I Tried $100 Worth of TEMU Stationery ✍️ Worth It?

[@cvvzdesigns]

As someone on welfare, I get those lower cost books for my "creative planning" so I can use the top-notch (A&O) books for the final product. I tend to do interior layouts (not quite design, not quite architecture) for fun, so I'm very interested in the large graph paper books/papers. I'm housebound, so can't get to the dollar store for paper packs and amazon doesn't always have reasonable prices, so Temu's been really useful for me in that way. I'm so glad you finally took the leap, and ended up with mostly good products!

[@markyourpages]

I appreciate you sharing

[@NavyAssassinOnBLAST]

As a federal wire & consumer fraud investigator, I haven't had to report Temu for any frauds. Amazon & Walmart reports: lost count. And I am posting videos of their idiotic private dicks threatening me. If the sites proprietors are affiliated with Epstein & Maxwells Big Tech data harvesters, you know that they're not trustworthy. Especially when our government of stockholders is enabling the racketeering to beef up their own stock portfolios. Just sayin. Don't trust the red scare bs from Epsteins Wall Street cartel of oligarchs, CEOs and stockholders in both major parties & their MSM propaganda spewing talking heads.

[@selbarton]

When you break down the prices, dollar stores cost more per sheet frequently. I have had to breakdown and get a pack of paper from Hobby Lobby, surprised it was well priced, and print my own grid sheets. It is way cheaper than buying preprinted, and I can get more of whatever style I need when needed. I can't begin to pay fo4 A&O journals.

[@swirlyimp]

Your stamps should never stop being "sticky"; If they do, wash them with warm (mild) soapy water and let air dry. Be mindful not to expose the backsides to lint. Also, if you ever run into new stamps that don't give a clear stamped image, stamp first with clear versa mark; Do not wipe clean, and then use your prefered ink. P.S. - Thank you for sharing this, and all you do. I love all your videos Mark, and you brighten this old gal's day.

[@markyourpages]

Thanks for the tips!

[@valeriedoyle]

I have bought a lot of craft supplies from Temu and have been pleasantly surprised by most things. Stamps and stencils have all workded well and willl hold up fine for the amount of use they will get. Wax seal products have also been great although the seals are usually larger than what I was used to. Beads and beading supplies are equivalent to what I get from Amazon. So, happy camper here!

[@markyourpages]

Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@cozycutechaotic]

I’ve really liked most of what I’ve got on Temu. I see the same things on Amazon for triple the price. All the clear stamps I’ve tried have been really nice and I like the washi tape I’ve gotten too.

[@markyourpages]

It's great to hear you have such a positive experience.

[@user-ek6uq7cn1c]

@@cozycutechaotic based and Temu pilled response. Was nice while it lasted, our overlords in the US have determined the gravy train is over and we must pay American middle men and jacked up prices to serve their class interests :( tariffs already starting

[@isabellabihy8631]

This year I've been buying loads of stationery (folders, loose-leaf paper, planner books, fountain pens, stamps and dies, and then some). My experience with the general quality is good. As you said, you get what you pay for. Shopping on Temu certainly kills a lot of time. Like if you try to find out measurements, or the amount of gsm of paper. The search engine also leaves things to be desired, and the most entertaining part, though not always helpful, are the translations of the item descriptions. I shop from a European country. The art supplies on Temu vary widely in quality. In watercolors, there are those with little pigment and lots of fillers, and there is the decent stuff, which is labeled as "artist" or "professional quality". Over all, I'm happy with what I'm getting on Temu.

[@markyourpages]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience

[@andreahomer9434]

The poor-quality craft paper scratch pad is hugely expensive (it converts to £13). The black paper covered notebook is also pricey (just under £7). In the UK, I can get way, way better quality for far less money from any supermarket. I could buy similar priced products that are far higher quality from specialist stationery shops here. For example, I can get Midori notebooks for less than the Temu scrap paper pad. I've never bought from Temu, so your video has been brilliant, Mark. I'm actually surprised by how very poor the paper products are for such a high markup. You have definitely convinced me that I'm not missing out and I don't need to ever shop with them. Thank you so, so much - love your videos.

[@joycehuff9769]

UK has amazing stationery at amazing prices. That is not the case for everyone. I live in Canada and I pay double what Americans do

[@annemontgomery6167]

Coming from Belgium and moving to the USA, i have to say European stationary is much better quality in general. Regular pelikan fountain pens are much cheaper there (a common 25 euro pen goes for 120 here), and the paper in the USA is not meant for fountain pens but for ballpoint pens or pencils, because that's what 99% of the people write with. My students in university all write with pencil, even on exams. I ended up importing Japanese or French paper so I could use it with my fountain pen collection. Don't take it for granted, because I sure miss being able to pick up any type of notebook and knowing my ink won't bleed.

[@joycehuff9769]

@ if you’re in US you can’t get great fountain pen papers at a few places. Jet pens, Atlas both have several. Maybe Goulet pens also

[@andreahomer9434]

​@joycehuff9769 Ouch, Joyce! That's a lot of money. Is it the shipping that adds to the costs? I didn't realise how lucky we are in the UK.

[@joycehuff9769]

@ partly shipping but mostly the poor value of Canadian dollar. Exchange, shipping and duty make ordering from US extremely costly

[@jakiblue_jb]

I actually have that exact same elephant dot grid journal - I got it from Temu a couple of weeks ago! It’s excellent! There’s a couple of other designs - fox, camel etc - and I found them by searching ‘BUKE notepads’ in Temu. I’m in Australia and on a small fixed income (pension) so all these gorgeous high quality journals that I keep seeing on the journaling KZbin videos are far out of my reach - there’ll be no Archer & Olive or Tiefossi for me! Way too expensive (plus the shipping costs!) I paid $13AUS for the elephant buke journal and was absolutely stoked with the quality! 😁 The price varies depending on sales - I think $18 was the highest I saw and $13 around the lowest - so I can highly recommend that one for those of us on budgets.

