I Think Temu Scammed Me

chicken8 on 11/09/2023 - 14:54
Last edited 14/09/2023 - 13:19 by 1 other user

I recently bought a set of 4 Tesla wheel covers off Temu for about $250

I received a package within a week but for only 1 wheel cover. I raised a case with Temu and they state that the item was shipped and received. I said the issue is that you shipped 1 whereas the item was a set of 4

They said they have a video of the warehouse packing it but can’t send the video to me for privacy reasons. I asked if the video shows them packing 1 or 4 covers and they said they can’t release that information.

Since then they’ve gone quiet even though I’ve updated the case numerous times asking for it to be escalated.

Anyone been in this situation with Temu and have any ideas?

They don’t have a phone number. They said I can do a return but I’m going to assume they’ll reject my return since I’m only sending 1 instead of 4 pieces.

Update 1: not much to report. Provided Temu the weight, package size, photos and nothing is happening. They’ve told me it’s been escalated to a supervisor but they have too many cases to review so there’s no ETA on when I’d get a reply.

Update 2: 7 days on and Temu has agreed to give me a full refund, but states that it may take up to 30 days to process. Set you calendars boys and girls!

Final update:
Refund has been received. I've gone and cancelled Temu and Afterpay accounts as well. Hope this was a fun thread for everyone!

Automotive Tesla Inc

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Comments

        • Brick50 on 11/09/2023 - 18:12
          +8

          Why comment on something you have no idea about, they do actually increase range

          • c64 on 11/09/2023 - 18:14
            +5

            @Brick50: so does taking a dump before you get in the car …

            • Brick50 on 11/09/2023 - 19:49

              @c64: Not by 2-4%

              • CocaKoala on 12/09/2023 - 16:40
                +3

                @Brick50:

                @mtg: Not by 2-4%

                Depends on what kind of logs you dropped.

          • Brick Tamland on 11/09/2023 - 20:56

            @Brick50: Without the hubcaps it would reduce unsprung mass and improve performance

        • eciuj on 12/09/2023 - 11:55
          +3

          People have done tests with the hubcaps and without the hubcaps under the same driving conditions and they are proven to improve efficiency by a few percent.

      • BillyG687 on 14/09/2023 - 11:52

        I hope you know that buying a generic design off of Temu doesn't mean you'll get the same aero benefits are the OEM designs? $240 seems like a lot to spend on plastic in the hope to get some extra range.

        • chicken8 on 14/09/2023 - 13:14

          I've had these on my previous model Y and they're great. Purely for aesthetic reasons and not related to range at all. The 1 that was sent to me is of great quality as well.

  • deme on 11/09/2023 - 17:47

    I recently bought a set of 4 Tesla wheel covers off Temu for about $250
    I bought using Afterpay and they don’t allow charge back claims.

    gg OP thanks for the laughs

  • brendanm on 11/09/2023 - 18:14
    +17

    I think you scammed yourself by buying plastic wheel covers for a car that has alloy wheels.

    Also, why do people insist on using things like afterpay to pay for things they likely will need buyer protection for?

    • Gervais fanboy on 11/09/2023 - 23:35
      +2

      It’s safe to say that the op didn’t know how bad Afterpay’s post-purchase support was going to be but then again, I didn’t either.
      Lucky I never got into the trap of ever using these deferred payment payment platforms, credit cards etc

    • Smol Cat on 12/09/2023 - 12:46

      Seriously what terrible taste. I just can't comprehend it. Maybe it's the same people who keep the gross plastic bags on remote controls. Just use the damn thing.

  • Cave Fire on 11/09/2023 - 19:01
    +1

    Yeah just a guess, they have listed this item but when it came to posting to Oz, the postage was over what they expected. So they just sent one. With Aliexpress, you have to confirm receipt before funds are release (eg, escrow). Have only had one non/late delivery since about 2014 or so. Low chance, but also possible someone nicked them on this side.

    • reactor-au on 12/09/2023 - 08:08

      That's only available for some orders, and is even then still optional to use.

      • Cave Fire on 12/09/2023 - 12:17

        Must have it set on then because 90% of my orders had escrow.

  • amiski on 11/09/2023 - 19:08

    Just do a refund. They do free refunds for all first items. Most of the time they just give me free credit and I keep the item.

