JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: This whole thing starts with an embarrassing fact: I’m addicted to playing Ultimate Jewel. It’s the only game on my phone, which is good, I guess, but once I started playing it during the Democratic candidates forum in my town and I forgot to turn the sound off and my daughters nearly died of shame. So, yes, addicted.
Like most free games, between rounds, I’m served up ads that that take a few seconds to display a ‘close’ button. Mostly, I ignore them, but eventually I started to notice I was seeing the same sort of ad over and over again. I would be served a selection of gimcrack and geegaws reminiscent of the old Lillian Vernon catalogs my grandmother loved. (I just checked! They’re still in business! I guess there’s a market for people who would shop at Alibaba if they only had computers or smartphones.)
These ads were from, as you might guess, Temu. Shop like a billionaire! Assuming billionaires purchase plastic pierced sandals, plastic shoe holders, and plastic travel mugs with cute sayings on them. (You’ll notice the common denominator is plastic.)
Apparently, I was the last person in the US to be aware of Temu, probably because I haven’t watched the Super Bowl in several years. (No men in the house, and I much prefer college ball. Roll Tide!) Apparently, Temu ships 4,000 tons of goods each day - so much they single-handedly revived the air cargo industry post-pandemic. Let’s face it, nobody ever went broke pandering for the deeply-embedded human lust for cheap stuff. Except they might, sort of! They’ve been operating with a $500M to $900M loss since inception; the thing that keeps them propped up is the massively-well-capitalized Chinese e-commerce company PDD Holdings. Analysts suggest they’re willing to go deep into the red for the chance to overtake Amazon.
Are these goodies made with slave/prisoner labor? Are they sustainable? Do the $2.08 AirPod knock-offs really work? Maaaaaybe. With over 80 thousand Chinese manufacturers supplying the goodies, it’s hard to tell. But one thing is sure: that raised planting bed with trellis I’ve had my eye on is thirty bucks cheaper on Temu than on Amazon.
How about you, Reds? Do you Temu?
RHYS BOWEN: Under no circumstances would I ever Temu. This Chinese enterprise is deliberately running at a huge loss to undercut Western merchants, especially Amazon. I try not to buy anything from China. I’ve had a couple of disasters with pieces of clothing that were nothing like the image in the advertisement and couldn’t be returned.
I agree it’s so tempting to see something you know is much more expensive elsewhere but if you’ve helped drive an American merchant out of business how good can that be? Having said that my granddaughter outfitted herself entirely from another Chinese company doing the same thing. She looked fabulous and paid pennies. No wonder young people will be hooked.
HALLIE EPHRON: Julia, you are NOT the last person on the planet to know about TEMU. Count me, too… though their ads pepper my feeds. If it’s shipped from China I’m not interested. And the other day I went to the actual STORE and tried things on! I could see if the dress was too long and whether the fabric felt like plastic. I’m all in on non-virtual shopping.
LUCY BURDETTE: I’m a big NO on Temu and other Chinese companies, for all the reasons Rhys mentioned. When Lottie was a puppy and chewing ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING, I ordered a chew thing I’d seen on Facebook that was supposed to be very tough and also brush the dog’s teeth. She had it completely dismantled within an hour, and natch, there was not a whisker of customer service. That lesson learned, I prefer to support American manufacturers.
JENN McKINLAY: Who? Hooligan 2 had to explain it to me and added that Shein is their clothing specific equivalent. I try really hard not to buy online. I want to keep my local businesses in business so online is for stuff I can’t get at a local shop (like my $12 solar fountain which is awesome) and I try not to buy from Amazon. I use Amazon to find the company that makes what I want and then buy directly from the company because it just feels better even if I don’t get to have the Amazon delivery guy shaking me awake to tell me he’s delivered my stuff - LOL - I exaggerate but only a little.