[@markyourpages]

Thanks so much for sharing with us

[@siliputty]

yes, the "plastic cover" seems to be a writing board to be used between pages. it provides a consistent surface and prevents marks and denting from happening on the next pages.

[@markyourpages]

I hadn't even thought of that - thank you.

[@kittenandgoat]

I have never had an expensive fountain pen - so I can't compare - but I have had several lovely fountain pens from Temu - they write well and fill well - and keep going well. I get a lot of backing papers, fine liners, stamps from there - and they are pretty decent. I have had some amazing paints from them!

[@markyourpages]

Thanks for sharing! Glad you have found something good things on there.

[@Dandelions_Vines]

My issue with businesses like temu and Ali Express is not the products, but the businesses themselves. They aren't very transparent on how they are able to sell quality products at a low price, they don't always have good customer service and they certainly don't really care about the harm that they often cause, both to their customers and to their workers. I understand that sometimes the only way people can afford things is from places like this, but honestly, giving them money adds to the problems they cause

[@markyourpages]

What I’ve learned is that Temu is more of a middle person - where they sell 3rd party products. But I agree with you about the concerns. The lack of transparency can be concerning.

[@TheWiseOne6775]

The one thing that I do buy from Temu is stickers and pens. I have had no issues with any of the things I have ordered from Temu. In fact, the quality surprised me because I truly expected it to be rubbish. I haven't purchased paper from them because I am relatively loyal to Archer and Olive. I did get a scratch pad from Temu that was thin, but I expected that since it was just a scratch pad. As someone who lives on a VERY limited budget thanks to being on a very low Australian Pension I have to make sure to get lower cost items for things like pens. And truthfully the micron pens that I have from Temu are wonderful and equal to the far more expensive micron pens. Maybe one day I can win the lottery and buy only those classy pens, but for now I do what I can with what I can afford. Why are stationary items so bloody expensive? I have a fountain pen that I paid 100 dollars for a decade ago...works just as well as the fountain pen from Temu. I'd much rather pay 5 dollars for something over 100. :)

[@markyourpages]

It sounds like it’s a hit and miss kind of experience. I think the prices stuff has quality to it, but it doesn’t mean it works better or worse than some less expensive ones. I appreciate your feedback and input on the topic.

[@lainiwakura1776]

The stickers are stolen designs from reputable companies, particularly Japanese companies. Your budget also should not mean you support slave labor.

[@marypaulinem6705]

I've purchased travelers notebooks from Temu about a year ago, and when they arrived, they had a horrible petrolium type order. Not wanting to go thru hassle of returning, plus, I really was in love with the design and style, I simply put them in a tray of baking soda for a few days .. I think 4 or 5. Very much improved regarding the odor. The inserts were simple kraft paper, and the odor hadn't set in to them. Overall very pleased. Haven't tried their pens or inks, but have purchased stickers, which were the style of antique birds flowers and such. They were all fine. Also, have purchased a great set of assorted paint brushes. Will have to try the pens next !

[@markyourpages]

Thanks for sharing your experience

[@mizzmeplans]

When I started my dot grid journal journey I was buying ephemera, stickers and stamps from temu. It’s a great place to test out the hobby and see if it’s something you want to pursue without the initial sticker shock. I didn’t have anything to compare it to so I blindly enjoyed it.

[@markyourpages]

That is a great way to try out the hobby without committing.

[@Nyffs_]

It's been months since I discovered the brand Buke, their notebooks are so amazing, beautiful and not expensive ! For me, they are perfect for creative journaling. Glad to hear someone talk about it :)

[@markyourpages]

I was really surprised with their quality for that price.

[@blf112761]

I was just journaling this morning (with a fountain pen) saying what a challenge it is for lefties. Then I clicked on this video! Subscribed ☺

[@supermario2084]

Thank you for the upload! I've been waiting for someone to make a video like this since I've started shopping at Temu.

[@markyourpages]

You’re welcome! So glad it was helpful.

[@OddOne251]

There's literally 100's of these "Trying out Temu stuff" videos on KZbin, and there has been since Temu first appeared....

[@supermario2084]

@@OddOne251 Maybe I'm an idiot and don't know how to search KZbin properly because the only videos I found during my search was for cute stationery. I was looking for the type of stuff this guy posted. Maybe I'm just not that bright.

[@39Bosski]

Great video! I personally love Temu, probably a bit too much. It's a great place to try products before investing in better quality. I love their non refillable fountain pens. I bought them in colors and in black and they are fun to draw with. For casual use, you can't go wrong.

[@michellerenee612]

@@39Bosski Esentially you’re buying products 2x and spending more money. Wouldn’t it be easier to buy good quality to begin with?

[@steffymuze]

​@@michellerenee612 and have less waste? Idgi personally

[@markyourpages]

I think it can be a smart way to go about it

[@Laura-xd1rn]

The rainbow gel pens from temu are lovely... and quite nostalgic 💕

[@markyourpages]

Good to know

[@angelar3045]

First video for me. I can tell by your studio there that this place is for me.

[@markyourpages]

@@angelar3045 I got you. Stationery lovers unite.

