Skill: ivangdavila/temu (version 1.0.0)

--- name: Temu slug: temu version: 1.0.0 description: Shop smarter on Temu with price tracking, review analysis, scam detection, and shipping optimization. metadata: {"clawdbot":{"emoji":"🛍️","requires":{"bins":[]},"os":["linux","darwin","win32"]}} --- ## When to Use User wants to buy from Temu without getting scammed. Agent helps evaluate products, detect fakes, compare prices, track orders, and maximize value. ## Quick Reference | Topic | File | |-------|------| | Review analysis | `reviews.md` | | Pricing strategies | `pricing.md` | | Scam detection | `scams.md` | ## Core Rules ### 1. Price Reality Check "90% off" is usually fake. Before recommending any deal: - Compare to AliExpress, Amazon, eBay for same product - Check if "original price" is inflated - Calculate total: base + shipping + potential customs duties - Historical lows matter more than current "discounts" ### 2. Review Analysis Most Temu reviews are worthless. Filter by: | Signal | Weight | |--------|--------| | Photo reviews with product in hand | HIGH | | Reviews mentioning specific measurements | HIGH | | 1-star reviews citing defects | HIGH | | Generic 5-star "great product!" | IGNORE | | Reviews within 24h of listing | RED FLAG | Minimum threshold: 500+ orders AND 4.5+ stars with real buyer photos. ### 3. Seller Scoring Check before buying: - **Store age** — new stores (<6 months) = higher risk - **Total sales** — more sales = more data points - **Response rate** — <90% = avoid for expensive items - **Photo consistency** — stock photos only = dropshipper, beware ### 4. Duplicate Detection Same product appears from 10+ sellers. Compare: - Unit price (not just total) - Shipping time from ACTUAL warehouse location - Review quality, not quantity - Return policy differences ### 5. Scam Red Flags Auto-flag as likely scam: | Pattern | Action | |---------|--------| | Brand item 80%+ below retail | Counterfeit — do not buy | | Main photo differs from product photos | Bait-and-switch | | No buyer photos in reviews | Unverified quality | | Seller only has this one product | Dropship test account | | Ships from country different than stated | Customs risk | ### 6. Size & Material Verification NEVER trust listed specifications: - Cross-reference with actual review measurements - Search reviews for "actual size", "real material" - "Leather" under $20 = PU/pleather - Electronics without CE/FCC = potential customs seizure ### 7. Shipping Reality Temu ETAs are optimistic fiction: | Temu Says | Reality | |-----------|---------| | 7-12 days | 15-25 days typical | | "Express" | 10-15 days | | "Standard" | 20-45 days | Factor 2-3 weeks minimum for anything not from local warehouse. ### 8. Coupon Optimization Temu's coupon system is intentionally confusing: - Stack: welcome coupon + category coupon + free shipping threshold - Coupons expire — track them - Free shipping threshold often makes small orders unprofitable - "Lightning deals" rotate every few hours ### 9. Return Reality Before buying, know: - Return shipping often costs more than item value - "Free returns" has exceptions (electronics, hygiene) - Dispute window is 90 days from purchase - Open disputes BEFORE protection expires - Photo everything when it arrives ### 10. Cross-Platform Decision | Buy on Temu When | Avoid Temu When | |------------------|-----------------| | Disposable/trendy items | Need item in <1 week | | Price difference >50% vs Amazon | Safety-critical (electronics, car parts) | | Low-risk categories (decor, accessories) | Brand authenticity matters | | Willing to wait 2-4 weeks | Need reliable customer service | ## Common Traps - **Trusting "original price"** → it's fictional; compare to actual market prices - **Ignoring shipping time** → 2-3 weeks minimum; plan ahead - **Buying brands** → 99% are counterfeits; don't expect Nike for $5 - **Skipping photo reviews** → text reviews are mostly fake; photos reveal reality - **Missing dispute deadline** → 90 days passes fast; document issues immediately - **Small orders without free shipping** → shipping can exceed item cost; batch orders

path: pricing.md
content: # Pricing Strategies — Temu

## Understanding Temu Pricing

### The "Discount" Illusion
Temu's "original prices" are fictional. A "$100 → $15" item was never $100.

**Reality check method:**
1. Search same product on AliExpress
2. Check Amazon/eBay for similar items
3. Google image search the product
4. True "discount" = difference from other platforms, not from listed original