    • chicken8 on 11/09/2023 - 19:37

      I requested a refund and it was declined. They said I can do a return instead. But my concern is that they’ll reject the return as it only contains 1 wheel cover when the listing states it’s 4

  • bmerigan on 11/09/2023 - 20:07

    What about the recorded weight of the package? Would indicate 1 or 4.

    • MorriJ on 12/09/2023 - 21:34

      Picture in review indicates the australia post package has a weight of 1.17kg?

  • redfox1200 on 11/09/2023 - 20:19

    the TEMU app on the phone is straight up spyware, they just got exposed will probably get delisted soon.

  • Euphemistic on 11/09/2023 - 20:58
    -1

    TEMU is worse than Amazon.

    • Gervais fanboy on 11/09/2023 - 23:32
      +1

      And I thought Amazon was great, terrible for the small businesses but as a service provider, Amazon are the best ever imo.

      • Euphemistic on 12/09/2023 - 05:54
        +1

        Amazon started out with the right idea. Disrupting the market. But they’ve turned into a mega corporation that screws small businesses, screws workers and is built in ripping off IP and killing the opposition.

        • Gervais fanboy on 12/09/2023 - 07:12
          +1

          Yeah, I know I already said it. They are criminals.
          I was just saying that as a selling platform, they are the best when it comes to their perks, delivery efficiency, customer service etc

          • Name on 13/09/2023 - 14:54
            +1

            @Gervais fanboy: Have to agree there. They seem to screw everyone but the end customer. If I need something urgent I order through them first, especially because they also do weekend delivery where I am.

  • DoctorCalculon on 11/09/2023 - 21:06

    Is there reason you decided you use Afterpay instead of PayPal In 4?

    • chicken8 on 11/09/2023 - 21:22
      +1

      I was an Afterpay shareholder and made a fair bit on it. Always felt I owe it to them to at least use their services.

    • Motek Benzona on 12/09/2023 - 08:09
      +2

      Pay in 4 runs random credit checks that appear on your file.. AVOID

      I was using them then one day, all of a sudden, my pay in 4 was declined (1st check by them, 20 year acct) and there was an alert that they had accessed my file.. and it was a full check that stays on. I was well pissed with them, in fact i've stopped using paypal full stop because of this.

  • lost in transit on 12/09/2023 - 06:31

    After reading some of this post why would anyone use Afterpay over Paypal 🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️

  • Name on 12/09/2023 - 08:06
    +1

    Send it back to them!! If they say they only received one repeat this line back to them.

    They said they have a video of the warehouse packing it but can’t send the video to me for privacy reasons. I asked if the video shows them packing 1 or 4 covers and they said they can’t release that information.

    • trapper on 12/09/2023 - 09:39

      Unfortunately though it probably won't help him get his money back or the missing three items.

      I'm sure they will have another 'video' of the package arriving back and surprise only one item was returned!

  • THICKnSLOW on 12/09/2023 - 08:17
    +1

    I ponder the carbon emissions side of this, would OP be better to send this back for a refund, or pay $750 and get the other 3 covers, will Temu send them in one order or 3 and increase the carbon emissions for delivery.

    Tricky one.

  • Jaxy on 12/09/2023 - 08:59

    Lesson learned, never ever buy anything from TEMU.

  • RolandWaites on 12/09/2023 - 09:25
    +4

    TEMU was clearly a cancer on the online sales industry the moment it began appearing in social media feeds.

  • Davo1111 on 12/09/2023 - 09:26

    I don't believe this story

  • trapper on 12/09/2023 - 09:36
    +1

    They said they have a video of the warehouse packing it but can’t send the video to me for privacy reasons. I asked if the video shows them packing 1 or 4 covers and they said they can’t release that information.

    This is just weird. The video (if it exists) can't show possibly four items being packed for your order, because only one was packed. So they lie…

    • mrvaluepack on 12/09/2023 - 13:27

      how about wish lol? where would they sit in the ranking..