[@carolinemcloughlin9628]

It used to be shops in the UK bought their stock from China then the customer bought it in the UK, and now we are skipping the shop and going straight to the supplier though Temu, so we are getting our saving there. Quality can be hit or miss, but I have been shocked by how often I am getting something of high quality on Temu and Shein, compared to the patchy days of Wish and Aliexpress. I have bought washi tape, PET tape, stamps, stencils, and rulers, and all of them have been top quality. A random thing I bought was a little brush rest (shaped like a simplified 3 tier mountain) and for a cheap item, it works fantastically. The best thing I bought was double sided polypockets for storing bookmarks. Again, UK craft shops are not selling these items and they would make a fortune if they did - very good quality!

[@GaryScott-pdx]

How much was shipping for the elephant notebook? Shipping needs to be considered as it can easily increase the price by 50% on an inexpensive notebook.

[@MW-pb2gf]

@@GaryScott-pdxShipping from Temu is generally free for any order over $15. For items shipped from a local warehouse (my assumption is Amazon warehouses, based on what products are sold as local-and the one time an item arrived IN Amazon packaging), shipping will be like $3 or $5. Local items are usually more expensive anyway though, so the calculation is more about the same item being cheapER on Temu than Amazon (sometimes a good $20-$30 cheaper) rather than the item necessarily being cheap overall.

[@markyourpages]

Thank you so much for sharing

[@michellerenee612]

@@carolinemcloughlin9628 “skipping the shop” puts small shops out of business.

[@NotesFromPastAmy]

The trouble I have with cheap made-in-China fountain pens is they dry out quickly. 😕 Thanks for doing this, Mark!

[@markyourpages]

The cats are something that people don’t pay a lot of attention too, but when it’s done well, they actually keep them from drying out for long periods of time. I know the platinum pens focus on that a lot. You can have a pen Yoon used for almost a year and it won’t dry out.

[@junbug1029]

As a fellow lefty you can turn the notebook so the 3 ring binder is on the right side.

[@markyourpages]

I’ve thought about that, but then I feel like I’m just write reverse in my notebook

[@jessicapotts9972]

I love the washi tape from there and the 160gsm notebooks.

[@markyourpages]

Thanks for sharing. I feel like there was just a sea of washi

[@Allthejournals]

When I started my stationary journey, I ordered a lot from Temu to try out pens, journals, stickers. However, I normally never spend over $5-$10 per item. It's a great place to try out different hobbies on a budget. I have many journals, stickers, stamps, inks, and storage from Temu that I'm very happy with.

[@markyourpages]

I appreciate you sharing your experience

[@ayleybridges8942]

I'll be looking forward to a follow-up video to see how your new bargain finds hold up to usage over time. I personally haven't purchased anything from Temu.. I try not to order things from overseas if I can help it. Having limited funds, I try to utilize rewards programs & save up to get quality items more likely to last for the long haul, but that's not always an option either. Thanks for another great video!

[@markyourpages]

Spoiler alert, the crappy 500 page grid paper is worse than I thought. It legit trips as I’ve been writing on it with some pens.

[@ayleybridges8942]

@markyourpages Man, that's a bummer.. But, now we know! Trial & error is how we often discern the tried & true from the flop & folly. 😏 ~ Hope you're having a fabulous New Year! 🎇

[@kaths3990]

Very interesting and honest, Mark. Thanks. I know Temu is cheap and sometimes good value but i like my UK suppliers: Cult Pens, Miso Paper, London Gifties and soon Tom’s Studio. 💜

[@markyourpages]

100000% with you. It’s an option - but not necessarily the best option

[@MommaOsoIrish67]

I'm on a very low income, disability, so I've purchased a wide variety of items from temu. I've mostly been satisfied with the items. A couple of the disappointments were absolutely my own fault for not paying attention to dimensions, and the others were instantly refunded by Temu. One thing that ive found interesting is that "you get what you pay for" doesnt always apply with Temu. On the occasions tgat i chise a hifher priced item,bir was either exactly the same as the keaser priced or, a few times, worse than the cheaper selection. One of my annoyances is the descriptions are sometimes lacking in Pertinent information(dimensions, quantity, etc). Especially frustrating when a display of several items is shown but no clarification as to which will be received is given. Or the picture is of 5 items, and one is received. However, I'd say that, overall, my experience has been a mostly positive one.

[@markyourpages]

I am so glad to hear that you’ve had a good experience with them. Thanks for watching and sharing with us.

[@Hecatesroom]

Stickers from Temu are a great buy

[@markyourpages]

I’ll have to check some of them out

[@ssfoster95]

Great video. Buke has been my favorite fountain pen friendly notebook for years. I actually like it better than the A&O that I used for my 2024 Reading journal. I didn’t realize Temu have them. I usually get them from Amazon for around $19. I also love the Seqes brand. I just got a Tiefossi 256 page 160gsm notebook on Amazon for $19.99 for my 2025 Bible journal. I have purchased several clear stamps from there and have been pleased. I also snagged a 6 piece set of Pigma micron markers for $3.50-4.50 depending on the day. They also have an off brand set in 12 colors for around $6 that is really good quality. I also got set of 12 mild liner dupes for around $6 that are great. So you really have to pick and choose your battles with temu.

[@markyourpages]

That’s what I am thinking too. Cheap doesn’t mean best deal and quality seems to be hit or miss. Thanks for sharing.

[@dianagable6640]

Yes, I ordered some vintage creative sticker kits, some washi tape, and some storage items. I would say, all the things I bought are usable if not super high quality. I got a nice load of stuff for less than $100. I haven’t purchased from them again even though I look for stuff all the time. Mainly because I’m trying not to spend a lot not because I’m hesitant to buy from them. Thanks for the review.