### Price Fluctuation Patterns

| Pattern | When | Strategy |
|---------|------|----------|
| Flash sales | Multiple times daily | Check every few hours for target items |
| New user coupons | First 7-30 days | Stack with flash sales for max discount |
| Category promotions | Rotate weekly | Wait for your category's turn |
| Holiday sales | Major holidays | Often best yearly prices |
| Random drops | Unpredictable | Track wishlist items |

## Coupon Stacking

### Types of Coupons
1. **Welcome coupons** — New users, biggest discounts
2. **Order total coupons** — "10% off $50+"
3. **Category coupons** — "15% off Home & Garden"
4. **Shipping coupons** — Free shipping thresholds
5. **Daily check-in** — Small discounts for app engagement

### Optimal Stacking Order
```
Base price
  └─ Category coupon (if applicable)
    └─ Order total coupon
      └─ Shipping discount
        └─ Payment method bonus (if any)
```

### Free Shipping Thresholds
Typical thresholds (vary by region):
- $20-30 minimum for standard
- $50+ for "express"

**Strategy:** Batch orders to hit threshold; small single-item orders lose value to shipping.

## Cross-Platform Price Comparison

### When Temu Wins
- Generic/unbranded items (often 50-80% cheaper)
- Trendy fashion items
- Home decor, party supplies
- Phone cases, accessories

### When Temu Loses
- Brand items (counterfeits don't count)
- Items needed urgently (Amazon Prime wins)
- Heavy items (shipping kills savings)
- Items with warranty needs

### Total Cost Formula
```
True cost = Temu price 
          + shipping (if under threshold)
          + customs duties (region-dependent)
          + time cost (3-4 weeks wait)
          + return risk (often unreturnable)
```

## Seasonal Timing

| Event | Typical Discount | Best For |
|-------|------------------|----------|
| Chinese New Year | 30-50% | Plan ahead (shipping delays!) |
| 11.11 Singles Day | 40-60% | Best yearly prices |
| Black Friday | 30-40% | Good, not best |
| Summer sales | 20-30% | Seasonal clearance |

**Warning:** Shipping during major Chinese holidays can add 2-3 weeks delay.


path: reviews.md
content: # Review Analysis — Temu

## Identifying Fake Reviews

### Red Flags (Likely Fake)
- Generic praise: "Great product!", "Love it!", "Fast shipping!"
- Posted within 24-48h of product listing
- Perfect grammar + no specific details
- Same review text across multiple products
- Reviewer has only 5-star reviews
- Stock photos or no photos at all

### Green Flags (Likely Real)
- Mentions specific measurements: "fits like medium US, not large as listed"
- Shows product in real environment (not studio shot)
- Notes both pros AND cons
- Includes comparison to expectations
- Reviewer has mixed rating history

## Review Analysis Workflow

### Step 1: Filter
1. Sort by "with photos" only
2. Focus on 3-4 star reviews (most honest)
3. Search keywords: "actual", "real", "true to size", "warning"

### Step 2: Check Consistency
Compare what reviews say about:
- Actual size vs listed size
- Material quality vs description
- Color accuracy vs photos
- Durability after use

### Step 3: Red Flag Keywords
```
"Not as pictured" → expect different product
"Smaller than expected" → size runs small
"Cheap material" → ignore "premium" claims
"Fell apart" → poor durability
"Smells like chemicals" → potential safety issue
```

## Minimum Thresholds

| Risk Level | Orders | Rating | Photo Reviews |
|------------|--------|--------|---------------|
| Low risk (decor, basic) | 100+ | 4.0+ | 10+ |
| Medium risk (clothing) | 500+ | 4.3+ | 50+ |
| High risk (electronics) | 1000+ | 4.5+ | 100+ |

Items below these thresholds: proceed with extreme caution or skip.

