Rebecca Garland
Rebecca Garland
Consumer Rights and Advocacy Expert

If you’re looking to spend less to get more, chances are you’ve come across Shein and Temu: two of the most talked-about online retailers offering low-cost fashion and everyday items. Both brands are China-based and have exploded in popularity across the United States, fueling a fierce rivalry. 

Temu vs Shein

The two companies are responsible for almost one-third of all packages arriving in the United States each year, so it’s understandable that the competition between the two is especially fierce. Although the question “Is Temu safe?” is common, the store earned many loyal customers. 

Temu Logo Shein logo
Number of Temu reviews – 52K Number of Shein reviews – 44.8K
Temu rating* – 2.9 ⭐⭐⭐ Shein rating* – 4.3 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Claimed losses – $2.2M Claimed losses – $6.7M
Successful calls – 17% / 160K Successful calls – 9% / 170K
Resolved issues – 573 Resolved issues – 681

The low prices and sheer volume of goods on both sites is appealing, but are they the right choice for customers looking for how to shop wisely? We dug deeper into customer experiences to see how both stores operate and which retailer is the best.

Key Insights

  • Examining the ratio of negative to positive reviews for Temu vs Shein, the latter has a higher percentage of negative feedback, accounting for 63%, while Temu has 39%.
  • Temu and Shein offer diverse product selections across various categories. Despite aiming for quality, customer experiences vary, with some describing the items as "cheap," "poor material," and "less than standard quality."
  • When comparing Temu vs Shein shipping and delivery, both are based in China and items are shipped from overseas, leading to extended delivery times in most cases. 

What Are Temu and Shein Pros and Cons?

Temu and Shein are both China-based online retailers that have surged in popularity among U.S. shoppers. In fact, Temu is the most popular shopping app downloaded in 2024 followed by Shein in second place. Shein focuses heavily on fast fashion with thousands of new items added to the site every week. Temu offers more than 200 different categories of items ranging from clothing to household items and just about everything in between.

Both Shein and Temu offer customers:

  • An extremely large assortment of fast fashion and other retail items.
  • Heavily discounted prices.
  • Special coupons or offers like additional discounts or free shipping.

However, user experiences highlight both advantages and frustrations. Particularly around shipping, customer support, and product consistency.

In one of the customer complaints the reviewer shared their frustration with a delayed delivery and explained:

My parcel hasnt arrived yet! Its almost 3 weeks!!! Its still in transit i dont understand why is it taking so long!

Customers have shared similar experiences through their Temu reviews as well. One customer complained that Temu uses “a shipping company that does not delivery packages and even loses packages!!” This customer “waited 6 hours outside in a wheelchair” for their package that never arrived despite a completed delivery notification. This review was updated later, however, and stated that:

Company fixed the issue and I have been provided with settlement agreement. 

Shein and Temu both are companies with pros and cons according to their customers.

  Temu Shein
Pros
  • Cheap
  • Great prices
  • Variety of choices
  • Good items
  • Cheap
  • Good prices
  • Affordable
  • Vast assortment
Cons
  • Poor customer service
  • Shipping and delivery issues
  • Problems with item quality
  • Poor customer service
  • Shipping and delivery issues
  • Errors with return amounts

What Is Temu vs Shein Customer Service Experience?

When comparing Temu vs Shein on customer service, both brands show similarities, but the differences in contact options and support responsiveness stand out to consumers.

According to PissedConsumer user feedback:

  • 43% of Temu users say they would recommend the company to a friend.
  • 50% of Shein customers say they might use the service again for similar purchases.

Temu’s support system primarily relies on a self-service help center made up of frequently asked questions. Many reviewers note the lack of direct support channels.

One customer noted in their review about Temu customer service that 

You can only email them once a day, so if you need to relay additional information, you cannot email them again until the next day.

The reviewer found this limitation “extremely annoying and time consuming.”

Some users have reported success using the Temu customer service number: (888) 495-8368, available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST, although this number isn’t prominently displayed on the website.

Shein uses a chat-based AI bot to handle most customer inquiries. The company also offers:

  • A searchable FAQ section
  • A log of past support tickets (available after logging in)

However, no public Shein customer service number is available, which has led to confusion and delays for many users.

One customer noted how frustrating it is to find answers on the website in her video review about the company. They placed a Shein order and were charged incorrectly for shipping and were unable to resolve the issue. The lack of contact information leads to many customer’s frustrations as shared through their reviews on PissedConsumer.com.

Temu vs Shein: Product Range and Quality

The discussion about Temu vs Shein isn’t just about customer service and shipping. There are also many questions about the product quality on these websites since both platforms offer deals that seem too good to be true. 

Does Temu have good quality?

Temu product quality varies widely, according to consumer reviews on PissedConsumer.com. Some users report receiving “cheap” or damaged items, while others describe their orders as “very good quality.” Overall, Temu offers low prices, but shoppers should expect inconsistent quality.

