Temu Customers Outraged as Prices Skyrocket Due to Tariffs
American customers have enjoyed the low prices offered by Chinese e-tailer Temu. But after the massive tariffs imposed on Chinese imports to the United States, it looks like those low prices are over – and people aren't happy about it.
As CNBC reported this week, Temu has begun adding “import charges” of about 145% to its products, more than doubling the price of most products available for sale in response to the 145% tariff placed on Chinese imports.
“Items imported into the U.S. may be subject to import charges. These charges cover all customs-related processes and costs, including import fees paid to customs authorities on your behalf,” Temu explains on its website. “The amount listed may not represent the actual amount paid to customs authorities.”
As one person pointed out in a post on Reddit, prices have surged on some products while the listing on other products are completely gone with the item no longer listed for sale at all.
"R.I.P. Temu, it was nice while it lasted," the poster wrote.
Needless to say, people are not happy about what has happened to the once-affordable online retailer.
"With this economy I stopped shopping at stores. I would buy at Temu because it was affordable and they have alot of cute stuff for decorations, art supplies, phone cases, shirts, cleaning supplies etc. I honestly want to cry," someone else wrote.
"Same here. I'm so bummed out. Things that have been in my cart for years are now gone. This sucks," another person added.
"I just checked mine and same. Only things available are local and I’m not paying 2.99 per item to get it shipped. Hopefully this doesn’t last forever," someone else said.
"Yes, I just checked, and almost everything in my cart increased by 25 to 300 percent. No, that is NOT a typo. Tack on the egregious import charges and Temu is now no longer an option for me," another person wrote.
We'll have to see how the tariffs continue impacting American businesses and consumers.