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: I do buy things on line, but not Temu. Or Shein. I always they're actually trolling for emails and personal information. ut the internet has made me loathe going into to a real store--waiting in LINE, no one to help, driving, parking, ah, so much TIME. So I buy from US stores on line and it's all good. Especially that since the pandemic I realize I already have all the clothes I'll ever need, so there's not much clothes buying going on around here anyway.
DEBORAH CROMBIE: No TEMU here. I vaguely remember seeing the Superbowl ads, but I don't think I realized what it was. I try not to order cheap Chinese stuff, period, and am horrified by the environmental damage "fast fashion" does, much less all the plastic junk. Rick does order small, cheap electronic parts from China, however, because with the closure of Radio Shack, there are not a lot of non-Chinese options.
JULIA: How about you, dear readers? Temu? Or not Temu?
I've seen the Temu ads, but I've also seen reviews addressing quality ["the material in the dress is so thin you can see through it"], so it's easy to ignore them. [And not doing business with a company in China is good for all the reasons already stated.] Like Jenn, I'd prefer to keep the local businesses around . . . .
ReplyDeleteJoan, my sister has ordered some clothing from Temu, with the idea that it's cheap enough so she can afford a few duds if she also gets some good things.
DeleteI have heard of TEMU but have not been tempted to buy anything from them.
ReplyDeleteBut I also do not buy much from Amazon, except for Kindle ebooks.
Sadly, it's pretty difficult to buy "Made in Canada" clothes. But I do I purchase my staple items, such as New Balance running shoes, at the local indie sporting goods stores (Sports4) instead of a big national chain.
FYI, out of curiosity, I checked the labels on the clothes I am wearing.
DeleteThe New Balance shoes are made in Vietnam, the Under Armour summer technical top is made in Jordan, and my Lee's black jeans are made in Mexico.
Still not great, but at least none of them were made in China.
Grace, I suspect Canada's trade agreements are different from ours, too.
DeleteFrom Diana: I had similar experiences with clothes. Made in Vietnam. I think one jacket was made in Slovakia ? Is the Hudson Trading company still in Canada? I remember buying a dress from Hudson many years ago and I still have it. I am sure it was made in Canada. That was in 1986.
DeleteGrace, I do sometimes wonder if clothing manufacturing is going to go all around the world, chasing cheap labor, only to eventually come back to the US and Canada!
DeleteClothing production will never return to the US and Canada. The labor base is not skilled for that industry nor do the countries have the manufacturing infrastructure. Labor costs are too high as well.
DeleteDIANA: Yes, the Hudson's Bay department stores still exist in some Canadian cities, but are barely hanging on, post-pandemic. The flagship stores closed in Toronto, Winnipeg and Edmonton. The Ottawa store is located 5 minutes from my apartment. Frankly, I have not bought anything from them in many years.
DeleteI'd never heard of Temu until this post. And since I try not to buy anything plastic (or in plastic) anyway nor from China, I won't be heading in their direction.
ReplyDeleteLike Jenn and Grace, I might check Amazon for the title of a book and then buy it from my local indy, with Kindle ebooks being the exception. I very much appreciate buying online for all the reasons Hank stated.
Edith, I found a good way to combine the two (supporting local and shopping online) during the pandemic, when even small stores set up websites. Especially for Christmas shopping, I'll browse and order online (or over the phone) and then pick everything up in one swoop.
DeleteTemu is peppered on all my online card games that I play and I ignore them. Read a story that their products are not up to standards and why waste money for things that can't be returned.
ReplyDeleteDru Ann, I think the idea is, they're so cheap you can just toss the items that aren't up to par! *wince*
DeleteI am not even tempted, for all the reasons you have all mentioned.
ReplyDeleteWhile I do buy some things because of prices, I skipped the Walmart craze entirely, which was the beginning of the end of American manufacturing.
I was very late to the Amazon juggernaut but appreciate the once a year charge for shipping and became a believer when goods became scarce. I buy dozens of books every year, most for Kindle or Audible, but also from independent bookstores and Barnes and Noble. I do buy clothes on line and have done so for 40 or more years, but only from specific sellers like LLBean. The one and only thing that China makes that I knowingly buy is silk underwear.
