Temu'd! My R500 laugh: Why not every investment needs to make cents

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What happens when an evening of TikTok doomscrolling meets the need for a cheap pool cleaner? A digital spiral into the Temu Black Hole.
In this humorous reflection, our middle-aged family man shares his experience of falling down the massive online retailer's rabbit hole. After being lured by a too-good-to-be-true price on a cordless robotic cleaner, he details the deliberate process of wheel spins, winning coupons, and impulse buys.
Two weeks later, the package arrives, bringing with it a hilarious reality check: chair covers instead of chairs, and water pressure connections instead of the whole unit.
This episode is a reminder that not every decision is optimised for the spreadsheet. Sometimes, the R500 cost is a worthwhile investment in joy and a good laugh shared around the family table.
23 Nov 2025 11PM English South Africa Society & Culture · Society & Culture

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