      • pformag on 12/09/2023 - 13:44
        +1

        I wouldn't even rank them. I once bought Gillette Fusion razors. They stated to rust after a couple of days. Haha

  • ruddiger7 on 12/09/2023 - 10:25

    Sheen or whatever its called did the same thing to my wife's order. Did a chargeback though but similar experience otherwise. They tried to say that all items were packed when it was shipped but provided no proof. I doubt anyone in the logistics chain was interested in some hair clips..

  • Orgazmo on 12/09/2023 - 10:27

    Lodge AFCA complaint against Afterpay

  • blitz on 12/09/2023 - 10:33
    +4

    OP, is this your review from the store?

    "BUYER BEWARE!
    I purchase the 4 piece set and only 1 was sent to me. I’ve been unable to get this resolved via Temu support either. Refund has been declined and unable to get the remaining 3 sent out to me as Temu says it’s all shipped and received"
    [can't provide a link as OzB blocks the comment]

    • chicken8 on 12/09/2023 - 12:42
      +3

      Yes it is

      • blitz on 12/09/2023 - 13:05
        +2

        I was hoping the same thing might have happened to someone else. The photographs really help - it's pretty easy to see that there's no way, even if they'd videoed it at the dispatch depot, that that package would hold four hubcaps.

        Think I'll stick with Amazon, eBay and Aliexpress for now!

  • shmoney on 12/09/2023 - 10:37
    +1

    Is there a weight on the postage label? If so, weigh the item and if it matches the weight on the label then it'll be obvious that you were only sent one item.

    Did you pay using a credit card through AfterPay? If so, try and use this information to lodge a chargeback using the weight discrepancy.

  • Brianqpr on 12/09/2023 - 11:01
    +4

    Shop like a millionaire!

  • JuliaH on 12/09/2023 - 11:30
    -1

    Not sure if I am repeating same advice here; but for anything that is over 20 AUD we do PayPal. Temu reel you in then pull the plug.. Hopefully they will sink without trace when enough people know their track record. Good luck😊.

  • lint on 12/09/2023 - 11:32
    +3

    OP, just return the damn things and see what happens rather than being paralysed by thinking "but what if they only refund me for one item?"

    Your basic procedure is this:
    - Take all documentary evidence - photos, video, whatever you need for your case. Check what it says on the packing slip.
    - Initiate a refund, send order back. Make sure to document this.
    - If you're lucky, they scan the item into the system when returned and it registers as 4x and you get your full refund.
    - If not, is Afterpay taking money out of your credit card? If so, unlink your card and initiate a chargeback on amounts already taken.
    - Otherwise, find a way to lodge a complaint with Afterpay. If they don't respond in a satisfactory manner, lodge a complaint with the AFCA.
    - Your alternative route would be to lodge a complaint against Temu with Fair Trading and escalate to your state's consumer tribunal if necessary. Or do both that and the complaint against Afterpay.

    Don't worry, chances are somewhere along that process you'll get your money back as long as you stick to your guns. It's just annoying to go through it.

  • berger on 12/09/2023 - 13:03

    Is there anything on Temu that isn’t crap

    • Gervais fanboy on 12/09/2023 - 13:16
      +3

      Piss

      • DGrayson82 on 12/09/2023 - 14:57
        +2

        But sh*t it was 99cents

    • reactor-au on 12/09/2023 - 13:47

      I've limited myself to items under $20; cheap odds and ends that are half the Amazon/eBay drop shipper price or simply not available anywhere else.
      Mostly I use AliExpress though, and there I've purchased up to $600.

      The only item I received that wasn't working correctly was replacement fans for a GPU. Still never had missing items or lost orders .

  • mrvaluepack on 12/09/2023 - 13:26

    I actually found temu's customer service to be ok and quite liberal with refunds.

  • billy72 on 12/09/2023 - 13:39
    +1

    just return it for a refund. They won't even care to check it 1 or 4.

  • eciuj on 12/09/2023 - 15:00

    Just initiate a return and send back the one cover. If they ask why you only sent one just say:

    I have a video of the warehouse packing it but can’t send the video to them for privacy reasons. If they ask if the video shows you packing 1 or 4 covers say you can’t release that information.

  • Binchicken22 on 12/09/2023 - 15:38

    $1000 is an expensive set of hub caps.

    • chicken8 on 12/09/2023 - 18:46

      Chicken on chicken crime

  • andylch on 12/09/2023 - 15:48

    Amazon AU is selling them at $170-240 generally, why bother with Temu?

