Stuff worth buying off Temu before the de minimis tariff exemption closes

[HoboWithAFlyRod]

PSA: the de minimis tariff exemption for parcels originating in China valued less than $800 closes May 2, so there are a few weeks to get in one last Temu or AliExpress order.

In the past I’ve ordered a bunch of slotted tungsten beads off Temu, from a brand called MUUNN. They’re alright, I’ll probably order a bunch more to stock up. Are there any specific materials or tools you’ve gotten from Temu for cheap that are decent enough for the cheap price?

 

[salmo]

Me too on the slotted beads.

 

[Trapshooter]

I use the tungsten slotted beads.

 

[salmo]

And the plastic hackle grips

 

[Broodstock]

are those the same MUUN beads that are sold on amazon? What is the price comparison?

 

[Trapshooter]

The UV epoxy resin works great.

 

[salmo]

are those the same MUUN beads that are sold on amazon? What is the price comparison?

Not sure

 

[ROVERT]

I've never bought anything from Temu or AliExpress. I buy some stuff from Amazon (mostly streamer materials looking back through my orders) and from fly shops that sell online like Ed's, the Fly Shack, and Feather Craft.

Out of curiosity, I looked at the MUUNN beads. 2.5mm black are $9.76 on Amazon and $5.76 on Temu.

 

[mt_flyfisher]

All of us can decide what’s important in making our buying decisions. Here are some things to consider in addition to price. (this comes from Google’s generative AI, which may or may not be entirely factual):

Temu faces concerns about its business practices, including potential data risks, forced labor in its supply chain, and lack of transparency regarding its labor practices, raising questions about its ethical and legal compliance.

Here's a more detailed breakdown of the concerns:

• Data Privacy and Security:
  • The US government has raised concerns about potential data risks associated with Temu, especially after its sister company, Pinduoduo, was suspended by Google for containing malware.
    
    
  • Security experts have warned that Temu's app could function as spyware, harvesting personal data and enabling surveillance or cyberattacks.
    
    • Grizzly Research has accused Temu of concealing malware and spyware in its mobile app, potentially giving bad actors access to customers' data [6].
• • Forced Labor and Supply Chain Concerns:
    • • The US House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party published a report stating that Temu does not take the necessary steps to ensure its products comply with the Uyghur Forced Labor Act, and that it exploits a US commerce loophole to avoid tariffs and regulations.
        
      • Temu's low prices raise concerns about whether they are sustainable without compromising ethical labor standards.
        
      • Some groups have called for investigations into cheap online marketplaces like Temu and Shein, citing concerns about forced labor.
        
  • Product Quality and Authenticity:
    • • Anecdotal accounts have emerged from customers who received poor-quality items or were sold fake brands.
        
      • Some tech items on the site appear to be manufactured by major companies, but are not authentic.
        
  • Lack of Transparency and Ethical Concerns:
    • • Temu's lack of transparency regarding its labor practices and supply chain raises concerns about its ethical and legal compliance.
        
      • Temu has been accused of avoiding tariffs and complying with US commerce laws and regulations.
        
  • Marketing and User Experience:
    • • Temu is known for its aggressive marketing tactics, including huge discounts and "coupon gifts" to encourage buying, which can lead to impulsive purchases.
        
      • Some users have reported issues with the app's user interface, including intrusive pop-up offers.
        
  • Legal and Regulatory Actions:
    
    • • The Arkansas Attorney General sued Temu for being "dangerous malware" [21].
        
      • Apple removed Temu from the App Store due to malware concerns [7].

 

[Trapshooter]

All of us can decide what’s important in making our buying decisions. Here are some things to consider in addition to price. (this comes from Google’s generative AI, which may or may not be entirely factual):

Temu faces concerns about its business practices, including potential data risks, forced labor in its supply chain, and lack of transparency regarding its labor practices, raising questions about its ethical and legal compliance.

Here's a more detailed breakdown of the concerns:

• Data Privacy and Security:
  • The US government has raised concerns about potential data risks associated with Temu, especially after its sister company, Pinduoduo, was suspended by Google for containing malware.
    
    
  • Security experts have warned that Temu's app could function as spyware, harvesting personal data and enabling surveillance or cyberattacks.
    • Grizzly Research has accused Temu of concealing malware and spyware in its mobile app, potentially giving bad actors access to customers' data [6].
• • Forced Labor and Supply Chain Concerns:
    • • The US House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party published a report stating that Temu does not take the necessary steps to ensure its products comply with the Uyghur Forced Labor Act, and that it exploits a US commerce loophole to avoid tariffs and regulations.
      • Temu's low prices raise concerns about whether they are sustainable without compromising ethical labor standards.
      • Some groups have called for investigations into cheap online marketplaces like Temu and Shein, citing concerns about forced labor.
  • Product Quality and Authenticity:
    • • Anecdotal accounts have emerged from customers who received poor-quality items or were sold fake brands.
      • Some tech items on the site appear to be manufactured by major companies, but are not authentic.
  • Lack of Transparency and Ethical Concerns:
    • • Temu's lack of transparency regarding its labor practices and supply chain raises concerns about its ethical and legal compliance.
      • Temu has been accused of avoiding tariffs and complying with US commerce laws and regulations.
  • Marketing and User Experience:
    • • Temu is known for its aggressive marketing tactics, including huge discounts and "coupon gifts" to encourage buying, which can lead to impulsive purchases.
      • Some users have reported issues with the app's user interface, including intrusive pop-up offers.
  • Legal and Regulatory Actions:
    • • The Arkansas Attorney General sued Temu for being "dangerous malware" [21].
      • Apple removed Temu from the App Store due to malware concerns [7].

