Pro Tip: Check Temu

[QuarterMillionMan]

For all the Temu haters check this comparison, 18" x 12" stainless steel cutting board from Temu $13.81.

extra large stainless steel cutting board double sided thick - Temu

vs Ebay's $22.99

Titanium Cutting Board Double-Sided Titanium Cutting Boards for Kitchen Camping | eBay

[ua_guy]

Both of them are probably junk. From sharp edges to failing titanium coating, subpar stainless steel - notice how they don't list the grade of stainless. Do they follow FDA guidelines? Did you know there were even FDA guidelines for cutting board materials? Why not buy something nice and made in the USA from a place like Sur La Tab?

[QuarterMillionMan]

I did read one review about sharp edges but easily fixable with coarse grit sandpaper (ie, 100 grit, 200 grit, 400, etc) or I have numerous metal files to smooth out any sharp edges.

[disneysteve]

I did read one review about sharp edges but easily fixable with coarse grit sandpaper (ie, 100 grit, 200 grit, 400, etc) or I have numerous metal files to smooth out any sharp edges.

I don't want to buy a brand new item that I need to immediately fix or alter to make it usable and safe. I'd much rather spend a few dollars more and get one that's made correctly.

[QuarterMillionMan]

This will make disneysteve & ua_guy happy, the stainless steel cutting board did have a splinter which I felt by dabbing my finger along the edges but easily fixed in 5 minutes by sanding it. I know as disneysteve said when buying new items why would I want to have to fix it but for $13, I have no problem fixing it.

[ua_guy]

This will make disneysteve & ua_guy happy, the stainless steel cutting board did have a splinter which I felt by dabbing my finger along the edges but easily fixed in 5 minutes by sanding it. I know as disneysteve said when buying new items why would I want to have to fix it but for $13, I have no problem fixing it.

I don't think it makes me or anyone else "happy", but we did warn you. Filing off a sharp edge doesn't fix the problem that it's likely cheap stainless and will begin rusting eventually. Or, who knows what other metals are in there....

[disneysteve]

I don't think it makes me or anyone else "happy", but we did warn you. Filing off a sharp edge doesn't fix the problem that it's likely cheap stainless and will begin rusting eventually. Or, who knows what other metals are in there....

Agreed. That doesn't make me happy at all. It makes me angry that they're allowed to sell such poor quality and even dangerous items like that. The old adage that you get what you pay for is often true.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Another example to check Temu as James recommended. At first I was going to order this 6 tier shelf with wheels from ebay for $109. But figured to check Temu and found the exact same dimensions 82" x 46" x 18" for $75 with free 2 shipping.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Temu doesn't carry everything. I had to buy a Braun replacement foil replacement head for $15 from eBay just now. A Temu search had 0 results. The current shaver head was scratching my face and upon closer inspection the foil head was torn and the metal was cutting my skin.

[disneysteve]

QMM, you can't compare apples and oranges. Unless those two wire racks are the identical brand and model, the price difference is meaningless. Those things come in a wide range of quality. You can pick one up at Walmart for maybe $75 or Lowe's for $300. They certainly aren't the same. The Lowe's one will be far better quality, higher grade metal, greater weight capacity, etc. Now granted you don't always need top quality. It depends on how you plan to use it, but you can't just blindly buy based on the lowest price because to a large extent, you get what you pay for.

[QuarterMillionMan]

I concede disneysteve was right the shelf is not as good quality as I thought it would be. I have another similar shelf where the support poles are about 1" in diameter so I was expecting the same. This Temu one the support poles are about 1/2" in diameter which seems flimsy. And the metal shelving is weak and bulges with heavy items such as a floor jack or 5 gallon Igloo orange water cooler filled with water. I have to position the Igloo water cooler to sit near the edges where it can support more weight. I like the caster wheels which can roll out to sweep dust in the future. My other one doesn't have casters which I'll look into if I can buy just the casters for it.

[disneysteve]

I concede disneysteve was right the shelf is not as good quality as I thought it would be.

Did you truly expect the Temu item to be the same as the one from a mainstream retailer? Did the listing give specifications that would have prevented that mistake? I've never shopped on Temu so I'm not familiar with their format. Did it state size or thickness of supports or weight rating for shelving or anything like that?

[ua_guy]

I concede disneysteve was right the shelf is not as good quality as I thought it would be. I have another similar shelf where the support poles are about 1" in diameter so I was expecting the same. This Temu one the support poles are about 1/2" in diameter which seems flimsy. And the metal shelving is weak and bulges with heavy items such as a floor jack or 5 gallon Igloo orange water cooler filled with water. I have to position the Igloo water cooler to sit near the edges where it can support more weight. I like the caster wheels which can roll out to sweep dust in the future. My other one doesn't have casters which I'll look into if I can buy just the casters for it.

Try Harbor Freight for a set of casters. It's like TEMU for tools and hardware, but they have a brick & mortar presence. You can feel the cheapness before you decide to buy it.

[disneysteve]

Try Harbor Freight for a set of casters. It's like TEMU for tools and hardware, but they have a brick & mortar presence. You can feel the cheapness before you decide to buy it.

Harbor Freight is a great store. My late cousin was a car guy and very handy around the house and he had a ton of tools from HF. I got them all when he died and I've been pleased with the quality. I've since gone there a few times to buy things for myself rather than hitting Lowe's. Overall quality is probably a bit lower but still very functional for routine use. Maybe not the place to go if you're a contractor and are hard on your tools but for anyone else it can really save you some money.

[ua_guy]

Harbor Freight is a great store. My late cousin was a car guy and very handy around the house and he had a ton of tools from HF. I got them all when he died and I've been pleased with the quality. I've since gone there a few times to buy things for myself rather than hitting Lowe's. Overall quality is probably a bit lower but still very functional for routine use. Maybe not the place to go if you're a contractor and are hard on your tools but for anyone else it can really save you some money.

I enjoy Harbor Freight. When everything is coming from overseas anyway, HF usually offers a good value for things, as you said, that are good enough. Some of their stuff is truly competitive, and for the stuff which may be a little less robust, there's usually a significant price advantage. That's what I appreciate about being able to walk into one of their stores. It gives me the opportunity to evaluate if what I'm buying is something I'd rather go trusted/name-brand, or if it looks/feels like it will work well for my needs I'll buy it there. Can't do that with TEMU (or even HF's website).