[@markyourpages]

I appreciate you sharing your experience

[@Weissguys6]

I use Temu all the time. Just getting into keeping art journals and I really like their watercolor journal paper. No way I could afford buying on Amazon as I go through several a week. Very low budget, fixed income disabled. Pain management recommended I start doodling, etc, for pain control. In my case, Temu has been a blessing. And their customer service is awesome. They credit anything you review with less than 3 stars. Plus they guarantee to credit back if the thing you buy goes on sale for less. Love those credits 😂

[@markyourpages]

Oh wow

[@elylioney6390]

14:46 besides having cheap labour and possibly getting various subsidies, these companies also just copy designs of existing products - so the cost doesn’t include research & development. Its how a smart watch can be sold for $20. Also, China is getting good at producing paint - Paul Rubens - because they've been producting paint for western companies for decades.

[@Stroggoii]

Most of the "copies" aren't even copies. They're the exact same product companies buy, slap their logo on and then resell for 500% more. The $2 ballpoint 10 pack he shows is the exact same pen Office Depot sells for $1 each.

[@markyourpages]

I’m sure there is a mix of white labeling happen and less quality products - similar to how clothing companies do the same.

[@lainiwakura1776]

@@Stroggoii The designs are still stolen.

[@IsraaSaber]

It’s not just stolen designs of big companies, but of smaller independent business too. There are a couple of artists I follow on IG who make their own designs and high quality products who had their designs stolen and sold on Temu for cheaper and much lower quality .

[@adorabell4253]

@@lainiwakura1776no. White labeling is a very common and legal form of product selling.

[@juliewasmus7067]

Thanks Mark! Appreciate the straight forward reviews and comparisons - especially with the paper. I also prefer 160 / 180 gsm and have gotten some of the Burke dot grid journals in the past. You made me think about something regarding the stamps... I have some that after just a few uses are not sticky anymore, it's so disappointing. I'm guessing there is no way to "re-sticky" them is there?

[@markyourpages]

They shouldn’t lose their sticky - but I have had some that have too. Just clean them, maybe make sure that there isn’t any lint or anything on them.

[@aprilbrown8081]

I’ve gotten a number of fountain pens from Temu, some are really pretty and weighty. If you wait long enough anything in your cart will be offered to you for a lower price, I waited over a year for one pen lol. I’ve also gotten piles of notebooks and watercolor books and other pens, art supplies, etc. I’m rarely disappointed and it’s super easy to get a refund.

[@markyourpages]

I feel like their marketing is too much. I get so many emails a day and that site is flashing deal all the time. But good to know about the prices and cart. A reward for dealing with all their emails. 😆

[@aprilbrown8081]

You learn to ignore most of it and some of their little deals are legitimately good, but it takes time to sort out which are which. I have gotten so much stuff free over the last few years because of playing along. Avoid all the long term “games” though, like the fish and farm stuff. I’ve heard they’re awful.

[@sarahleony]

23:21 what ink pad is this? I recently got my first clear stamps but haven’t decided on an ink pad.

[@markyourpages]

Versafine ink is my all time favorite.

[@mindyfranke5279]

Nice video. I have purchased washi and some notebooks on Temu, along with some brush pens. In my original purchase I didn't have any idea about paper GSM and how to tell what was better quality than not, so I got what I paid for. The pens and washi are all as expected, no complaints. I will definitely be checking out the fountain pens though; as a fellow leftie I am just starting to experiment with fountains and thought I needed to use "left hand" specific nibs.

[@markyourpages]

Excited about your pen exploring

[@cvvzdesigns]

04:38 makes me think of similar results with the Tomoe River fountain pen notebooks. Just larger in scale, at 1/3 the cost. ☺

[@markyourpages]

For sure

[@tamramyers5841]

I like many of the pens, it doesn't stop me from ordering expensive pens as well. But for casual use or sharing with people who want to try fountain pens.

[@markyourpages]

Same! I like to know there are options, but I love the pricier pens 😂

[@AnnInWonderland.]

I'm not a huge fan of buying from sites like Temu but I'm glad you enjoyed the cheap fountain pens! :) We were using fountain pens at school and I think that some schools still use them so inexpensive fountain pens are available in every supermarket here. I have fountain pens that cost (the equivalent of) 3-10 USD and some of them have lasted me 10+ years and they're reliable. I can see the appeal of an expensive, fancy fountain pen but I've never needed them so I think it's a shame that someone who's so passionate about fountain pens that they get other people into it only showcases the fancy ones and doesn't talk about cheaper options. This doesn't need to be a super expensive hobby.

[@markyourpages]

100%. And you can also get items from 5 and below and dollar stores. There are truly so many options

[@Renza_S]

I have a couple of the Buke notebooks and really like them, I've found them as good as some other more expensive brands in terms of holding up to ink etc, and I don't have the 'I'm going to mess this up' self imposed stress of the pricier brands. Fountain pens... I have a collection starting as I am trying hard to move away from disposable stationery. I do have a couple big ticket ones I got more by luck than anything, but so far I'm not altogether convinced on why they carry the price tag they do. Maybe it will become apparent in time. I'm honestly more into dip pens at the moment as I like that I can change up colours frequently and use some of the more fancy shimmer inks without anything clogging!

[@markyourpages]

I appreciate you sharing. And thanks fot watching

[@KyshaKitty]

I bought several retractable fountain pens from TEMU for work because things had a tendency to walk away when I wasn't there. Oddly enough my fountain pens never did. I guess people couldn't figure out how to use them so the didn't take them. I found the quality overall to be okay for what I paid. I had an ultrafine that clogged constantly but that could have been the ink I used. (yes I had drawers and a door but keys were pretty much the same for every door)

[@markyourpages]

So complex pens are how you keep them from walking 😆 noted!

