When the term "enshittification" was coined back in 2022, it was an attempt to communicate a developing phenomenon: the slow decay of online services like Facebook and Google. The manner in which free services slowly become burdened with money-making additions that are completely anti-consumer.
But Temu might be the best example of an online service that was born "enshittified". It was never good. It was terrible from day one.
And that's why, this year, we're giving Temu a Shonky Award.
What's shonky about Temu? You'd probably have an easier time listing what isn't shonky about Temu.
Items can take an incredibly long time to arrive, and the customer service leaves much to be desired. Often it can be incredibly difficult to get refunds
On a basic consumer level, there are issues. Purchased items can take an incredibly long time to arrive, and the customer service leaves much to be desired. Often it can be incredibly difficult to get refunds.
"Many CHOICE readers have been satisfied with the products they've received, but there are plenty of reports of consumers receiving poor-quality products or feeling like the item they ordered wasn't exactly what was promised in the ad," says Andy Kelly, CHOICE deputy director of campaigns and communications.
Then there's the shopping experience itself, which is predatory to say the least, relying on gamified gambling mechanisms along with timers to create a sense of urgency.
But, on a macro level, Temu's issues are more significant.
Fast fashion
Take fast fashion for example. Temu is considered one of the biggest drivers of fast fashion. As a business that sells poorly made clothing at cheap prices, Temu is absolutely fostering a culture where consumers buy and dispose of products at a rapid rate, leading to high volumes of polyester-based clothing ending up in landfill.
And why are these products so cheap?
There are multiple reasons, including scale of purchasing power and direct connections to overseas factories.
Temu is absolutely fostering a culture where consumers buy and dispose of products at a rapid rate
But there have been allegations that some products have been made using forced labour. Temu has repeatedly denied these allegations.
Regardless, low wages almost certainly contribute to the prices at Temu, prices designed to gain market share and make it difficult for smaller businesses to sell better quality, longer lasting products.
Safety first
But perhaps the biggest issue with Temu is safety.
In late 2024, we anonymously bought 15 coin and button battery-operated products from Temu – products such as children's watches and electronic toys. Each and every one failed at least one safety requirement under the Australian button battery regulations. Regulations that are designed to protect children's lives.
Temu has since removed the offending items from the store, and it's now difficult to find any button battery-operated devices on the online platform.
Our button battery testing wasn't the only Temu safety issue making headline news
In recent CHOICE testing we bought a musical birthday card from Temu (they're typically powered by button batteries), but no safety issues were found. We'd managed to find a musical birthday card that didn't play any music. It may have been a joke, but when it comes to Temu, the joke just might be on Australian consumers.
Temu sold glow-in-the-dark hoodies that were lacking a fire warning label, as required under the Australian Consumer Law.
And our button battery testing wasn't the only Temu safety issue making headline news. In July 2024, eight-year-old Daniella Jacobs-Herd was sitting by a firepit at her home in Queensland when a few sparks landed on her glow-in-the-dark hoodie from Temu. The garment went up in flames instantly, and Daniella was left with burns on 13% of her body.
In the aftermath, the consumer regulator ACCC discovered the hoodie in question wasn't compliant with mandatory Australian safety standards, as it had no fire warning label of any kind. Four months later, after consulting with the ACCC, Temu recalled the hoodie, but the damage had already been done.
"A gap in the law means that online marketplaces like Temu can get away with selling unsafe products to Australia," says CHOICE's Andy Kelly.
While some online marketplaces have signed up to the voluntary Product Safety Pledge to do more to protect consumers, Temu has not
And while some online marketplaces have signed up to the voluntary Product Safety Pledge to do more to protect consumers, Temu has not.
"That's why we're calling on the government to introduce strong product safety laws that make it illegal for all businesses to sell unsafe products, including online marketplaces," says Kelly.
We're on your side
For more than 60 years, we've been making a difference for Australian consumers. In that time, we've never taken ads or sponsorship.
With no self-interest behind our advice, you don't just buy smarter, you get the answers that you need.
You know without hesitation what's safe for you and your family. Our recent sunscreens test showed how just important it is to keep business claims in check.
And you'll never be alone when something goes wrong or a business treats you unfairly.
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