    • chicken8 on 12/09/2023 - 18:43

      Amazon didn’t have the style I wanted

  • lltravel on 12/09/2023 - 16:04
    +3

    lol… owns a tesla but buys the cheapest thing on temu on afterpay…

    over-leveraged mate.

    • chicken8 on 12/09/2023 - 18:44

      Mentioned this in another reply. I was an Afterpay shareholder and it was a multi bagger for me. I always felt an affinity towards them and have used them regularly the last few years without issue.

      Also I couldn’t find these style of covers anywhere else

      • umoddbro on 12/09/2023 - 21:00
        -3

        I too bagged off z1p but wouldn't touch their service with a ten feet pole… bnpl services are a sham benefitting off financially illiterate people. You may as well just purchase off a credit card? At least you're getting points, cashback, purchase protection.

        • chicken8 on 12/09/2023 - 21:03

          Definitely lesson learnt here. Will be cancelling my Afterpay once everything is paid off and stick to PayPal.

          Pretty sure you still got points though since the CC is paying off the Afterpay

  • The Value on 12/09/2023 - 19:04
    +1

    I can't prove it but my email has been bombarded with spam after signing up with Temu.

  • [Deactivated] on 12/09/2023 - 19:16
    +2

    Please don't buy from that thieving site. Everything they sell can be found elsewhere, usually cheaper, anyway. e.g. Aliexpress, Alibaba, etc. But more importantly, people buy from them and start getting fraudulent bank transactions, spam, robocalls, etc. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=temu+scam

      • [Deactivated] on 14/09/2023 - 05:37

        I have several reasons to avoid them and none for using them until all safer alternatives disappear.

        After seeing the ABC's dishonest gutter journalism over the years regarding anything that contradicts their personal bias, I wouldn't trust the ABC recommendation if my life depended on it. The absence of all negative reports from both articles is highly suss.

        They have all the same items as other sites, but just take more time to present them better, name them correctly, etc and endless ads, ads, ads, is the largest reason for their "success." I saw a few woodwork tools I might be interested in, so I used the Temu titles to search ebay and Aliexpress and found the same items, often cheaper. (I've noticed AE sellers also sell on ebay, sometimes with a slight price increase. And ebay is safer than both AE and Temu.)

        I've heard about a dozen youtubers now, say they were offered free stuff to promote Temu, for reading their script word for word, or if you want to change the wording you have to ok it with them first. Good businesses don't need such a prolific amount of spammy paid promotion. They also don't need to flood Facebook with ads. That is what first alerted me - their spammy Facebook ads (Facebook is a scammers paradise).

        Again, there's the many reports of fraudulent bank charges appearing after giving them CC details. Even if the business itself were fantastic (and there's plenty of signs it isn't), those many reports of fraudulent charges tell me SOMEONE there is worth avoiding. Maybe the company itself is rotten, or maybe it's the low quality staff they employ. But I've read reviews by people who said it was their first time buying anything online and/or first time using a new CC, etc - so they KNEW where the fraudulent charges originated.

        It's certainly not worth it to me. This video covers most of the problems I've heard about: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20_TlrrB3W4

        • bcYield on 14/09/2023 - 15:00

          I've heard about a dozen youtubers now, say they were offered free stuff to promote Temu

          Same as Google, Apple, Samsung, Sony, and more.

          there's the many reports of fraudulent bank charges

          This is very serious. Any reliable sources or news to support the claims?

          This video covers most of the problems I've heard about: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20_TlrrB3W4

          This video is pretty much made by a political YouTuber. This The All TEMU Gaming Setup is a more trustworthy video by Linux Tech Tips.

          Again, if you just search scam + (Amazon or eBay or FB Marketplace or Gumtree), you will find tons. So it is more about buyers' knowledge of buying things online.

          • [Deactivated] on 14/09/2023 - 21:05

            @bcYield: Sites like Marketplace and Gumtree aren't the ones doing fraudulent CC charges. It's either Temu owners or their staff. So the difference is Amazon/ebay/Sony/etc have been in business for years, in the west, fraudulent CC charges don't routinely appear soon after a CC is entered to make a purchase from them, and if they or their employees do steal they have strict recording-keeping like audio recordings and stored livechat conversations - so a thief, or at least a suspect, would eventually be found (if law enforcement can be bothered).

