Gen X and Boomers Love Temu. I Asked Them Why.

• a set of minature pots, pans, and cooking utensils

• stickers

• a fanny pack that appears like a gel silica pack

• pencil sharpeners that appear to be noses the place you stick the pencil up the nostril

• an unlicensed Elsa princess costume

• a baseball hat that claims, “girls need me, fish concern me”

• a pizza cutter wheel that appears like an axe

All this stuff had been below $10, most of them round $2 — and so they had been absolute hits as items. I assumed that many individuals shopped on Temu the best way I did: on the lookout for bizarre, stunning, low cost delights that I by no means even knew existed.

I used to be shocked after I learn a analysis research not too long ago that mentioned that Gen X and boomer Temu consumers tended to spend barely extra per order and positioned orders extra usually than youthful consumers. My assumption was that Temu was focused extra at millennial and Gen Z consumers.

So I requested readers who had been boomers or Gen Xers to jot down in and inform me: Why do they love Temu a lot?

Over 125 folks despatched me emails professing their love (okay, properly, typically reluctant appreciation). Again and again, folks gave the identical motive: the costs.

One other theme emerged, as properly: that individuals had been utilizing Temu for purchases they’d beforehand purchase from Amazon. This shocked me. I’d have guessed completely different behaviors for Amazon (looking for particular gadgets you want) vs. Temu (searching for delights).

Then again, some mentioned they preferred it due to that searching whimsy — here is a gimzo you by no means knew existed! — component. In semi-recent historical past, these had been the belongings you’d discover wandering by Mattress, Bathtub & Past (now out of enterprise) or late-night TV infomercials.

The analysis research advised that a few of Temu’s enchantment to older consumers was its gamified spinny wheels, which could trick much less digitally savvy folks. The Gen X and boomers denied this — most of them mentioned they ignored the annoying roulette wheels.

This is what just a few Gen Xers and boomers informed me, beginning with a client who mentioned Temu triggers nostalgia:

My father used to have a kitchen drawer stuffed with knickknacks or some junk he’d discover from a TV business (As Seen On TV commercials). Temu brings again that nostalgia for me plus I discover gadgets that genuinely makes life a little bit simpler. Loads of it turns out to be useful. Many of the occasions, they’ve one thing that you simply by no means knew that you simply wanted, like bag sealers and small movement activated lights. —Tyrone

A boomer with a Temu “dependancy:”

For the primary time in my life I’ve an dependancy. I can not for the lifetime of me clarify why I’ve a have to order from Temu. Sure, I am a boomer. Sure, I’ve a giant home that I’m by no means transferring out of. 35 yrs in the past we crammed it with antiques. Then got here infants and it was crammed with toys and so on. They’re gone & then got here the canine with all of the canine toys, beds, bowls, crates and so on. Canine is gone after 15 years and now I see issues I feel I would like on Temu. It began with seeing little toys to fill the grandkid’s Christmas stockings. Now it is simply uncontrolled. —Linda

A kindergarten trainer who does not thoughts the standard:

I’m a 58 12 months outdated lady from the Toronto space who loves Temu. Sure I do know the merchandise are principally fabricated from inferior supplies and are from China, however I discover the costumes jewellery, dwelling decor and items for my kindergarten college students and teenage children are priceless (ha ha pun meant!)

I’ve bought in all probability about $300 of stuff over the previous 12 months and I’ve solely been disenchanted with one product: a cute little cat ring that I purchased for my son. It wasn’t even near being as cute as marketed, however for $3.50, what would you like? —Lanie

A crafter who will get jewelry-making provides:

I store on Temu principally for jewellery, crafting and jewellery provides. I should buy them on Temu for lower than half of what it might value me to purchase the very same factor on Amazon or Etsy. My newest obsession is the Pandora type bracelet charms. I’ve a bracelet stuffed with charms, the most costly one was $13. It might have value a pair hundred {dollars} if I’d have purchased them on Amazon or instantly from the producer. —Lydia

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A DIY dwelling enchancment shopper:

Nearly all of my purchases have been tenting or dwelling enchancment gadgets. No tchotchkes! A random sampling of what I’ve bought are: photo voltaic/handcrank emergency radio, pop-up privateness shelter, photo voltaic water heater, emergency foil blankets, fold up cookstove, privateness window movie, brass winterizing valve set, backyard netting, microwave splatter defend, and houseplant watering system. —Randy

An engraving hobbyist who will get his instruments from Temu:

We moved into a brand new flat and found Temu whereas looking for stuff we wanted to adapt the brand new place: lighting fixtures, ceiling followers, wall holders for cleaning soap/shampoo/sponges, mild fixture for multi-ceiling mild to higher match eating/front room area, different utilitarian stuff for kitchen … This is Temu stuff for dwelling craft work, together with instruments & protecting mat for engraving/lithography, particular tape for collages, stamp press device, mini paint rollers… (plus an unrelated 4-way mild cable splitter). Value possibly $15 in all? — Invoice

The boomer who does not thoughts off-brand gadgets:

As Boomers we do not place a lot emphasis on carrying title model clothes and accessories.  Our focus is on saving cash to take pleasure in different actions and pay our payments. Additionally, the comfort of buying on-line. — Helen