Cheap places... and they're changing everything

[Jinaiji]

In Europe, we have places like "TEMU." I'm not sure if you have these unbelievably low-priced stores from China in the United States, but they are significant competitors to all local businesses. The price is unbeatable, delivery quick, etc. Please search for invitations there; you might find some of yours as well, like this one:

URL to invitations 

Stores like this are also a major threat to Etsy. Only customers who seek real quality (for example, not a plastic jumper but a genuine cotton one) and something truly special (like a unique wedding invitation) will continue to be our customers in the future. It seems that's the direction things are heading. Therefore, I fully understand Zazzle's approach. We need to elevate our work even more. Not only must we create unique designs, but we also need to showcase their uniqueness through compelling images, videos, etc. to attract customers right from the first look.

[Mariholly]

Well, you said it, we make better designs, we make better descriptions, covers, etc., and then we find our design on one of these pages, so who protects us after making the videos, the covers, the descriptions.... I think it's like trying to fence in the open fields.... Just my opinion

[MOM]

At least I haven't seen ads on Zazzle for Temu recently so that's a great step into the right direction. Temu (and similar venues) are a huge threat for us (if now in Europe or in the States or Canada etc.) and they (Temu and Co) are only getting bigger (here in the US as well). Sigh.

[ThankYouAlways]

I agree with you all and it seems you can change region and shop in the US and many other countries too. I think there are other companies that are similar to them around too with very low prices. I also agree that Zazzle offers sophistication in style and descriptions, along with covers and videos.

[Barbara]

People reviewing Temu products are all over YouTube, and those reviews and examples tell how exceedingly bad the quality is. It's yet another example of "you get what you pay for." Yes, there are those who are easily lured in by cheesy cheapness, but I suspect those aren't the same folks who shop on Zazzle. I doubt Temu or others like them can affect us here except that those shoppers may think twice about repeating their mistake.

Zazzle appears to be doing their best to compete, but I think it's with the current economy. They're bringing in new products--a good idea. If only they'd advertise those products more often, letting people know the huge variety available here. Maybe a switch in focus to more than just "events."

Colorwash's Home

[Wildart]

Temu is in China, and avaialble internationally. Of the items I have bought only one thing has not performed or met quality standards. I for one, am loathe to pay as much in postage as the item (that is, from USA!!) So am forced to look elsewhere for stuff I cannot buy in my own little country(New Zealand) ,far away from anywhere :):)  However, I wouldn't look for printed items, I would do them myself haha. I am glad I do very few invites...

[Barbara]

You've been lucky. I've even learned to beware of companies that outsource their manufacturing to China. We just had to throw out a vacuum made there, but then there's my Cuisinart processor (also made in China) which is a sweetheart. Regardless, once burned, twice shy, and Temu has had a huge amount of bad press. I doubt they can steal much business from Zazzle.

Colorwash's Home

[Kanzaki]

Not the first time something like this has happened. Years ago I had a thriving video game business on ebay, then the pirates from places like China & Thailand started showing up with their half priced knock-offs that started eating away at my sales. There's just no way to compete with these guys. Once you let them in, they'll come in huge waves like opportunists during the days of the gold rush.

[Barbara]

Before joining Zazzle, I was a special-effects creator for a specific brand of video software, which was eventually pirated mostly in Vietnam. A group of them started stealing from a competitor friend, she managed to go after them, and the result was that they hacked her site, pretty much destroying it. Odd that they destroyed their own source. The software company ended up wiping out all of the thieves by remodeling themselves into being totally online.

There are many such tales, enough so that those of us experiencing it are loathe to deal with certain other countries.

Colorwash's Home

[Connie]

Yes, we unfortunately have Temu here in the US, also. (China's taking over the world!)

Is Temu actually stealing designs from Zazzle, or just offering cheap options with their own designs?

One thing that Zazzle has that Temu doesn't is allowing people to see the invitation before they log in. Temu won't let me see anything unless I sign up or sign in, which I'm certainly not going to give them any information! I'm hoping most potential buyers will just click away when they find out they have to sign up just to SEE a product!

[ievajen]

Governments going to introduce measures to fight Temu and Shein to support local businesses, EU only talks so far South Africa from 1 July  -45% import duty + VAT; Pinterest blocking them as spam

[orientcourt]

Same here in Australia! Don't think it will be any easy task though🙄

[blushroses]

yes, this is the key for our low sales... but i this Zazzle will shine again - they are sooo smart