Temu is on the Apple app store.

 

[TimMurphy]

Dear Hobo,

I bought a couple pounds of dumbbell eyes from Temu thanks to your prompt. Actually, not quite that much but several hundred in different colors that I use most often.

Thanks to you, I'm set for life! 😉

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

 

[abixler1955]

Screw China...

I do my absolute best to NOT buy anything from them...

So where do you think the beads you are buying are made?

 

[SBecker]

So where do you think the beads you are buying are made?

The same place our meat comes from. The store that sells it, duh.

 

[Kms]

I find Temu irritating. I also believe Temu may have more security issues, whereas the biggest issue with Aliexpress is that a vendor might send you the garbage (which absolutely does happen).

From aliexpress by far the best deal I’ve found is GSP thread. The Lion River brand from Icerio (others stores have this brand, Icerio was the cheapest) comes in eight or so colorfast colors and a variety of thicknesses from 30D through 200D for ~$2 or less per spool. It’s seems just as nice as Semperfli and is now the only thread I use.

Also the Kyle Booker vise tool caddy is a nice stonfo knockoff for around ~$16.

As far as beads go I’ve bought Aventik tungsten beads that are decent and other brands that were not (holes weren’t large enough or round, making them useless). But Allen beads are much better quality for not much more money.

Right now Allen beads are 50% off, or a dime a piece in size 2.4 or smaller. I would get these unless the sizes/colors you want are sold out.

Slotted Tungsten Beads

Slotted tungsten ball beads for extra sink on nymph and streamer patterns. Sold in packs of 25. Slot aids in sliding the bead on to a wider range of hook types. Bead (mm) Hook Size 5.5 2, 4 4.6 6, 8 3.8 10, 12 3.3 12, 14 2.8 14, 16 2.4 14, 16, 18 2.0 18, 20 1.5 22, 24

allenflyfishing.com

 

[HoboWithAFlyRod]

The UV epoxy resin works great.

I saw that! Like $5 for the little UV light and three resins.

 

[HoboWithAFlyRod]

I find Temu irritating.

From aliexpress by far the best deal I’ve found is GSP thread. The Lion River brand from Icerio (others have it, this was the cheapest) comes in eight or so colorfast colors and a variety of thicknesses for ~$2 or less per spool. It’s now the only thread I use.
View attachment 1641241281
Also the Kyle Booker vise tool caddy is a nice stonfo knockoff for around ~$16.
View attachment 1641241282
As far as beads go I’ve bought Aventik tungsten beads that are decent and other brands that were not (holes weren’t large enough or round, making them useless). But Allen beads are much better quality for not much more money.

Right now Allen beads are 50% off, or a dime a piece in size 2.4 or smaller.

Slotted Tungsten Beads

Slotted tungsten ball beads for extra sink on nymph and streamer patterns. Sold in packs of 25. Slot aids in sliding the bead on to a wider range of hook types. Bead (mm) Hook Size 5.5 2, 4 4.6 6, 8 3.8 10, 12 3.3 12, 14 2.8 14, 16 2.4 14, 16, 18 2.0 18, 20 1.5 22, 24

allenflyfishing.com

Hey thanks for the tip about cheap GSP thread- I really need to get some for spinning deer hair.

 

[JLB]

Buy all the cheap Chinky crap you want...

Wtf...... mods must be on vacay I guess.

 

[DaveKile]

I have been doing a lot of general warning in threads. I'm done with it and I'm tired of babysitting some people who make us do more than is needed and you know better.

 

[DaveKile]

https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/story/Article/2128446/during-wwii-industries-transitioned-from-peacetime-to-wartime-production/

Mods, please remove if links are not allowed.

Why would you post this, it's a fly tying forum.

 

[DaveKile]

I worked for Ford, and then for Fiat (which was before they purchased Chrysler, and when they owned Ferrari, along with owning approx. 600 other companies, including CHN, which is primarily an agricultural and construction equipment manufacturer, much of which was and is made in the US.

Many, if not most, consumers [and even many of their employees) have no idea where all those large companies do business, and that it is constantly changing. For example, I was involved in a US bank that we (one of those companies that I worked for) owned, another one of our companies built and sold aircraft engine components in the US, one company was located in the US and build schools in the US along with doing other US construction, and would you believe that one of our US companies even made monofilament fishing line in the US? (I could go on with other examples.)

I no longer own any truck, however I had 3 nice Ford trucks in the past few years that I often drove fishing and camped inside, and I had 2 other larger Ford trucks that I often drove to the stream, but didn’t camp directly inside the truck. (Here’s one that I kept in Montana, and camped on top of it, for example.😃)

View attachment 1641241284

My wife and I each own a Subaru Outback now, as I mentioned here earlier, and I’m trying to feel comfortable car camping and fishing in mine. Subaru Outback’s are assembled in the US with its engines built in Japan. I do not know where all of its other components are manufactured.

This is a fly tying forum!