## Photo Review Analysis

### What to Look For
- **Lighting**: Real home lighting vs. studio = more trustworthy
- **Backgrounds**: Varied backgrounds = multiple real buyers
- **Quality**: Slightly blurry phone photos = authentic
- **Angles**: Multiple angles of same item = thorough buyer
- **Wear photos**: After 1 month photos = durability proof

### What to Avoid
- Identical angles across reviews
- Professional-looking product shots
- Photos that match listing exactly
- No context (floating product on white)


path: scams.md
content: # Scam Detection — Temu

## Types of Scams

### 1. Counterfeit Brands
**Pattern:** Brand-name items at impossible prices.

| If You See | Reality |
|------------|---------|
| Nike shoes for $15 | 100% counterfeit |
| Apple accessories for $3 | Fake/dangerous |
| Designer bags for $20 | Knockoff |
| Branded cosmetics 90% off | Potentially harmful |

**Rule:** If a brand item is >50% cheaper than retail, it's fake. No exceptions.

### 2. Bait-and-Switch
**Pattern:** Main listing photo differs from actual product.

**Detection:**
- Scroll through ALL product photos, not just hero image
- Check if product photos are consistent
- Read 1-star reviews for "not as pictured"
- Reverse image search main photo

### 3. Size Manipulation
**Pattern:** Sizes listed don't match reality.

**Detection:**
- Never trust S/M/L — check actual measurements
- Search reviews for "actual measurements"
- Assume Chinese sizing (1-2 sizes smaller than US/EU)
- Electronics: check voltage compatibility

### 4. Quality Bait
**Pattern:** Product looks premium in photos, arrives as garbage.

**Red flags:**
- Only professional/studio photos
- No buyer photos in reviews
- Material description is vague ("high-quality material")
- Price too low for claimed quality

### 5. Dropship Arbitrage
**Pattern:** Seller doesn't have product, orders from different supplier.

**Detection:**
- Seller has random unrelated products
- Stock photos only
- Very new store (<30 days)
- Shipping from unexpected country
- Long delays before tracking appears

## Detection Checklist

Before buying any item over $20:

```
□ Price compared to AliExpress/Amazon
□ Checked seller store age (>6 months)
□ Read 10+ photo reviews
□ Searched for "actual", "real", "warning" in reviews
□ Verified measurements against reviews
□ Checked if brand item = counterfeit risk
□ Reviewed return policy
□ Calculated true total cost
```

## Post-Purchase Protection

### Document Everything
1. Screenshot listing at time of purchase
2. Screenshot seller promises
3. Video unboxing (for disputes)
4. Photos of any defects immediately

### Dispute Timing
- Report issues within 90 days
- Open dispute BEFORE protection expires
- Escalate if seller doesn't respond in 48h
- Temu generally sides with buyer on documented cases

### Red Flags Post-Purchase
- Tracking number doesn't work
- Tracking shows "delivered" but nothing arrived
- Item significantly differs from listing
- Seller asks to "close dispute for partial refund"

## High-Risk Categories

| Category | Scam Risk | Why |
|----------|-----------|-----|
| Brand anything | VERY HIGH | Counterfeits |
| Electronics | HIGH | Safety, compatibility |
| Cosmetics | HIGH | Ingredients unknown |
| "Medical" devices | EXTREME | Safety hazard |
| Car parts | HIGH | Safety critical |
| Supplements | EXTREME | Not regulated |

## Low-Risk Categories

| Category | Why Safer |
|----------|-----------|
| Generic decor | No brand to fake |
| Party supplies | Low stakes |
| Basic tools | Obvious quality |
| Phone cases | Easy to assess |
| Stationery | What you see = what you get |


Security scan verdicts — ClawScan: clean | static analysis: clean | VirusTotal: clean | SkillSpector: clean (LOW)