Well, silk is their traditional trade good, Judy!
DeleteThis is the first I've heard of Temu. I have gotten suckered in to buying cheap Chinese clothing online once (it looks so PRETTY in the ad!) and have learned my lesson. Sorry to say, I do buy from Amazon more than I should. I have a Prime membership, so it's so darned easy, as are returns. I'd much rather use my bedroom to try things on than a store's dressing room. But I will take a hard pass on Temu.
ReplyDeleteI hate trying on clothes at the store too Annette. Since I know what size I wear I've just pick out what I like and try it on at home. If I want to return it, it's an easy drive 5 min away.
DeleteI support local businesses because I hate going to the mall.
Annette, my daughters use Amazon quite a bit for the sort of things they'd get at one of the national stores in the area, like Target or Walmart. Make up and skin care, kitty litter and paper towels. For those kinds of goods, Amazon makes perfect sense!
DeleteI don't buy anything from Temu and try to avoid any products from China. Years ago China sold pet foods to America that had toxic ingredients in them.
ReplyDeleteOh, and remember the baby formula scandal, Elizabeth? There was some nasty filler in it - I think it was Chinese consumers who protested that one.
DeleteThe word kept popping up and I had no idea what it meant so I looked it up (at a non-tracking website) and found out it wasn't anything I was interested in. I've pretty much gotten away from Amazon. although I'm not quite sure it is "the Devil" as described in a book I am reading. But they no longer get very much of my business. For that matter, I'm not buying much at all, with the exception of a badly needed new bra!
ReplyDeleteAnd a bra is definitely something you want to try on in person, Judi!
DeleteI am more of a Jenn shopper. I really do not want to see my local businesses shuttered (I live in Western Maine), so while it does take more time to hit my local ACE Hardware (which almost always has what the big box stores have or can order it for me) for most household items, I always feel better about supporting my state and town(s), and “neighbors” who work so hard at keeping our beautiful state vibrant. I have lived in many other states (down South) and California and their larger population allows for more businesses (albeit mostly chain stores and restaurants), but Maine still has Main Street and local businesses that are unique and still have the small-town feel, which is why we came back here to settle. I feel extremely irked when I do buy something from Amazon (if it is an Amazon item), less irked if it is shipping from an independent business, and barely irked if I buy direct from a US company (not in Maine). Of course I get the convenience factor of online shopping, but I am trying to support my towns and not disconnect entirely from the world by staying home all the time. Because I am a homebody, I have to bribe myself to go out and about and such bribe usually involves stopping at our darling, local bakery to pick up one of their amazing Whoopie Pies! It’s a win-win-win! Did I mention that Maine still has a TON of independent bookstores? And they are all very cute and totally worth the drive to shop at. Thankfully Mainers (Mainiacs?) seem to understand the importance of supporting ourselves by shopping local.
ReplyDeleteMainers, Stacia, always Mainers. And yes, we're truly blessed to have such a lively independent bookstore culture spread all across the state.
DeleteI don’t Temu or Amazon. I prefer to support local Canadian companies like my favourite independent book store, McNally Robinson Booksellers in Winnipeg.
ReplyDeleteHello Dorothy! I, too, am a big fan of McNally's.
DeleteI've heard of them, Dorothy, but I can't recall in what context. Is there a literary festival in Winnipeg?
DeleteThis is the first I’ve heard of Temu. I will not be a customer.
ReplyDeleteDebRo
We aim to serve, DebRo!
DeleteJulia, if I wasn’t playing Words with Friends 2 everyday with one of my brothers and one of my SIL, I wouldn’t know what Temu was. I have to endure their ads too often when I play and I won’t click on them and I won’t buy from them. I will continue to play with those persons that I don’t see often enough but I try to skip the ads as much as I can.
ReplyDeleteLike Jenn, I buy locally and only when I really need something. At this stage of my life, I think that I have enough.
