After spending over $2,000 on Temu purchases in the past year (and writing about it professionally), I've learned every trick in the book. Some lessons came from research, others from expensive mistakes.
This guide consolidates everything I know about maximizing value on Temu. Follow these 25 tips and you'll shop smarter than 99% of users.
🏁 Before You Start Shopping
1 Create a New Account for Maximum Discounts
New users get the best deals – up to 90% off on first orders. If you've never used Temu, make sure to take full advantage of new user coupons before they expire. Check our coupon codes page for the latest offers.
2 Download the App (Better Deals Than Website)
Temu reserves its best prices for app users. The web version often shows higher prices for identical items. Plus, the app has exclusive flash sales and gamification features that earn you additional credits.
3 Enable Notifications (Strategically)
Turn on notifications for price drops on items in your wishlist. Temu will alert you when items go on sale. You can disable other notifications to avoid spam.
4 Join the Referral Program
Invite friends and earn credits. The referral bonuses are substantial – often $10-20 per successful referral. Your friends also get discounts, so everyone wins.
🔍 Finding the Best Products
5 Always Read Reviews WITH Photos
Text reviews can be fake; photo reviews are harder to fabricate. Look for reviews showing the actual product in real-life settings. Pay attention to sizing comparisons, especially for clothing.
6 Check the Review Count, Not Just Stars
A 4.8-star rating with 50,000 reviews is more trustworthy than a 5-star rating with 50 reviews. Look for products with at least 500+ reviews to ensure consistent quality.
7 Look for the "Choice" Badge
Products marked with Temu's "Choice" badge have passed additional quality checks and are recommended by the platform. These tend to have better quality and more reliable sellers.
8 Compare Similar Items from Different Sellers
The same product is often sold by multiple sellers at different prices. Search for similar items and compare prices, reviews, and shipping times before purchasing.
9 Reverse Image Search Suspicious Products
If a deal seems too good to be true, reverse image search the product photo on Google. You can often find the same item on Amazon or other sites to verify what you're actually getting.
💰 Maximizing Savings
10 Stack Multiple Discounts
Temu allows stacking: app-exclusive prices + coupon codes + credits + flash sale prices. Layer everything for maximum savings. One order can easily hit 70-80% off.
11 Play the Daily Games
Yes, the spinning wheel and daily check-ins are gimmicky, but they actually give you usable credits and coupons. Spend 30 seconds daily and accumulate free money.
12 Wait for Flash Sales
Temu runs flash sales multiple times daily. Add items to your cart, then wait for flash sale notifications. The same items often appear in flash sales at 20-40% lower prices.
13 Hit Free Shipping Thresholds
Free shipping usually kicks in around $20. Plan your purchases to hit this threshold rather than paying $3-5 shipping on small orders.
14 Abandon Your Cart (Seriously)
Add items to cart, then close the app for 24-48 hours. Temu often sends "cart abandonment" discounts to entice you back. I've received 10-15% off coupons this way multiple times.
💡 Pro Tip: Track Your Cart Value
I keep items in my cart and check daily. Prices fluctuate, and I only buy when items hit their lowest point. Patience pays off – literally.
📱 Smart Shopping Strategies
15 Order Similar Items Together
Items from the same seller or region often ship together. Ordering multiple items saves on shipping time compared to multiple small orders from different sellers.
16 Use the Size Charts (Every Time)
Temu sizing runs small. Always check the size chart for each specific item – they vary between sellers. Measure yourself and match to the chart, not your usual size.
17 Read Product Descriptions Carefully
Key details hide in descriptions: materials, dimensions, quantities. That "beautiful leather bag" might actually be PU leather. That "10-piece set" might include tiny items to boost the count.
18 Screenshot Everything
Screenshot product listings before ordering. If something arrives different from the description, you'll have evidence for returns or refunds.
19 Order During Off-Peak Times
Shipping is fastest when you order between major shopping holidays. Avoid ordering during Chinese New Year (Jan-Feb), Singles' Day (Nov 11), or Black Friday weekend – warehouses get backlogged.
⚠️ Avoiding Common Mistakes
20 Don't Buy Electronics You Can't Afford to Lose
Budget electronics can fail. Buy cheap earbuds for the gym, not a cheap power bank for critical situations. Assess the risk before purchasing electronics.
21 Be Skeptical of "Original" or "Authentic" Claims
Brand-name items at 90% off are likely counterfeits. This applies to designer clothing, electronics brands, and luxury goods. If it seems too good to be true, it is.
22 Check Country of Origin for Safety Items
For anything safety-related (phone chargers, power banks, anything with batteries), verify specifications and look for quality certifications in reviews.
⚠️ Never Buy on Temu
- Car seats or safety equipment
- Medical devices
- Supplements or medications
- Items for children under 3 (choking hazards)
- Smoke detectors or safety devices
📦 After You Order
23 Track Every Order
Temu provides tracking for all orders. Monitor your packages and note if tracking stops updating for more than 2 weeks – this could indicate a shipping issue.
24 Inspect Items Immediately
Check items as soon as they arrive. Temu's 90-day return window is generous, but you need to report issues promptly. Document any problems with photos.
25 Leave Honest Reviews
Reviews help other shoppers and earn you credits. Be specific about quality, sizing, and shipping time. Include photos for extra credibility and bonus points.
📋 My Personal Shopping Checklist
Before I click "buy," I ask myself:
- Does this have 500+ reviews with photos?
- Did I check the size chart?
- Did I compare prices from different sellers?
- Am I using all available coupons?
- Would I be okay if this item never arrives?
- Is my cart at the free shipping threshold?
If I can answer yes to all six questions, I proceed. If not, I reconsider.
📌 Final Thoughts
Shopping on Temu is an art. The platform offers incredible value, but only if you know how to navigate it. Use these 25 tips, be patient, be strategic, and you'll consistently score amazing deals.
The key is treating Temu like a treasure hunt, not a regular store. Not everything is a gem, but the gems are worth finding.
Happy hunting! 🎯
Related Guides
Current Coupon Codes • Is Temu Safe? • Best Products 2025 • Honest Reviews