[@Cordelia0704p]

Hahaha my fountain pens are the only ones that don’t leave my desk too! I got a couple off temu with cartridges because I’m still afraid of my bottles of ink and I figure it’s a good way to learn to use them. I haven’t had a problem yet and my boss - who will walk off with girly colored pens - is terrified of them lol so added bonus :)

[@pułkownikkaczodziobyzpodlasia]

3:43 ain’t no way they called that hard cover lmaoooo

[@markyourpages]

Right!? Hah

[@lorraineb5991]

I got a couple of those buke notebooks for next year and am really happy with the quality

[@markyourpages]

They seem great.

[@dortheaford8083]

I did buy some cheap $2 foundation pens (not from Temu) in the past. They were wonderful at first but after a year they tended to leak or break. So now I just wait and save my money for quality pens. And good quality doesn’t have to cost much, just more than $2.

[@markyourpages]

I’m interested to see how these hold up. I feel like it’s the good old cheap / fast vs good / quality.

[@Hawkrn1]

I bought several silicone stamps from Team and use them all the time. They held up very well.

[@markyourpages]

Aweosme!!

[@franzinera68]

I got a fountain pen a while ago that I really liked, then I got another one, and then a month ago I said: time for something more fancy. I don't regret the first pens, although of course my Metro feels way better. In summary, I have a heart big enough for both of them

[@markyourpages]

Yes, there is always a place for a pen in my home too

[@Katiedora122]

I would definitely say you get what you pay for in most cases, but it really depends on what you're looking for. You really pay for the quality and functions that you want, and often the brand name or company mission. That said, I have picked up some incredibly cheap notebooks/planners in the past when I was in school that I needed for very specific purposes, and occasionally I would wind up with something I loved. I hadn't dived into my stationery obsession at that point, but I remember finding a notebook on sale for $3 at the campus bookshop, and it made my heart sing whenever I wrote in it, lol. The paper was thicker but kind of rough, but the lines were perfectly between wide and college ruled, and my favorite Pentel RSVP pen with purple ink looked SO GOOD on it. I've never been able to find an adequate replacement, even with all the superior quality brands available to me now.

[@markyourpages]

Thanks for sharing your experience

[@astaru1982]

Really great video, I appreciate it! I thought that elephant notebook looked quite nice, but the other ones where the paper can only be used on one side due to bleeding... 😖I prefer paying double the price and getting a notebook that has top notch paper where both sides can be used. Thank you again!

[@markyourpages]

Thanks for watching

[@UnrealSoundDesigner]

I would love to see all these products after some time of use tho! my very first bullet journal was a dollar store notebook (similar to the elephant but lined) and it didn't fall apart but it didn't hold up to well either to the constant use 😅 so I would love to see an after, I think longevity really is part of what we pay for in other products

[@markyourpages]

That’s a great idea, I will do a follow-up video once I get more time with these items.

[@GumbiiGrows]

i have the click fountain pen, and yeah, the black one is hard to click out... but, i got a funky seafoam green/pink one, and the clicking action is butter... super smooth and nice... i think just that black one is hard to click...

[@markyourpages]

Crazy how they can be the same and work so differently.

[@rebeccagoulding7075]

I get a few good items at temu and similar places like shein. I am usually disappointed with paper and some pens, and I’ve come to expect that a lot of things will be smaller or lower quality than indicated. I like stickers and get a bunch from temu. I’ve also bought stamps, which I am happy with. I get some nice travellers notebook accessories there, but it’s a bit hit and miss. I think you have to be careful how you pay for things at temu, just make sure you pay in a secure way (goes without saying really). I’m going to order one of those versatile metal fountain pens, so I can take it to work and not worry about losing a $50 pen.

[@nikita2471]

i got that same grid pad but for waaay less than $16! I don't use it for writing on but for collage work. I don't expect craft/stationery stuff from Temu to be high quality so I'm not going to complain about what I ordered. If I want quality, I know to spend more at other places.

[@okwrite7120]

Yeah, you have to look around because there are usually multiple sellers with the same product on those sites.

[@markyourpages]

Dammit! 😂 swindlers

[@LauraBCReyna]

Junk journaling is the first thing I thought of when I saw the quality of the paper of that scratch pad.

[@jenniferreece2218]

Interesting! I appreciate your review as I haven't bought paper, notebooks or pens from Temu. I have purchased stamps, dies, stickers and some general household items (lights, storage containers, etc.) Most have been good, some things that haven't worked were easily refunded. I've never had to physically return anything (I am sure postage would be more than the product cost as I tend to buy inexpensive items.) 2 things I will note, however, is I have noticed the prices are creeping up AND i do notice some copyrighted items being sold under a different name. In some cases, they don't even change the packaging or sample images. I will not purchase those items. Thank you for your review!

[@markyourpages]

Thanks for watching and dropping your comment and experience.

[@cvvzdesigns]

16:45 I also look at them as changes of clothing for better pens, if need be, since most end up having the same threading size. I'm super glad it worked so well, though! 🥰

[@markyourpages]

I actually thought about using the spring in the CURIDAS dupe to fix my pen that broke.

[@cvvzdesigns]

@@markyourpages Oooo. If it works, that would save a pretty penny!

[@emilymakescoffee1741]

My big issue with these “discount” sites is the ethics involved in my purchase. I would rather have less and get a trusted quality from a trusted company. I like purchasing from companies that give back to their communities, are women/bipoc owned and have integrity. One thing I like about the journaling hobby is that it doesn’t lean in to over-consumerism. I love people using their stash of supplies, supporting independent artists, and making thoughtful purchases. I was curious how Mark was going to handle this Temu video, but it would be a HARD PASS for me on any creator doing “TEMU hauls”.

