With its low prices and visibility, the Temu platform has something to tempt. But the 60 Million Consumers association warns about the quality of its products.
Who has never heard of Temu? Last November, TF1 already reported that the Chinese platform would have conquered more than 900 million followers worldwide. It was first marketed in the United States, then in Australia and Europe. To become famous, the application uses well-established advertising campaignsby soliciting the services of influencers on social networks, or even via a spot which would have cost nearly seven million euros for thirty seconds, during the 2023 Super Bowl in the United States.
But its success raises questions. Last month, the Swiss Toy Association (ASJ) selected eighteen of the most sold children’s items on Temu and Shein, a similar platform. She then noted that fifteen toys would have been banned from importation. Among them, six products were recalled. The association 60 Million consumers also looked into the subject. In a survey published this Friday, December 15, she was particularly interested in the origin and quality of the products sold on what she calls a “gigantic marketplace”. The very low prices of the products, which mainly come from China, affect their quality : thus, a Bluetooth speaker supposed to be waterproof turned out to be unusable after five seconds immersed in water. An impression confirmed by the call for testimonies launched by the consumer association.
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Imitation of luxury products and aggressive sales methods
Other practice: the change – more or less subtle – of the name of the brands of the products sold. Thus, a watch resembling a Rolex is branded “Rolexe”, and Adidas can transform into “Adidasse”. According to Laëtitia Lamari, an e-commerce expert interviewed by our colleagues, this is not counterfeitingbecause “the product design is copied, […] but the brand name is truncated or does not appear. Temu also resorts to aggressive practices, combining fake discounts, countdowns and notifications in large quantities. And if delivery is fast, products may suffer from poor quality packaging. Especially since the platform was also singled out by a report from Grizzly Research last September for its intrusive use of its users’ personal data. So, if its low prices and speed can tempt you, it is better to remain cautious.
Journalist
Passionate about writing, Floréane is interested in a wide variety of subjects. When she is not writing about current affairs, the environment or gender issues, she takes refuge under a blanket…