be entertaining, they also normalize the buying and selling of sometimes completely useless goods. The fact that this violates legal regulations is often overlooked or simply accepted.

Conclusion

From our point of view, TEMU is a new provider that follows well-known patterns: through complex social media marketing on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and Co. in combination with incredibly low prices, we want as many people as possible to buy on the platform be animated. Quality, consumer protection and customer satisfaction fall by the wayside - not to mention ethical principles or environmental protection concerns.

Advice & help

For specific advice requests, please contact the relevant offices that we have listed for you Advice & Help

Source:

Watchlist Internet

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