[@RyeMiArt]

exactly, I am not interested in any temu hauls and certainly won't ever buy from them but I begrudgingly clicked on this one because I was curious about Marks experience

[@lainiwakura1776]

I don't care if women or minorities are running the business, I care that the product is good and the customer service is good.

[@emilymakescoffee1741]

@ thats your choice for sure. We all have different things we value when making purchases. It’s important to me to use my dollars to help support/drive marginalized economies. But I fully respect people making different choices in how they spend their money. You work hard for what you have, it’s great that you have choice in how you spend it.

[@adorabell4253]

Journaling can definitely lean into overconsumption from insane market collections to binders full of stamps to simply having stacks and stacks of notebooks. Journaling is like any other paper craft: extremely prone to overconsumption

[@StoneWolf99801]

I buy there watercolor paper all the time and its pretty heavy duty, very nice & I like cold press and they have some great stuff..... And they even carry watercolor blocs.

[@markyourpages]

Good to know

[@viktoriatoth5809]

People need to make peace with the fact that 99.9% of office supplies come from China anyway, no matter where you buy them, Temu or your local shop. And they are good at it, just like any other Eastern countries. Office supplies from China, Japan, Taiwan etc are always good.

[@markyourpages]

Very true.

[@gallivantingfox]

Things like stencils and stamps, I'll get from Temu. Or sometimes I need one of an item that is only sold in packs on Amazon or elsewhere, but Temu has the same item for sale individually or in a smaller quantity. Otherwise, I like to get my items from a craft store or specialty stationery store.

[@markyourpages]

I totally get that! And from that I got, honestly I feel like I could have found some of them locally vs from them.

[@donnanoble9588]

Greetings from Germany. It is now better to get points instead of line or squared paper. But I want to start bullet journal, so i go to book stores and shops with paper and hobby things. Finding preprintrd pages with numbers is impossible. Than a loop for pen already on the book.... perfect. Think the elefant journal is a perfect beginner book. I paid 2 weeks ago 8 euro for a dot pages book. Its 2cm thick. Paper is ok. No numbers, no pocket, no loop, no nice picture in front, and I like the idea of the bookmarks. Lot to think about. Thanks for the nice informative video. And I love fountain pens. You get only with the cartridges were you store 2 of them in the pen. You can buy extra the ones to fill yourself, but rare in shops to get.

[@markyourpages]

Thanks for watching and sharing.

[@s.maskell7134]

I notice that products like micro pens have considerably less ink than name products. Also, the converters tend to be annoying and work poorly so I fill them with a syringe but they still don't hold a lot of ink so will likely end up re-filling cartridges. Like you, I don't mind using the cheap pens, but I'm not into calligraphy and don't need expensive inks either so they work for me and I prefer them to gel pens or rollerballs.

[@markyourpages]

Oh interesting. So same look but less of the materials

[@lorenaalonso2820]

I used to buy from Temu but last time I wanted order I had 3 articles and they divided the order for a different date to mail and the single article it says you have to buy 20. In order to have free shipping . When before they send everything together and free shipping . So no order no more

[@markyourpages]

Whoa that’s crazy.

[@elylioney6390]

I must say, I'm not surprised by the comments on this vid or the comments that led to this vid. Different set of people.

[@markyourpages]

I feel like this is a common theme when it comes to shopping online.

[@jingeramos]

I buy stuff on Temu as well. It's a hit and miss whenever I buy it from Temu.

[@markyourpages]

Thanks for sharing

[@ShaunaStory]

Kind of surprised the notebooks cost that much, especially the ones that bled through. One might be better off checking out Midori MD notebooks or Muji depending on their needs/costs. 🤔

[@user-ek6uq7cn1c]

Tariffs. The class interests that our politicians are beholden to have spoken, and have said "nice try circumventing us, plebs. Back to paying American owners of capital."

[@jhheart307]

Amazon has 6 of those blank white keyring notecard packs for &6.99, just saying....

[@markyourpages]

👀 I’ll be checking those out. Haha thanks!

[@MW-pb2gf]

Probably the same original merchant as Temu, lbr.

[@adorabell4253]

@@MW-pb2gfsame factory. It’s not even white labelling. Pretty much all the pads and notebooks are just storefronts selling the same product usually for the same price. A lot of Ali sellers are opening Amazon storefronts so we’re seeing the same products there as well now. Ali still has better selection and once you have a trustworthy storefront you’re set.

[@beccascraps8141]

My concern with the stamps is are the designs stolen? Can’t be sure either way. Those birds are SO CUTE though

[@markyourpages]

That’s come up a few times in the comments. Wonder the best way to check

[@notconvincedgranny6573]

7:17 Was that a rip-off of "Scribbles That Matter"?

[@markyourpages]

Some think so

[@IvanRomero-ho8wv]

I tried buying from Temu once and I never received the package. The money was refunded but I haven't purchased since.

[@markyourpages]

@@IvanRomero-ho8wv at least you got your money back - but how odd

[@TJulieta]

Lol, I pretty much always fill my pens directly into the cartridge. 😂

[@markyourpages]

Easy peasy

[@dakotagrey260]

I’m very picky about my paper so the notebooks are a no for me, but that blue pen😏😏

[@markyourpages]

Yeah the paper is mostly crap, honestly.

[@b.smithchobette]

Ah thanks for this video!! Low income here for now

[@markyourpages]

Thanks for watching, you’re welcome!

[@asheirahs_nook]

Just saying, just because a journal has a high gsm, doesn’t mean it’s better quality. Coating matters more when it comes to bleeding and feathering, Tomoe River comes in 52 and 68gsm and actually holds up better than some other uncoated paper of a much higher gsm, which makes it ideal for fountain pens 😊 the only thing you’ll get is ghosting.

