The Temu free gift trick: What’s behind the free gifts

The Temu free gift trick: What you should bear in mind

Free gifts are a popular way to attract customers and boost sales figures. However, these offers aren’t always as advantageous as they seem at first glance.

• The Temu free gift trick is based on the principle that free gifts encourage customers to buy further products. These gifts are often offered as a reward for purchasing a certain quantity or for signing up to a service.
• Behind this concept lies the idea that the value of the free gifts prompts customers to spend more money than they had originally planned. It is a psychological tactic that evokes a sense of saving money and satisfaction upon receiving a ‘gift’.
• The gifts on offer can range from small promotional items to valuable rewards. However, the actual value of the gift compared to the amount spent is often lower than expected.
• Another aspect of the Temu free gift ploy is the collection of customer data. By signing up to receive a gift, customers disclose personal information that can be used for marketing purposes.

Risks associated with the Temu ‘free gift’ ploy

Whilst free gifts are tempting, there are several risks and drawbacks that consumers should be aware of before taking up such offers.

• A common risk is that customers spend more than they had planned in order to meet the requirements for receiving a free gift. This can lead to an unnecessary financial burden. The ‘free gift’ is usually only received if you refer a certain number of new users using an invitation code.
• Many “free gift” promotions use fake promotional codes or links designed to steal personal data and login details. Cybercriminals exploit Temu’s popularity to harvest data via copycat or fake websites.
• Often, the number of people invited is ultimately insufficient to actually receive the gift, and the requirements increase arbitrarily over time. Many report not having received a gift despite considerable effort. Alternatively, the quality of the free gifts often fails to meet customers’ expectations. These are frequently outdated or substandard products that do not offer the promised value.
• Consumers could fall into a subscription trap if free gifts are only available as part of a subscription offer. This can lead to long-term commitments and unexpected costs. Sometimes items are advertised as free, but additional costs for postage, tax or customs duties arise, which are not clearly identified at the time of ordering.
• The Temu ‘free gift’ ploy can also undermine customer trust if they feel they have been deceived. This can lead to a negative brand image and a decline in customer loyalty.
• Even with genuine Temu offers, quality control is often lacking, as Temu acts solely as a marketplace for third-party sellers. Defective, mislabelled or even counterfeit goods are frequently delivered, which can lead to health and safety issues (e.g. lack of a CE mark, poor workmanship).
• The Temu app requests extensive permissions (access to location, contacts, etc.), through which large amounts of data are collected. In addition, users are bombarded with adverts and push notifications. Customers also frequently report difficulties with returns; customer support often fails to respond, and refunds are either not issued or are problematic.
• The Temu ‘gift’ schemes should be treated with caution and carry significant risks, particularly regarding phishing and data misuse. The actual delivery of free products is uncertain and often involves strict conditions or hidden costs. It is advisable to approach such offers with a highly critical eye and only share personal data via verified Temu channels.

Using the Temu free gift trick to your advantage

The Temu free gift trick can also be used to your advantage by making targeted use of the platform’s various promotions, welcome packs and referral programmes.

• New customer welcome pack: After registering on the Temu app, you’ll usually receive a welcome pack containing free items, vouchers or discounts.
• Referral programme: Anyone who successfully refers friends can receive both free items and Temu credit. Sharing referral links on social media significantly increases your chances of receiving rewards.
• In-app games and daily activities: The app regularly offers mini-games and daily missions through which users can earn points or free gifts. Examples include harvesting virtual crops or spinning wheels of fortune.
• Special promotions and flash sales: Temu regularly runs limited-time promotions (e.g. via banners or by searching for ‘gift’ or ‘0.00’), during which products are offered for free. Promotional messages and push notifications alert users to new promotions.
• Combining items in the shopping basket: Free gifts are often subject to a minimum order value and can be added to the shopping basket once selected. It is advisable to plan the ordering process carefully so as not to lose your selection.