My only online purchases online are books for my Kindle, the only way for me to get and enjoy your books.
Danielle
I only wonder if those ads are targeted - ie, Temu thinks I want cutsy travel mugs and lawn gear - or they blast everyone with the same odd assortment of bits and bobs.
DeleteFROM JAY:
ReplyDeleteI've only recently begun seeing ads for Temu, but like pretty much all ads I see online, I ignore them and have no plans to buy from them. While I have used Amazon in the past and still maintain my account, I can't tell you the last time I bought anything from them.
For books, whatever I don't get advance copies of, I either have to wait to get from the library or if I can buy it, I usually get it from the local B&N. Yes, I know I should be buying from local small bookshops and I do when I'm near one, but the B&N is 2 minutes across the street from my job depending on the traffic lights so convenience wins out.
For music, I try to buy from my friend's local shop (Purchase Street Records) when I can. But if he can't get something, I usually try to buy either from the record label direct or from the band's website if possible. Occasionally when a miracle occurs and the B&N actually gets an album I want in on CD, if I have a lot of coupons and reward discounts, I will pick it up from them. But that's happened exactly twice so far.
Clothes - Shirts, I just buy a concert T-shirt when I can get to a show or some random pop culture T-shirt from Wal-mart. Pants/shorts, I usually get something from the Fat Guys catalog I get sent. (AKA the King Size catalog).
Of course, it is probably easier for me to shop than most people here because I have no sense of fashion or the desire to be fashionable. I wear what I like and what I need to avoid felony charges. LOL!
I'm sure all your neighbors are grateful for that, Jay!
DeleteNo TEMU or Shein or any other Chinese company/product for me. Looking at what appeared to be a lovely line of linen clothes the other day (more out of boredom than actual need) and it professed to be an American company. But, if you clicked on an item, nowhere did it state where the item was actually manufactured. So, no, thanks! I try to buy locally or only through online companies which are transparent about where their products are made.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, it's impossible NOT to buy things made in China, no matter who you're ordering it from. A huge percentage of stuff on Amazon is Chinese-made; much of it is drop-shipped directly from overseas. I once waited two weeks for a cheapo cell phone cover, and when it arrived at last the package was covered in Chinese writing. So don't kid yourself that even buying from a good American company like Lowe's or Home Depot, or Macy's means you're getting American-made goods. That stopped happening decades ago. Very few exceptions.
ReplyDeleteDon't believe me? Check your closets, your linens, your appliances for the manufacturers' labels. Your iPhone was at least partially made in China. Even the produce section has Chinese-grown items. Despite having the "garlic capitol of the world" in Gilmore, California, that supermarket garlic they sell for 3/$1 very likely came over on a big container ship from China. Same for the generic labels of apple juice and apple cider. A very good argument for buying local, and for buying in season.
My sister bought a whole bunch of clothes from Temu. Some of them were cute and were dirt, dirt cheap, but they ALL fell apart in the wash, either the first or second time through. They are darn good marketers, I'll give them that.
We allowed this to happen, with our insatiable need for the latest thing, and our drive to pay the least amount possible. Walmart didn't start it, but they sure added elevation to the slippery slope. When Sam Walton was alive their slogan "Made in the USA" was slapped on every possible product. Then after his death and his heirs started going further afield for merchandise, the South and Central American-made goods were labeled "Made in America", which was technically, but not factually true. Then they abandoned that altogether with their low prices, because most of their merchandise now is Chinese-made.
One last comment (tomorrow is the garden tour, and the 11th hour approaches for last-minute yardwork!). Most of the "fast fashion" sold by these sites is made of plastics like polyester. Washing them contributes to the amount of microplastic in our water supply, which is beginning to have monstrous consequences worldwide. Natural fibers cost more, but they last longer, and do not add as much pollution to our poor earth as the synthetics do. I know this is super difficult to avoid; Lycra, along with polyester, has snuck into jeans and other garments that would have once been 100% natural fibers.