[@markyourpages]

I appreciate the knowledge

[@scaweaver]

It is always buyer beware for sites like Temu or Ali. 1st is possible quality issues. 2. Is intellectual property rights getting violated. (Which Walmart and Amazon also are guilty of doing.) 3. Shipping and handling issues. I never received 1 package from Ali Express.. lost in transit. No refund. 🤬 And finally for those in the USA... 4. Tariffs will change all of these prices. the EU (and some other places) already have VAT fees or customs charges. It will be interesting to see what happens with super cheap prices that are EXACTLY why tariffs are being threatened.

[@markyourpages]

Great warnings for all the sites. I bought pens off Ali one time and was basically accepting I’d never get them. I did eventually - but didn’t feel very confident.

[@insaniquarium92]

I ordered a MaJohn A1 off Aliexpress & it came to me within a week (AU

[@isnorathenerd4408]

That’s strange! I’ve bought ALOT of stuff off AliExpress and I have only ever had one item get lost/ never arrive and they gave me a full refund

[@joycehuff9769]

I live in Canada. Temu is very tempting at times as I pay double what US prices are from regular stores. Everything I’ve bought from Temu has been amazing quality. I’ve never had customs or tariffs or loses. I haven’t bought very much from them though

[@TheNibNerd]

It’s so good to see another man who is a stationary lover. I thought I was the only one.

[@joycemaureroriginal8563]

Well that was interesting!

[@markyourpages]

Thanks for checking it out

[@amyeck3737]

I am so glad to see you do this! I am on a very limited income (disability) and can't afford Archer and Olive notebooks so I use the Buke and since I have been watching you I have been curious about fountain pens. I bought the 10 pk of the black pens that you bought and 2 fountain pens. I did buy a few of their inks and ink cartridges. So far I have been very impressed with the Temu products I have bought. One of the fountain pens did dry up pretty quickly but for 2 dollars I have to say I wasn't expecting even the quality that I did get. Thank you again for the video.

[@markyourpages]

It sounds like you’ve had a great experience with some of the products. It’s definitely hit or miss it seems.

[@weislang]

I have a lot of problems with the ethics of Temu . . .I wonder if there are additional affordable options that don't have those same problems? I've had a Shaeffer Classic fountain pen, made with a plastic barrel, that has been functioning just fine for about 35 years now . .. and probably cost me $10. Not sure they make it any more however . . .

[@markyourpages]

There are definitely other affordable options. But it’s always the bigger stores and shops that carry similar things that you can shops. Especially if you want to support smaller shops

[@leslieherring381]

Rather than buying paper for scratch pads or rough drafts, I re-use paper. I use the backs of envelopes for shopping and to-do lists, and the blank backs of papers that come in the mail (donation requests, bills or receipts I don’t need to save, etc.) or things I’ve printed that I don’t need to keep.

[@markyourpages]

I have a paper bin I use too for scrap paper 📑

[@Bex_InMT]

500 pages of graph paper, whoa... like old school phone books 😂

[@markyourpages]

Nuts

[@low8739]

I’m still wary of Temu. I don’t know if it’s really safe or not.

[@markyourpages]

I hear you.

[@elainelouve]

On the notebooks: for the price and quality Muji is a better option.

[@markyourpages]

Yeah I agree

[@Bandofheathens8]

Tell me you’re a lefty without telling me you’re a lefty…working from the back to the front. Back in the spiral notebook phase of life, the wire hurt to write, so you just start in the back lol😂

[@markyourpages]

Smart

[@moxiedawn4370]

The blue fountain pen does look pretty cool. I think that could be useful for a kid to learn how to fill, clean and use a fountain pen before you invest in something more costly.

[@markyourpages]

That is a great idea. A good starter pen for them!

[@GIRLdisambiguation]

i’m shocked by the price of those notebooks they’re pretty expensive compared to the better quality ones you can find at MUJI or Kokuyo Campus and even the dollar store

[@markyourpages]

Same! Honestly for the price I expected better quality. Not really any amazing deals

[@puppetaccess]

The fine liners probably leaked in their caps due to air-shipping.

[@markyourpages]

@@puppetaccess that would make sense.

[@KJM_Writes]

Honestly, the biggest problem with Temu is that they don’t give a crap about intellectual property. You’re getting cheap stuff made by people that are treated like slaves and on top of that, you run the risk that designs are stolen from small creators. I’ll bet those bird stamps are actually someone’s design and that grey notebook with the elephant is definitely a Scribbles that Matter knock-off. I would not shop are Temu (or similar) no matter how inexpensive the items were. I would rather give my money to small creators, ethical companies or, if I must, box shifters and the high street.

[@markyourpages]

Thanks for checking out the video and sharing your perspective. You are in the same line with a lot of others. I did read into it more after posting and seeing the comments and it looks like a lot of that “fast” options happen a lot in clothing. And it seems sort of all over here place with other products since Temu is the 3rd party. They are basically the middle person between these companies and the end user. Hearing about the stolen designs makes me sad - definitely something to second guess and consider in the future.

[@steffymuze]

IME, the cheap (fountain) pens work great at first but have no longevity. Nice to try the hobby, but that's it with the ones I've tried. I prefer quality over quantity.

[@markyourpages]

I’m already noticing some issues

[@valerieconner6066]

My concerns about business practices which may include forced labor outweigh finding something cheap. There’s a reason their stuff has low prices and there is likely human suffering as a reason. There are less expensive options but I understand the appeal.

