Temu’s basically where you go when you want Amazon-type stuff but way cheaper — straight from China, no middleman, no Bezos tax. They’ve blown up fast with people who love a good deal, and honestly, if you play it right, you can save a ridiculous amount. Whether you’re after gadgets, clothes, home stuff, or just random junk you didn’t know you needed, Temu’s got it — and there are a bunch of little tricks to save even more. Here’s how to really stretch your dollars on your next shopping binge.

1. Take Advantage of Flash Sales

Temu’s always running flash sales — basically quick-hit deals where you can grab some solid stuff way cheaper, but you gotta move fast.

– Set Alerts: If you’re serious about it, turn on notifications in the Temu app or on their site so you don’t miss when the deals drop.

– Stay Updated: It also doesn’t hurt to follow them on social too — sometimes they post flash sale updates there before the app even pings you.

– Be Quick: And seriously, don’t sit there thinking about it — the good stuff goes fast. If you see it and want it, just snag it.

See Also: Temu Return Policy: It’s WAY Different…But We Figure It Out

PRO TIP: TEMU NOT GOOD FOR BULKY ITEMS

Be aware that buying larger, bulky items, at Temu is often NOT going to land you the best deal.

This is because of the shipping costs that Temu is going to indirectly pass along to the shopper since everything is coming directly from China.

So when buying things like large electronics, furniture, comforter sets, and some sporting goods, be sure to price compare U.S. retailers as their pricing could very well beat Temu’s.

2. Utilize Discount Codes and Coupons

If you’re shopping on Temu and not using discount codes, you’re basically just leaving money on the table.

They’re always throwing out coupons — stuff like 10% off, free shipping, all that good stuff — you just gotta know where to look.

– Sign Up for Emails: Subscribe to Temu’s newsletter and you’ll get a bunch of promos, but buried in there are legit discount codes.

– Check Coupon Websites: Hit up sites like RetailMeNot and Coupons.com — they usually have a few floating around.

– Follow Influencers: And don’t forget about influencers — tons of them drop special Temu codes if you’re following the right ones. Bottom line: never pay full price. Ever.

PRO TIP: BEWARE OF TEMU PHOTOS

The product photos on Temu can be VERY deceiving, especially with their clothing.

A photo may look like a specific fabric but turn out to be completely different when you receive it.

TIP: Always read the reviews and look at the photos in the reviews as they are much more accurate.

3. Join the Temu Rewards Program

When you sign up for a Temu account, you’re automatically in their rewards program — no extra work needed.

– Earn Points: Basically, you rack up points every time you buy something, leave a review, or rope a friend into signing up.

– Redeem Points: Later, you can cash those points in at checkout to knock a few bucks off your total.

– Exclusive Offers: Plus, they throw some exclusive deals and early sale access your way if you’re in the program, which, let’s be real, you might as well take advantage of if you’re already shopping there.

See Also: Temu vs. Amazon Haul – Which Provides the Most Savings

4. Shop During Major Sales Events

– Black Friday and Cyber Monday: Temu goes all out during the big sales — like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, all the major shopping holidays. If you’re patient and can wait for one of those, you’ll score way bigger discounts than just grabbing stuff on a random Tuesday.

– Seasonal Sales: They also do a bunch of seasonal clearances — end-of-summer, post-holiday, that kinda thing — basically dumping old inventory for cheap to make room for new junk.

– Holiday Promotions: And around holidays like Christmas, New Year’s, even the Fourth of July, they usually roll out extra promos and crazy markdowns.
Bottom line: if you can hold out a little, you’ll save a lot more.

PRO TIP: TEMU SIZING IS WIERD

Be aware that according to a couple friends that shop regularly on Temu for women’s clothing that Temu sizes run very small.

They told me that a good rule of thumb on women’s clothing is to consider Temu clothing to be two sizes smaller than U.S. sizes.

So if you’re typically a size 4 you’ll want to order a size 6 on Temu. They also said the quality is comparable to Old Navy on most items.

5. Use Price Comparison Tools

Before you hit “buy” on Temu, do yourself a favor and double-check the price somewhere else.

Use a price comparison app or just a quick Google search — sometimes you’ll find it cheaper on Amazon, Walmart, wherever.

– Compare Prices: Websites like PriceGrabber and Shopzilla allow you to compare prices on Temu with other online stores.

– Browser Extensions: Install browser extensions like Honey or Rakuten, which automatically apply the best coupons and compare prices for you.

6. Follow Temu on Social Media

Following Temu on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

They provide you with exclusive deals, flash sales announcements, and giveaways.

– Exclusive Deals: Social media followers often get access to exclusive discounts and promotions.

– Real-Time Updates: Stay updated with the latest sales events, new product launches, and special offers.

– Giveaways: Participate in social media contests and giveaways for a chance to win free products or gift cards.

7. Check the Clearance Section

Temu has a clearance section packed with dirt-cheap stuff — usually overstock or stuff they’re trying to clear out for new inventory.

If you’re serious about saving, hit that section often, because the good deals don’t stick around long.

– Regular Check-Ins: If you’re serious about saving, hit that section often, because the good deals don’t stick around long.

