By: Natasha Archary

From fast fashion, to cheap home accessories, gadgets, toys and more, Shein and Temu have taken over the world.
The online Chinese shopping websites are enticing buyers with their clever marketing on social media, influencer reviews and pop-up ads all across Google.
While most South Africans are familiar with Shein, many are skeptical about making purchases on Temu after some social media users shared that what they ordered, versus what they received were chalk and cheese.
@nonim20 Shuuu 😂😂😂#Temu#fypシ゚viral #tiktoksouthafrica🇿🇦 #nonim20 ♬ original sound – Noni Mablangwe
@niso_mthembu Aw Temuza matemane😭💔🤣 #SAMA28 #temugift #foryoupage #fypシ #viral #trend #southafricatiktok🇿🇦 #amakhosazaneonyazii🔥🙌💃❤ #ebuhlenibamanazaretha🚂☀️🌙🌈⚡ #why #kzntiktok #viraltiktok ♬ original sound – Mandisa Mkhize
Jan Vermeulen, Editor at MyBroadband joins Gugulethu Mfuphi on Kaya Biz to discuss how safe it is to order on Shein and Temu.
With concerns about how these websites handle and protect personal data of account holders, Vermeulen warns that there is a possibility that these sites access in-app data without your knowledge.
“Much-like Shein, Temu does fast-fashion but also other products, and it’s a company that is also vying for the global retail space.
Temu is like ‘Wish meets Shein’, like with the Wish meme, where you order something and what you get is totally different, there have been some customers who have shared that they ordered a coffee machine for a ridiculously low price and ended up getting a fridge magnet in their package.
The other concern is how these stores are producing the goods, with cheap labour and of course how these stores handle people’s personal data.”
An article on ZDNET answers the most frequently asked questions about shopping on Shein and Temu, advising that it’s best to not link your bank account or debit card on these websites.
The publication also shares some of the products you shouldn’t purchase from these online stores, and these include smart devices, electronics and branded gadgets because these are almost, always dupes or fakes.
Listen to the conversation on Kaya Biz:
Also read: MMC calls for justice in the brutal murder of a JMPD officer by a SAPS officer