DeleteNow I've depressed myself. Sorry.
That is so true Karen. I decided one day to see if shopping at Target I could find products made in the USA. Everything said Made in China. I think one thing was Made in Vietnam. And Target is a huge store. To get anything made in the US you'd have to search on-line then of course it has to be shipped.
DeleteOr have things made locally. Which means having the access to someone who can do that, the money to pay for it, and the patience to wait while it's made. And not owning a lot of things.
DeleteI have no room to talk, though. I used to make almost all my clothes, but that was a good while ago.
I was stunned to find out that most of the goods sold in Ikea are made in China.
DeleteFrom Diana: Believe it or not, when I was traveling in Europe, I saw things for sale made in the USA.
DeleteWait - IKEA stuff is made in China?!? My mind is officially blown.
DeleteJULIA: The IKEA Billy bookcases and solid wood furniture I bought 40 years ago is still in good condition. They used to have a stamp with a Swedish word (which I forget) which touted its high quality. In comparison, the Billy bookcases I bought 5 years ago are much poorer quality pieces. It's easy to see when they are placed beside my original bookcases.
DeleteGarlic capital of the world is Gilroy, California. My garlic definitely comes from Gilroy, as we buy direct from local garlic purveyors.
DeleteThanks for the correction, Anon! Headsmack!!
DeleteLike many, I have barely heard of Temu. I must say all your replies are very heartening! What a thoughtful and concerned group of feisty women! I try not to buy too much on line, although I have to say, Amazon makes it really easy. I'm not much of a shopper, but I don't mind going to the local Kroger's, even though they are basically making us do self-checkout. I try to get books from Powell's, usually by ordering on-line and then picking them up at the store.
ReplyDeleteBefore there even was online shopping, I was a mail order shopper…clothes, gifts, “home decor”. Some of you must remember the process, catalog arrives in mail, look through it, dog ear pages, fill out order form, write check, put in envelope (bound into catalog), wait an eternity, package arrives. Some catalogs just were cheap junk, others good quality. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Same line works for internet ads. Not even tempted by Temu and its ilk. Happy Saturday, Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteSo true, Elisabeth. I used to love, love love the Speigal catalogue back in the 80s and early 90s. I got some great clothing from them, and I'm still using a pair of living room standing lamps I ordered from them 30 years ago.
DeleteShopping is not my thing -- online or in person. I noticed the other day that my jeans are getting a bit frayed at the cuffs: oh horrors! I loathe the thought of having to find a new pair. Books come from my local independent, McNally Robinson (as Dorothy said above), or via Amazon onto my Kindle. Temu has not made its way into my world, nor shall it.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on shopping, Amanda - it's never been a recreational sport for me. I shop when I need something (keeping in mind I always need books!) or for Christmas. I'm happy I've gotten to the stage when all my kids are happy to get a check for their birthdays. Easiest gift ever!
DeleteI always said that “I missed the shopping gene.” I just never have liked how crowded stores feel, how so many other hands have touched these clothes, tried on these shoes. When I used to do brick and mortar, I’d go in, find shoes in the style and color I wanted, and ask the clerk to bring out the size. If the clerk returned with more than one box of shoes, I’d just walk out. Contemporaries were horrified that I only wanted that one pair! Elisabeth
DeleteNever heard of Temu before, but as you can probably surmise, I an not a fashionista. A combination of covid and ageness, means that I buy a lot online. It comes to the door, I can try things on in the comfort of my bedroom, which means I do not have to go into a small cubicle, take off my SHOES, get undressed, try on, take off, get dressed, and try and figure out how to get my shoes back on, and tied. Once again, no seat in cubicle and I have to balance like a flamingo with a fractured leg in Swan Lake – nope not me!
ReplyDeleteI had avoided Amazon, for some reason figuring that their clothes were probably junky, but surprise, surprise some are very nice and good quality. It allows me to waste a day fashion shopping on line, choose a large group of things (check that there is a full return policy!), order and they come to the door. Try on in comfort. Send what I don’t like back. Just a reminder that in order to shop in person involves a 30 min drive to town, go to stores, go through the usual palaver to try on in store or ask to take home to try on, and then to drive it back – Amazon is easier.