            Temu otoh is new, Chinese, dictated over by the CCP like every Chinese business and individual, therefore outside of and independent to, western law. They comply with refunds, morals, western laws, etc only while they choose to, in order to continue making money - and if they don't, "our" banks will only (for example) pull back CC payments as long as Temu seems to mostly remain a "good actor." But because of these facts, any or all of this could change at any time.

            Would I ever buy anything from them? Maybe, if I can't find that item somewhere else (I looked up 20 items a couple of weeks ago and found every one on other site) and IF they have Paypal (I don't know if they do or not).

            Are there some fake reviews? Almost certainly. All they all fake? Highly unlikely. You can generally tell when a review is real, not just sour grapes or whining due to a mistake outside Temu's control, e.g. not just the postal service losing or damaging a package in transit. But there's more than enough bad experiences recorded online to employ at least some common sense by not entering CC info into OR installing their app due to the security risk aspects, or at the very least use a debit card instead of a CC and transfer only the order total into that when purchasing (so any later unauthorized charges get rejected due to having a $0 balance).

    • [Deactivated] on 14/09/2023 - 05:58

      The more I hear about them, the more they sound like the perfect example of: 能骗就骗 (if you can cheat, then cheat).

      Buying online in a browser is one thing, but anyone who installs their phone app needs to be in the running for a revival of the show "Thrillseeker." The USA/NATO have been frothing at the mouth to start a war with Russia, Russia and China are best mates when it suits them due to being two communist nations against the rest of the western world. And since China is a communist nation, every Chinese business does exactly what the CCP orders them to. i.e. If the dementia patient in the White House gets his way, drags the west into war, our western banks may refund a few fraudulent transactions today… but if China ever decides to direct Temu to hand over it's payment details database - they will do exact as they're told. And no bank is going to wear the cost of of tens of thousands of refunds, should the CCP decide to empty all those bank accounts at 2:00AM. Then of course there's the risk of keyloggers, malware, etc they could inject onto people's phones, to gain access their authy apps, steal crypto, etc. I'll continue to pass thanks.

  • Sebby on 12/09/2023 - 21:19

    The shipping label will have a parcel weight printed on it… at least if they used Australia Post for the last transport leg. Use the parcel weight as evidence of lack of contents in parcel when escalating the claim to Temu.

  • ChickenAdobo on 12/09/2023 - 22:00
    +1

    Thanks OP. I will take this lesson on board. Luckily on aliexpress I used PayPal to charge back the scammer. Won't use Temu for big tickets item.

  • hasher22 on 12/09/2023 - 22:11

    Sorry OP, it sucks, I had a battle with doordash and they wouldn't even to bother to compensate a coupon I used and the food never got delivered……

    Rep: The terms and conditions state…..

    Me: The terms and conditions can also state you can have my first born baby on my first order but it doesn't make it right though……

    OP, I don't know about a solution with this, but next time film yourself opening the package, this is what I do now with all my packages online, it sucks but it's what needed to protect yourself. If I found no faults, I delete the video.

  • digitale on 13/09/2023 - 01:15

    From my own experience, they'll refund you the amount as soon as the return label is scanned at the post office. So they didn't even wait to receive the item first. Others have commented that they were refunded straight away without having to return the item - but that's probably because it's a low value item(s) that'd cost more to ship (free return within 90 days, so postage cost is borne by temu).

  • caixy on 13/09/2023 - 07:17
    +1

    I had a similar experience on a much much smaller scale with them - said they sent something but actually randomly sent me something different. My request for a refund kept getting denied as they kept saying I received the order and they had tracking blah blah blah. I escalated and then chose a different option in their pull down menu to say the item was not per the description and suddenly I got a refund. I don’t think they properly read anything you say to them. Just go off whatever checklist they have.

  • Sidog on 13/09/2023 - 10:10
    +2

    lol… I'm surprised you didn't have to spin a wheel to "win" a refund.

