Surge in Temu complaints: Turkish users report customs delays and quality issues

Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

ISTANBUL, TURKEY — The global e-commerce platform Temu, which gained rapid popularity in Turkey with its aggressive marketing and low prices, is now facing a severe backlash from consumers. Complaint platforms have been inundated with thousands of reports citing products stuck in customs, refund difficulties, and technical glitches in promotional games.

While the platform has accumulated nearly 10,000 formal complaints, the recent shift to a "local warehouse" model and logistical bottlenecks appear to be the primary drivers of customer dissatisfaction.

Customs gridlock and missing items

One of the most frequent complaints involves orders getting stuck at customs for extended periods. A user named Özcan reported that a fan he ordered has been held up at customs for a week with no progress updates, stating that he has neither received the product nor a refund, and is unable to reach customer service.

Similarly, delivery reliability has come under fire. User Kevser noted that her order was marked as "delivered" in the system on January 23, yet she never received the package, highlighting a disconnect between the tracking system and actual logistics.

"Local Warehouse" quality controversy

Temu's transition to using local warehouses in Turkey has triggered a debate over product quality. Customers argue that items shipped from local stocks are inferior to those previously sent from abroad. User Yasemin expressed her frustration, stating that since the switch to the local warehouse system, the products are of significantly lower quality and appearance compared to international shipments, describing the new inventory as "bad and ordinary".

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Another user, Hilal, complained that the app restricts international shopping by forcing users to buy from the local warehouse, thereby limiting consumer choice and blocking access to overseas products.

Glitches in promotional games

Temu's gamified promotions, such as "Farmland," which promise free gifts, are also a source of grievance. Users who have spent months playing these games report sudden technical errors just as they approach the finish line. User Oğuz, who has played Farmland for a year, reported that his rewards suddenly turned into inaccessible "packages" just as he was about to complete the game, preventing him from claiming his prizes.

Refund struggles

Financial transactions and refunds remain a critical pain point. User Yeliz reported that after canceling a clothing order, the refund was credited to her Temu balance instead of her bank card, despite her request for a direct monetary refund. Other users, like Bayram, claimed that approved refunds have not been reflected on their credit cards even weeks after the promised date.

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