Margo, I've heard it argued that having one Amazon driver deliver to, say, fifty houses in the course of the day, is far more green than fifty people driving their own cars around shopping. That does, actually, make sense to me.
DeleteNope, nope. Like the rest of you, I am the recipient of their pop-up ads, but I refuse to push the download the app button. We don't have a lot of brick and mortar stores where I live so I do shop online, but I try to be careful with my supplier choices. Like Jenn, I look at Amazon to discover the company and move on from there. I am willing pay more for items marked made in USA. Just my $0.02. Wait! Inflation $0.05.
ReplyDeleteKait, I LOL'd, as the kids say.
DeleteI don't pay much attention to any ads on my cell phone. I am on my cell phone a lot doing games (well Solitaire mostly) and I ignore them. I do check out items online like I did for a moveable folding shelf to hold garden tools and packaged dirt - then I find out where I can purchase it locally. I found the item I mentioned above at The Container Store near us. And today I did the same thing looking for squeeze bottles (empty but like the ones that hold mustard & catsup) and found out where they are sold at a store near me. It is more time consuming but I can see the items and have it right away.
ReplyDeleteI will pay more but I prefer to shop locally, I get to know the people who work there (we often chat a bit) and it supports the local economy. I've found that if I buy a washing machine from my local appliance dealer I get much better service and it's usually cheaper service.
I think you're right about that, Anon. I bought a refrigerator online - never again! I've gotten some excellent appliances from Best Buy and from the Sears "scratched and dented" store.
DeleteWasn’t there a time when some company put “made in USA” labels in products—And then it came to be discovered that they named a city in China “Usa” for that very deceptive reason? Did that turn out to be true?
ReplyDeleteI checked this one on Snopes, Hank: no. The rumor arose because there's a city named Usa in the Ōita Prefecture, Japan - and you recall when the phrase "made in Japan" meant, well, stuff like Temu sells. My kids didn't believe me when I told them that. For their whole lives, "Made in Japan" has meant cool and excellent quality.
DeleteYikes, that's terrible. Could that be false advertising? LOL. Anyway, a lot of US companies will purchase parts from China and assemble them at their store and say it's made in America.
ReplyDeleteI suspect there are some very detailed regulations about how much can be imported, and what qualifies as "Made in America," Anon. And companies are good at staying just inside the line.
DeleteFrom Diana: Wow! I must be the last person here to learn of Temu because I never heard of it, though I’m aware of Amazon. Speaking of Chinese stuff, I ordered a little tool that tracks your metabolism and I got a special deal, which is cheaper than the usual price. To my surprise, it shipped from Hong Kong!
ReplyDeleteNot a fan of these “ads” that pop up when I am trying to read an article online. Very annoying and exasperating! For this reason, I limit my online time. I am thankful that I can read Jungle Red Wriers blog without ads popping up!
Ads popping up was how I ended up I having to bring my laptop to the Apple Store because Facebook had an ad pop up and I accidentally clicked on it. I had to make a special trip to the Apple Store to fix my laptop because I thought it was hacked! Now I have safety measures in place and no problem now.
Only online businesses I order from are from bookshop dot org which supports independent bookstores and my favorite retail shop. I want to support my local businesses so I shop locally in person whenever I can. I am willing to pay more to support American workers.
Julia, perhaps there can be a post about local small businesses that managed to survive the pandemic? Here in California, I see a few that managed to survive the pandemic.
That would be an interesting idea, Diana. Here in Maine, lots of businesses made it through the pandemic, but have folded since then. The pandemic + online shopping + inflation has made it hard for small retailers out there.