– Filter Options: Use the filters to sort by category, price, or how big the discount is — otherwise you’ll be scrolling through 9,000 random phone cases and dog sweaters. Clearance is kinda hit or miss, but when you hit, it’s good.

PRO TIP: SHOE SIZING IS STRANGE TOO

My resident Temu shopping experts also told me that sizing is ALL OVER THE PLACE when ordering shoes.

They recommend looking at the size charts (especially the foot length section) before you buy shoes and to know your European size as they often do NOT list the U.S. shoe size.

8. Leverage Free Shipping Offers

Shipping can sneak up on you if you’re not paying attention, but Temu throws out free shipping deals pretty often.

– Minimum Purchase Amount: Sometimes you gotta hit a minimum — like spend a certain amount and boom, shipping’s free — so if you’re close, it’s worth tossing another cheap item in your cart.

– Promo Codes: Other times you can score a free shipping promo code floating around online if you dig a little.

– Subscription Services: And if you’re really shopping there a lot, they’ve got a membership you can subscribe to that usually covers shipping for you. Bottom line: don’t ever just blindly pay for shipping without checking first — it’s almost always avoidable..

9. Use Cashback Websites

Cashback websites give you a percentage of your purchase back in cash when you shop through their links.

– Sign Up for Cashback Sites: Join sites like Rakuten (flat 2% cashback), Swagbucks (up to 30% cashback), or TopCashback (up to 35% cashback) to earn money back on your Temu purchases.

– Browser Extensions: Install the cashback site’s browser extension to ensure you never miss an opportunity to earn cashback.

10. Take Advantage of Bundle Deals

Temu loves tossing out bundle deals where you can snag a bunch of stuff for way cheaper than buying it one at a time.

– Buy in Sets: Sometimes it’s obvious — like sets of kitchen gadgets or five-packs of socks — and sometimes it’s sneaky combos, like buying a phone and getting a deal on the case and screen protector too.

– Discounted Combos: Always check if there’s a bundle option before you hit “buy” — you’ll usually save a few bucks without even trying. It’s one of those easy wins that’s stupid to skip.

PRO TIP: SCORE FREE STUFF

When trying to return something to Temu that you paid less than $8 for, you stand a good chance of them telling you TO KEEP IT.

Surprisingly (or not) they’ll do this when the cost of return shipping to China outweighs the cost of the product. Amazon has become notorious for doing this as well recently.

11. Refer Friends and Earn Rewards

Temu’s got a referral program going where you can basically get free points just for getting your friends and family to sign up and buy something.

– Share Your Link: Send your referral link to friends and family. When they make a purchase, you earn rewards points.

– Earn Discounts: Use the rewards points you earn to get discounts on your future purchases. The more people you rope in, the cheaper your next shopping spree gets.

12. Use the Temu App

The Temu app often features app-exclusive deals and offers that aren’t available on the website.

– App-Only Discounts: Install the app to access special discounts and promotions only available to app users.

– Push Notifications: Enable push notifications to receive instant alerts about sales and exclusive offers.

13. Monitor Product Reviews and Ratings

Before you buy anything on Temu, seriously — check the reviews. Some stuff’s a total steal, and some stuff’s… well, let’s just say it looks better in the pictures.

– Customer Feedback: Read what other people are saying — if everyone’s complaining it broke in a week, save your money.

– Top-Rated Products: And if you’re stuck deciding, just stick to the top-rated stuff — way less chance you end up with junk you regret.

PRO TIP: COUPON “WHEEL” IS A SCAM

When shopping on the Temu app, you’ll often be greeted by a Spin The Wheel game that promises you amazing coupon savings up to $200.

If you win, this does NOT mean you’ll get a $200 coupon good for a future purchase.

It instead means you’ll gain access to $200 worth of various coupons, many of which are only good for products you have ZERO interest in buying.

14. Wait for Restocks

If something you want on Temu’s sold out, don’t freak out — sometimes waiting for a restock actually gets you a better deal.

– Stock Alerts: Jump on the app or site and set up a in-stock alert so you’ll get a heads-up when it’s back.

– Discounts on Restock: And keep your eyes open — a lot of times when stuff comes back in, they’ll slap on a discount to get people to jump on it fast.
Little patience can seriously save you some cash.

15. Take Advantage of Student Discounts

If you’re a student, don’t sleep on the extra discounts Temu throws your way.

– Verify Student Status: All you gotta do is verify you’re actually a student — sites like UNiDAYS or Student Beans make it super easy. Once you’re verified, you’ll get access to special deals that regular shoppers don’t see.

– Student Deals: Basically, if you’re broke and living on ramen, Temu’s got your back for cheap clothes, gadgets, whatever you need to fake being a functional adult.

Ask the Reader: How do you save even more money when shopping at Temu? Let me know in the comments, thanks.

By Kyle James

Kyle James( Owner/Founder )

I started Rather-Be-Shopping.com in 2000 and have become a consumer expert and advocate writing about out-of-the-box ways to save at stores like Amazon, Walmart, Target and Costco to name a few. I’ve been featured on FOX News, Good Morning America, and the NY Times talking about my savings tips. (Learn more)