[@markyourpages]

The “great deal” advertising is what I think draws people in. But what you learn later or realize that maybe it’s not, it makes it less shiny. That’s my thought

[@DL-idk]

I don’t trust cheap Chinese products as someone who was born and raised in China 😅 They make inmates to work for free. They don’t do all the products, of course. There are also factories that actually pay their workers. From what I heard of, the inmates are mostly forced to assemble things like holiday/home decorations, to thread bead patterns on clothes - the repetitive labor that anyone can do. Haven’t heard about anything stationary related. But it’s just hard to tell. The country is pretty opaque on how things are done.

[@StoneWolf99801]

I always use a bleed through page no matter what quality paper or or pens....

[@markyourpages]

Smart

[@julia_l-c]

Temu steals designs from artists. Please don't support them (or other similar companies).

[@annettefertitta6868]

Really good to know

[@CrisOnTheInternet]

But looks like this video discourage people to buy there, so that's a win

[@user-ek6uq7cn1c]

Proof?

[@jonimitchell6962]

Where do you think thee designer get their products made???? In many cases exact same factories. Kind if like when ou buy the store brand versus name brand. Same company different labels. I get that ou want to protect the designer. But don't act like buying from them isn't buying from China.

[@IMNENIGMA1]

This is 100% true. I worked with a cosmetics brand that had their makeup formula created in the U.S but then sent it to China to be made. They try to cheat us by having it made cheaply then narking it up, so whos the crook?​@jonimitchell6962

[@napierwoods]

Temu is cheap, but they steal a lot of the designs they sell and have some really bad quality products. For inexpensive stationary options from small businesses aliexpress is much better. Due to the currency exchange between the yuan and the dollar and the fact aliexpress sells a lot of clearance, bulk selling, and manufacturing defects or extras, it's still extremely affordable. I shop a lot at the mr. paper (I love them), Tianzi Stationary (amazing stickers), fun scrapbooking store, and journamm. The first time you buy you also get massive discounts, so buy everything all at once to take advantage. (I know I sound a bit like a brochure, but I really both really love supporting small stationary companies and hate temu for stealing from artists.)

[@markyourpages]

I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and experiences. Also lol the cool spots you get your goodies from. Thanks for watching.

[@Jackie.D329]

I swear all I see these days are hauls and unboxing. The consumerism is unreal. I remember when I would just watch it be about bullet journaling and not 30 min videos that are basically advertisement for archer and olive and now temu.

[@markyourpages]

@@Jackie.D329 I like to mix it up - but I’ve always shared my love for stationery and trying new things. Hopfully you will enjoy more of a mix in the new year.

[@Bizarro1606]

No ballpoint pens? 😞 Every gel pen that ive used bleeds on any kind of paper unless its high quality or expensive 🤦‍♂️

[@markyourpages]

@@Bizarro1606 I had the inky ones. Honestly, I have favorite ballpoints so need to try try more. Uniball Signo .38, Sarasa Markon, Energel

[@Bizarro1606]

Thank you so much! Do you have any recommendations for cheaper /bulk- buy pens that youve found good? Thank you again for your response

[@annettefertitta6868]

My experience has been hit or miss

[@markyourpages]

That seems to be the general consensus.

[@heartsandcraftswithana4494]

That was $100?

[@markyourpages]

@@heartsandcraftswithana4494 everything together total order

[@Sandra-ld9rj]

temu buying is hit and miss and we found you had to buy a certain dollar value before they would ship to you. But the shipping was free so sometimes you ended up buying things you didnt necessarily need or want to make up the price.

[@markyourpages]

I feel like this is similar to Amazon. Spend $35 get it today - so you add something else. Seems to be a common tactic by these type of sites.

[@k8mae656]

There are several people who have gotten their financial information stolen from Temu. Including myself. I JUST found this while going through my bills today. Since I JUST caught this problem, I don't have anything to share about how they handle complaints. Also, I have received several packages from them in the past few weeks of items that I may have looked at, and things that I didn't even look at, let alone ordered. I have been having a ton of health and other issues going on since this has happened, which is why I hadn't addressed these issues until just now. That being said, I must admit that their PET tape, all of the stickers I've ordered, and the obscure themed types of stickers (like The Twilight Zone, Vincent Price, Jem and the Hollograms, Halloween themes, Sanrio, and more) have been excellent and items that I have never found or would even know where to find. Buyers beware as far as the financial and personal information side of things.

[@markyourpages]

Oh wow. That’s crazy

[@mgtogno]

I dont buy temu because its been over 10 years I don't buy fast fashion, And though stationery is not fast fashion, I feel like those cheap off brand or knock off stuff from teemo are not ethically made and it generates a lot of polution and waste, u buy so many pens for 3usd, people just throw them in the trash when they dont want it anymore, and many other issues, I know big corporations such as kokuyo, midori etc may have some issues with the production but they are unlikely whereas on temu, ali express etc, this is a given. So I don't support them at all...rather give my money to hobonichi or lamy...

[@markyourpages]

Good outlook

[@gretchendietz1599]

You have to wonder why what they sell is so much cheaper. I don't know but it definitely makes me hesitant to buy from them. I ordered from them a couple of times and what I got was fine but then I was spammed constantly and read warnings about spyware. I've decided to steer clear of them. I do my best not to buy from China as hard as that is.

[@markyourpages]

I'm definitely understanding where you're coming from, the lower prices do make you wonder what the catch is. And I really do not personally like their marketing. Too many emails and pop ups.

[@charlotteh71]

The first two notebooks aren't good value at all you can buy much better quality ones from me dollar store

[@markyourpages]

Yeah they were crap

[@tluderman77]

I buy A5 plane and printed paper. And I love it cheap. Good quality and you get a lot for paying this. A little what you used to now, they jacked up the price.

[@markyourpages]

Thanks for sharing