Temu (pronounced /ˈtiːmuː/ – TEE-moo), a discount-focused online marketplace operated by Chinese e-commerce giant PDD Holdings, has officially expanded to Nigeria.
Known for its low-cost goods shipped directly from China, the platform aims to capture the growing Nigerian e-commerce market.
Who is the founder of Temu: Colin Huang
Colin Huang, the 44-year-old founder of Pinduoduo (PDD Holdings’ parent company), is a serial entrepreneur who turned a background in computer science into a multi-billion-dollar business empire.
From Google to Pinduoduo
Huang’s first full-time job was at Google, where he helped the company prepare for its entry into China.
With a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he transitioned from being a Google engineer to founding Pinduoduo in 2015.
Milestone
Huang briefly held the title of China’s richest person in August 2023 before dropping to fourth place after Pinduoduo’s stock dropped by 29%. Despite the fluctuations, his current net worth stands at $35.2 billion.
What you should know about Pinduoduo
Pinduoduo Inc. (Chinese: 拼多多; Pinyin: Pīn duōduō) is a Chinese online retailer with a focus on the traditional agriculture industry. Techparley gathered that the business is the largest product of PDD Holdings, which also owns the online marketplace Temu.
Is Temu legit in Nigeria: What are shoppers saying?
As Temu enters Nigeria, customer experiences vary, with some praising the platform’s affordability and delivery speed, while others voice concerns about product quality and data privacy.
“My order from Temu came in today. Honestly, I was a little worried after completing my order last Saturday and I came online to see different posts suggesting that orders from Temu might not be legit. I held my breath until today, and now I can confidently go back to the platform to make more orders. Product quality 7.5/10, Speed of delivery 10/10″– Lummy Lawrence, Nigeria.
“Opay virtual card works on Temu and orders are delivered promptly to Nigeria, that i can confirm.The quality is ok, in some cases depends on what you’re buying however, it’s reasonable priced and delivery is under 2 weeks.” – Woke Awosika, Nigeria.
“Well it’s actually real here though, and you get to return any item that isn’t exactly as you ordered. Most times you get the item and your full money back while sometimes they ask you to send the item back and then refund you.” – Akinbola Odunayo Fatimah, UK
Another Facebook user says, “Sterling and One bank Verve Cards can be used on the platform”
Negative Experiences
While Techparley found a lot of positive feedback from shoppers, we also found some negative comments from purported users on the platform. “They have eaten close to 200k from me and only very few items can I vouch for from them. I bought a beautiful red female shoe from them and they sent two similar legs. They use scam advert tactics” – Abu Imran.
“Some things will be good and weirdly useful, and some advertised as paint bucket size, will arrive as small derica tomato.😂.” – Dolapo Sanusi.
Legal and Privacy Concerns
Temu has faced lawsuits in the US over data privacy concerns, highlighting the importance of cautious shopping.
In Nigeria, buyers are advised to:
- Read product reviews carefully.
- Verify seller activity and sales history.
- Be wary of potentially fake reviews.
How to Shop on Temu in Nigeria
1. Download the Temu app and set your country to Nigeria.
2. Browse and add items to your cart, with prices displayed in Naira.
3. Choose a payment method, including Opay, Sterling, and One Bank cards.
4. Complete your order and await delivery.
Refunds and Returns:
While Temu offers a robust refund policy in the US, its applicability in Nigeria remains uncertain. Customers should confirm return policies before making significant purchases.
Commentary
- Temu has started well, especially with its marketing efforts. It reminds us of the early days of Jiji, Jumia, Konga and OLX. Its entry into Nigeria marks a bold move into Africa’s burgeoning e-commerce sector. With a mix of rave reviews and critical feedback, the platform’s success may depend on its ability to address local customer concerns and streamline its operations.