  • daredevilboy on 13/09/2023 - 10:29
    +1

    The damage has already been made and likely this will be a lesson learned for you but what you can try is:

    • Temu usually uses Aus Post for the last leg of the trip - can they provide weight info to support you. Im not convinced Aus Post has smarts to provide a delivery but hey, doesnt cost to try.
    • Lodge a chargeback with your bank and provide comms with Temu and Afterpay how you tried to resolve on both ends.

    Afterpay will ban you and thats a good thing. For future reference:
    - you are not the customer for Afterpay. The merchant is. Refunding you is losing them their finders fee and burns merchants not to use/approve afterpay as a means of payment. They will always side with the merchant (their customer) over you (the product).
    - if its a small thing it likely doesnt cause cash flow issues. You could have afforded to pay 200 bucks on the spot. There was no reason to use Afterpay in this case.
    - when ordering from shady websites - temu, ali, harvey norman:) use either the strategy of protecting yourself via credit card or paypal and recording yourself opening a package or strategy of saying goodbye to your money when you pay and being surprised when the actual item actually arrives :)

  • curtturtle on 13/09/2023 - 11:08

    Raise it with NSW Fair Trade

  • Ryxxi on 13/09/2023 - 11:58

    you can still chargeback with the bank/card you used on afterpay. But do it before the 3 months.

  • Name on 13/09/2023 - 14:57

    May as well just try sending it back anyway. Like if they aren't going to refund and you try the return method and they don't refund, you'd be in the same situation either way - a product you can't use and no refund.

    • blitz on 13/09/2023 - 15:21

      a product you can't use and no refund.

      …and out of pocket the postage costs to send it back

      • Name on 14/09/2023 - 18:45

        :/ good point.

  • Fuego on 13/09/2023 - 15:20

    You need to raise your issue with Afterpay with AFCA, who can override decisions made by financial services.

    OzBargain is quite financially illiterate so you probably won't find much of an answer here.

    • blitz on 13/09/2023 - 15:22

      OzBargain is quite financially illiterate so you probably won't find much of an answer here.

      Nice try, Gerry, but there's a reason you call us 'the professionals".

  • chicken8 on 13/09/2023 - 15:50
    +1

    Day 7 of refund/reship claim with new photos showing weight etc. still nothing further. chased it up with their normal support and they said it's been escalated to supervisors but they have a large backlog to work through and I'll hear from them when it gets to me

    • Zoop on 13/09/2023 - 16:03

      That sucks man.
      I've just gotten into the exact same situation, but with the uberturbine/matte black instead.
      bought 4, they shipped 1 in it's own box.
      My first refund request got rejected after I supplied all the requested pictures.
      I've just raised another refund request through customer support and approved.
      However, like you, I'm afraid they may still reject the refund after receiving the return.

      • chicken8 on 13/09/2023 - 17:08

        Which seller was this buddy? I’m hoping that they’ll straight up refund or re-ship it. The one they did ship is also missing the centre cap

        • Zoop on 13/09/2023 - 17:32

          Not sure if it’s a different seller
          https://share. temu.com/ OZ5AOrBXGQA
          Have to break the link up otherwise OZB thinks it’s referral spam

          • chicken8 on 13/09/2023 - 18:51

            @Zoop: Link doesn’t work

            My seller is Techview car

            • Zoop on 14/09/2023 - 10:54

              @chicken8: Sorry had to break the link apart with spaces, otherwise OZB kills the post because it thinks I'm spamming.
              Try this imgur link instead - just a screenshot of the seller.
              It's WOO Automotive.
              Maybe its a warehousing issue.
              https://imgur.com/a/Z3xQ9VH

    • Fuego on 13/09/2023 - 17:44

      These companies are just trying to scam you. You need to file a complaint with AFCA against Afterpay.

      • chicken8 on 13/09/2023 - 19:12
        +1

        have raised a complaint with AFCA. awaiting a response now. Will let everyone know how it goes

    • [Deactivated] on 14/09/2023 - 06:01

      LOL. It would have taken less or the same amount of time to fix, than it did to reply they'll get to it later.

  • chicken8 on 13/09/2023 - 19:58
    +2

    Temu has just accepted that they've sent less items than stated in the ad and will be issuing a full refund.

    BUT. they state that the refund will take up to 30 days to process.

    strap in and set your calendars and alarm clocks boys and girls!

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