Temu + AliExpress - Are They Worth Using?

Temu and AliExpress seem to offer great deals on a range of electronics and maker products. But are these deals as good as they seem?
In this video I try both sites to buy some equipment for my upcoming projects. I'm not looking at obviously fake deals, but trying to find great prices and real offers.
Don't forget to check out my main website for more information.
bytesnbits.co.uk/temu-aliexpr...
0.00 Introduction
2:50 Products, prices, ordering and delivery
7:48 What arrived and what quality?
12:03 Conclusion

[@xXTheoLinuxXx]

I'm using both of them for hobbyist kind of stuff and I had no issues so far. For cheap things that doesn't need the highest quality they are hard to beat.

[@BytesNBits]

That's very much the impression I'm getting as well. Not entirely sure I would run a big purchase through them yet, but maybe confidence will grow.

[@Corialtavi]

I read a comment on another site that said they thought the goods were so cheap because if a foreign buyer orders something and the producer company has tooled up for this they want the line running 24 hours. So if the order is not enough to keep that 24 hr line running they do it anyway and sell off the goods at factory gate prices to other local buyers. It sounds plausible to me. I have purchased goods which are "Identical" to branded goods. Temu seems to carry these surplus goods but Ali express has a much wider selection of electronic maker gear, much more than I can source locally at an affordable price.

[@BytesNBits]

That sounds like a reasonable explanation.

[@johngudmundson5020]

I have used both for about a year with no issues at all.

[@BytesNBits]

I guess as usual it's down to being realistic about what you're going to get for the price you pay.

[@wktodd]

As someone with decades of experience, I would not recommend using a handheld drill adapter for pcb use the drill is nowhere near fast enough for small drill, there are better light weight devices with higher speed spindles (avoid the cheapest as they have run-out that are greater than the drill diameter!)

[@BytesNBits]

Thanks for the tip. I did want to modify this (or buy a different one) to use my rotary tool at the higher rpm but this one seems to be working fine. I guess some real pcb work will test it properly.

[@umutkayacan7659]

I have done some purchasing from Aliexpress, it is a gamble. It COULD be the thing you ordered. But on the other hand, ordering from Temu is straight-up a bad choice. Temu and its parent company are currently getting sued by the USA.

[@BytesNBits]

Thanks for the info. As yet I've only run a small number of orders through these sites but it seems to have gone well so far. I guess the types of things I've bought have less room for variability.

[@ronaldmorrison2765]

My experience with Temu is that you need to read the entire description, then read it again in case you misinterpreted what was said. Then look carefully at each picture and read anything written there. Lastly, if you think it is something you want, read any feedback from previous purchasers. Then you will be making an informed decision. Never risk more than you can afford to lose.

[@ronaldmorrison2765]

Quality control may be an issue but the pricing is low enough to risk a failed product. One can get a refund on the amount of money spent but it is hard to replace that 10 day wait for each product. I have been mostly impressed with items from both sources.

[@BytesNBits]

Thanks for sharing

[@androxilogin]

Short answer- TEMU, no. Aliexpress, always for cheap arduino modules and things. Great for parts for building stuff. Never rely on their memory.

[@BytesNBits]

Thanks for sharing. I'm still only a few orders in to my experience but all OK so far. I'll keep an eye on Temu though I've only placed the single order you've seen through them.

[@roostertechchan]

You should blur your personal details :)

[@BytesNBits]

Thanks for spotting that. Completely forgot to blur it. Not to worry. Maybe someone will send me a Christmas present!

[@martin-uz1py]

I am always concerned about how much they pay the people who make this stuff and what conditions they are working in. That's one of the reasons keep away from this type of site. Perhaps if I got it from Amazon it would be made in the same factory in the same conditions and I am just wasting my money and being naive thinking that the workers are getting a better deal.

[@BytesNBits]

I do agree with you on some items, especially clothing and those sorts of products where people do get exploited. My reasoning, which may well be flawed, is that the electronics and technical items need a certain level of factory investment and tooling which should take it away from the backstreet sweatshop setup.

[@zyghom]

you exposed all your data: mobile, address... see @7:20

[@BytesNBits]

Thanks for spotting that. All blurred now.