DeleteDiana, A lot of local businesses here in our small community in San Diego, particularly restaurants, had hard times during he pandemic but all are now thriving and in fact probably doing even better than before. All of our locally owned restaurants that we support have doubled their prices and some even more, so we don't eat out as often. I can't think of one of our fav local businesses - bookstores, local hardware store, coffee shops, restaurants, music store, etc that has closed down. Opps, there was one pizza restaurant that had been around probably 30 + years but his rent increased and he shut down - but I think there were other probably personal reasons.
ReplyDeleteThat's cheering news, Anon!
DeleteNo TEMU, not much online shopping, unless it’s Bookshop.org and I designate one of my local bookstores, LLBean, Land’s End, David Austin roses. Sizes vary from brand to brand so I prefer to try on before buying. Putting it on the rack by the dressing room door is so much easier than returning by mail. My two favourite places to shop are local bookstores and put local hardware store.
ReplyDeleteSuzette, I LOVE my local hardware store. I'm not a handy person, and there's always someone to help me, even if I'm buying a fifty-cent bolt.
DeleteYea! I received my Jungle Reds email once again.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I just say no to Temu and I try to keep away from Amazon too. Luckily, my Nook Color of 12 years keeps on ticking so even my ebooks do not come from Amazon.
It is difficult to find made in the USA products. My living room furniture is and I proudly leave the hang tags stating that on it.
I think better quality furniture is still made in the US, Brenda - I know the annual trade fair in North Carolina is still very much a going concern. It makes sense - inexpensive flat-pack furniture is a lot cheaper to ship across the Pacific than a solid wood-framed sofa.
DeleteSo nice to see how many of us try to shop local and from "real" people. And like many of you, I'm more focused on getting rid of things, anyway, rather than acquiring.
ReplyDeleteAmen to that, Hallie!
DeleteNo. No Temu here. I've seen their prices and have wondered how they make a profit. Now I know. They don't! I do shop online because our town is a bit limited and I don't want to drive an hour to the nearest city. If I can't buy it here, it's online or do without.
ReplyDeleteThat's the old fashioned way, Pat! Remember the "ad" for Ralph's Pretty Good Groceries in Lake Woebegone? "If we don't have it, you probably don't really need it."
DeleteFor anyone curious about TEMU's business model, here's an article in NY Magazine: https://nymag.com/strategist/article/what-is-temu-legit-safe.html
ReplyDeleteThat's one of the links in this piece!
DeleteAmazon is becoming so difficult to shop from, Anon. Between sponsored items (that aren't shown as sponsored) and a search function that returns all sorts of things you don't want included, it's lost a great deal of it's former utility.
ReplyDeleteCheck the labels on your Land's End and LL Bean clothing. I bet most of them say "made in China" or elsewhere. A couple years ago I looked through racks and racks of stuff at the now closed Bean store here. Nothing was made in the States. At one point their Bean Boots, the ones with the rubber foot and the waterproof leather upper, were still made here, and still had a lifetime warranty. I still have a pair from 1982 continue to keep my feet warm and dry, and do not look like they're 42 years old.
ReplyDeleteI don't Temu and rarely buy from Amazon (not a fan of Bezos). I have made a conscious effort to not buy recreationally - if I need it, I do buy it and if I "want" something, I put it on a list and try to wait at least 3 months to see if I really want it. I try to keep to the "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" mantra and shop Goodwill or garage sales for things I want. If that fails, I try to shop hyper-local first - craft fairs and farmers markets, Mom & Pop indie stores - then Texas owned (HEB!!!!), then US companies. It's really hard to not get items made overseas even when shopping locally. My daughter is a costumer designer for theatre and buys frequently from Amazon - try to locally source - in Texas, in June - a lumberjack hat for a play.
ReplyDeleteI do shop at Temu, but cautiously. I will not use their app, and pay through PayPal. I get a lot of small items like stickers, greeting cards, and things for my cats. I get garden flags, items for gifts and seasonal decor. So far I have had few problems and they have refunded the money on items with problems. Most of their clothing is polyester which I cannot wear. I read the reviews and compare prices with Amazon and other online sellers. They are not always the cheapest. In a perfect world I would not shop there but it is convenient and does save me money. I also shop at Amazon and Walmart. I would never buy anything that costs more than $20 on Temu. No furniture or electrical items.
