I have had way better service from Temu on many returns than anything i have had from Takealot TBH. Returns have been credited instantly, goods have actually been collected and some instances they just told me to keep the faulty goods and credited me. Takealot fight with me for weeks.
Thats pretty good service and I can assure you that given that they are my go to for everything right now. Searching on temu and Aliexpress is my go to for anthing
FWIW I have worked out that most of these guys locally were actually just sourcing from China anyway and doubling the prices. And the suport is better from the merchants directly as they happily swap out or let you return. Why not just go direct?
Goods I get from them or have gotten Temu/Aliexpress:
Bib shorts - Max approx R 600 - Ciovita R 2k to start with. I can buy 3 sets and have some change for a jersey for every one Ciovita.
Jerseys - R 250 to R 300 - again R 1800 to R 2300 locally. Many cool quirky designs for R 250 a jersey.
Small pocket pump - R 640 vs Ryder selling the same thing for R 1400. Works brillinatly
Saddles - 3 D printed carbon saddes R 1k vs R 4k locally.
Clusters - 12 speed clusters R 1200 - okay the shifting and ramps arent magical and they clunk a bit, but 12 speed NX clusters R4k to R 12k. Even at R 2k you can get two for every original Sram cluster,
Chains - as per above. Brand name chains.
Lights - back lights and front lights. Top quality - same as shops.
Motorbike kit from Aliexpress. This is a very long list and its brand and model specific. All at about a third to a quarter of the price. I literlaly ship for specific bits for my Triumphs, and the Thruxton isnt a common model.
Screens Givi R 2600 - Aliexpress R 800 - needed some twaeking but its great
Handlebar risers - again a third of the price.
CE certifed body armour and riding pants.
Cell phone bar mounts - knock off of Quadlock for R 200 versus R 3000 for the vibration damped ones.
Custom bits like valve caps, sticker kits, anodised oil dipsticks - like R 60.
Bits like engine covers for specific models - Triumph Thruxton - radiator guards, front axle bobbins etc.
I have even had some of these delivered by the local post office in paarl - takes time but gets through. All tracked.
I truly do not uderstand the luddites and naysayers that dont get that you are being ripped off by local guys doing the import and adding fat margins - acting as middlemen. You are willingly handing them your money. No other way to stack it, and they are grinnnig and screwing you.
I am not a rich man, but I can tell you that the brand name watch still only tells the time. The bags still only carry goods. Sworks is basically a paint layer on a stem in most cases the difference is so marginal the only reason you buy it is the pose value.
Luxury is IMO the biggest con in the world and the truth is you all fall for it. Keeps you spending money on goods you dont need to impress people who dont matter and the chinese are making most of the worlds luxury brands anyway.
Never mind looking at whats happening in the car market. Jetour is selling more than Audi, BMW, Merc and Mazda in SA already. Same is about to happen in bicycles with Chinese road bikes. BYD have their own ships.
Watch whats going to happen with Avinox and ebikes - they have democratised ebikes. You can buy a Top spec Outer bike locally with an Avinox motor for R 180 k whereas the Sworks Levo or Levo R with less power is almost double the price. Sorry - which part of this dont I understand?
Wake up.