One Temu customer ordered dressmaking scissors only to discover that the scissors are “very poor quality” and would not cut fabric. The pins she ordered were rusty, and this was not due to the packaging: 

They appear to be wrapped ok, but they were definately rusty when I tried to put them into fabric the pin actually bent.

The reviewer also noted that she is “usually very pleased with products” but was “so disappointed” this time.

Is Shein good quality?

Shein reviews also have a lot to say about the quality of the items sent by the company. According to reviews, Shein quality is “different from those in pictures.” The items apparently “look cheap” or have “poor material.” Some customers received damaged items or items that look as if they were worn by someone before being delivered to their home. 

One Shein customer noted that her daughter ordered a backpack and “on the second day of school the strap broke.” She recommends that others “do not order” from the site. As the item was used, it will not qualify for a return in the Shein return policy. 

What Are Temu vs Shein Shipping and Delivery Policies?

Both Temu and Shein provide estimates for standard shipping, but consumer reviews reveal a different story when it comes to timing and delivery reliability.

  • Temu states that standard shipping takes 6 to 14 business days.
  • Shein shipping varies by warehouse but generally takes up to 10 business days.

Because both companies ship from China, actual delivery times may exceed estimates. Consumers often report unexpected delays, particularly during high-volume periods.

The frustration about issues with shipping is shared in various Shein and Temu reviews. For example, shipping challenges are frequently discussed in Shein complaints. Many reviewers note that there are frequent items missing in Shein deliveries. In a video review a consumer asked Shein customer service for answers when she only received one out of eight items she ordered. The TikTok community chimed in with similar experiences in the video comments. 

Another Shein reviewer discovered that two wedding rings she ordered were missing from her package. Despite this, she had positive things to say about Shein quality. She noted that she had never had issues with her orders:

this is the first time I hope they solve my problem soon. I recommend you buy from them they are reliable.

Shein is not alone in complaints about shipping and delivery. Consumers also raise questions about Temu quality when it comes to sending orders. One of the Temu customer complained about “missing two pairs of joggers”:

I have been waiting four days for a email back from you as to when theyre coming, or if youre just going to refund the amount of the two pairs of joggers to my cash app

Still, they also noted that they are an “avid Temu purchaser” and had not “had any problems thus far in my products or receiving my shipments.” 

What Are Temu vs Shein Return Policies?

With frequent concerns about delivery and product quality, return policies are a major deciding factor for online shoppers. Both Temu and Shein offer return windows and cover return shipping for first-time returns, but how these policies play out in real-world scenarios varies widely.

Shein allows most items to be returned within 35 days of purchase, and the first return for each order is free.Shein return policy

However, several reviewers on PissedConsumer.com report difficulties with the return process. One frustrated Shein customer ordered “about $1,500” worth of merchandise and shared that they were unable to get help resolving their return issue due to lack of live support. 

The Temu return policy offers customers more time to make returns than Shein. This might give them a bit of an edge in the Temu vs. Shein comparison. Temu allows customers to return most items within 90 days of the purchase date. Like Shein, the cost of the first return from every order is covered by the company. 

Yet some high-volume buyers report complications. In one widely shared review, a customer described ordering five large shipments totaling over $1,000. When the orders arrived. Then, when items arrived they were “packaged like untrained monkeys,” leading to otherwise excellent products being smashed or ripped. She then discovered that 

TEMU makes it near impossible to get a refund for items that dont show up - damaged and not as advertised.

Despite speaking to employees when she called the Temu contact number, she has not been able to resolve the issue and claims her experience is “a true nightmare.” 

Temu vs Shein: What’s the Best Option?

Choosing between Temu and Shein comes down to what matters most to you: product variety, pricing, shipping reliability, or customer support.

According to reviews on PissedConsumer.com, shoppers have reported both pros and cons with each platform:

  • Shein has more user reviews overall, but also a higher volume of negative feedback, particularly around missing items and return complications.
  • Temu, while not free from complaints, tends to receive more consistent praise for quality and issue resolution, even in reviews that started negatively.

Some Shein users say they still trust the platform despite delivery hiccups. Meanwhile, Temu customers often describe themselves as repeat buyers, even after reporting missing or damaged items.

Based on review sentiment, contact accessibility, and complaint resolution trends, more consumers seem to favor Temu at this time. That said, both companies continue to evolve, and user experiences may vary depending on the type of product ordered.

*Disclaimer: Ranking and statistics are based on our users’ review texts and PissedConsumer posters’ reviews. Also, a company’s rating is calculated using a mathematical algorithm that evaluates the information in the profile, including users’ rating, the number of resolved issues, the number of company’s responses, etc. The algorithm is subject to change in the future.

Legal disclaimers:

  1. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide any legal, medical, accounting, investment or any other professional advice as individual cases may vary and should be discussed with a corresponding expert and/or an attorney.
  2. All or some image copyright belongs to the original owner(s). No copyright infringement intended.

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