ReplyDeleteEver since I read about the evils of Temu I ironically feel like I’m virtuously “shopping local” when I buy from Amazon :/
ReplyDeleteI don't TEMU either, but have seen them through FB feeds.
ReplyDeleteI was, however, very pleasantly surprised to see that you are a Crimson Tide Fan, as I write this from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. I have read all the Clare and Russ books, and like so many others, anxiously await the next. Roll Tide!
I foolishly ordered a dress from “Nordstrom Rack” from an online ad. It took forever to get here and it was pretty crap. It was not from Nordstrom’s; it was from a Chinese company. That taught me. I stick with companies I know. I’m sorry so much is made in other countries but I try to avoid Made in China if I can.
ReplyDeleteI won’t shop at Temu or Shein. I don’t even shop at Wal-Mart. The convenience of shopping online is hard to pass up. I try to avoid Amazon as much as possible but sometimes I just have to.
-Marianne in Maine
No Temu here but I’m pretty sure I keep Amazon in business between my Kindle e book purchases and sudden whims. Like the tension curtain rods I just ordered because I had to take the curtains down for the window washers and remembered how hard these twist to fit ones are for me.
ReplyDeleteHowever all our groceries come from a locally owned magnificent store, Wegmans of course.
And yesterday we had new glass block windows installed in our basement by the local guy. Last month we had the basement painted by another local guy. And today we had all the windows washed inside and out including storms by another local guy. Tomorrow a local guy will mow and edge. Next week a local plumber will be here to install the bidet seat I bought from Amazon. I estimate we’ve put $$$$$$ into the local economy this year. If any of these guys bought stuff from China, so be it.
I’d just as soon order Pears soap and CeraVe from Amazon as go to Walgreens for it.
When I look at the numbers, most of our money is going to local businesses, not the least of which is our CSA. First box of veggies comes later this month, and that will continue thru October, real food with real dirt still on it!
At least the LL Bean clothing I have bought has been well made so they must provide some sort of quality control.
ReplyDeleteThere have been programs that have dealt with this issue. https://madeintheusamatters.com/
For a number of years, on ABC, David Muir has been periodically featuring companies located in this country who make their products here.
There was a controversy a while back about the US buying government issue items that were made elsewhere including the clothing made for the Olympic athletes and possibly military uniforms. There may have been a law passed requiring anything of that nature be made here.
One of the things that I find concerning is the number of prescription drugs that are imported.
If we have any sort of world issues preventing these drugs from getting into the country we could have a real problem given the control needed to produce them and the lack of facilities able to provide sufficient quantities of many of the heavily used medicines.
That would be a resounding NO! Although I find Amazon convenient (especially during snowy New England winters), I will not by cheap Chinese junk.
ReplyDeleteNope, for all the reasons already stated - and because they rip off designs from independent artists.
ReplyDeleteI actually love Temu and have been very impressed with all the products that I purchased. I do love my plastic, stacked, lime green and white shoes. They're incredibly lightweight and really cute. Mostly I bought shirts. Sizing isn't quite as specific as it is in pants. Last year my husband and son gave me birthday money and I had trouble spending it all on Temu, but I had a blast trying. Judy
ReplyDeleteI despise the Communist Chinese Party (the CCP). Temu is part of the CCP and uses slave labor. I hate seeing their ads and constantly have to tell Youtube and Microsoft to stop showing me their ads but that does not work. USA made products were so much more superior than these CCP companies. the CCP controls most of the products around the World and are now buying AG land throughout the World to control the food chain. Thanks to Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders that the CCP has been ordered to divest its Arkansas land. More states must follow suit to preserve our homegrown agriculture. Wake up People, the CCP are part of the New World Order control. Is this what you want for future generations to come? Communism?
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