AliExpress has become a popular online marketplace for customers looking for affordable products. However, many are still skeptical about its safety and legitimacy. In this article, we will provide a detailed guide on how to buy from AliExpress safely without getting ripped off. We will cover everything from what AliExpress is to hidden costs such as import taxes.
Firstly, we will explain what AliExpress is and why it is so cheap. Then, we will address the most common concerns of customers, including whether AliExpress is safe and legit to buy from. We will also provide tips on how to buy from AliExpress and what to do if the product quality is not good enough. Finally, we will discuss the hidden costs of AliExpress, such as import taxes, and conclude with our thoughts on AliExpress’s safety and legitimacy.
Key Takeaways
- AliExpress is a safe and legit online marketplace.
- Customers can buy from AliExpress safely by following our detailed guide.
- Hidden costs such as import taxes should be considered when purchasing from AliExpress.
What is AliExpress?
AliExpress is an online marketplace that belongs to the Alibaba Group, one of the largest eCommerce companies globally. It allows independent sellers, small businesses, and factories to sell their products directly to individual customers worldwide. However, mainland Chinese are not allowed to purchase from AliExpress, and instead, they need to shop from a separate marketplace.
Advantages of buying on AliExpress
- AliExpress offers inexpensive products, and most of them come with free shipping.
- AliExpress provides a safe payment method and effective buyer protection.
Disadvantages
- Some products with free shipping may take longer to reach the buyer.
- Not all sellers accept PayPal.
- Some sellers may take a few days to send the order to the carrier.
- There is a risk of counterfeit products on AliExpress.
Overall, AliExpress can be an excellent option for individuals looking for affordable products, but buyers should be aware of the potential risks of counterfeit products and delays in shipping.
Why is AliExpress So Cheap?
AliExpress is an online retail platform that offers a wide range of products at low prices. There are two possible reasons why the products on AliExpress are so cheap.
Watch out for Counterfeit Products on AliExpress
One possible reason is that buyers can purchase products directly from Chinese manufacturers, which reduces the cost of the products. China’s production costs are much lower than other countries. However, this can also lead to inadequate enforcement of intellectual property laws, which can result in counterfeit products being sold on the platform.
It is important to watch out for counterfeit products on AliExpress. Many branded products are manufactured and exported from China, and some factories will sell “spare parts” on AliExpress. Imitations are non-branded products made with the same mold or pattern. These can be as good as the official brands, or they can be none.
Why Do AliExpress Products Have Such A Bad Reputation?
Another possible reason why AliExpress products are so cheap is that the platform has a bad reputation for selling worthless junk. This is due to unrealistic expectations from buyers. When purchasing from a U.S based retail shop, buyers can expect good quality because of the quality control process that is followed. However, AliExpress is a retail market where factory manufacturers sell their products, and there is very little quality control. As a result, sometimes buyers may receive low-quality or even fake products.
There is no known brand on AliExpress, and products come from different business communities, so quality standards vary. To avoid getting a fake product in your mail, it is important to be cautious when making a purchase on AliExpress.
AliExpress vs Alibaba
Many people think that Alibaba and AliExpress are the same, but they are two different parts of the same business. Alibaba is good when it comes to selling private label products, and buyers can find various sellers on this platform to make customized packaging for their products. However, if buyers are thinking of drop-shipping, it’s better to go with AliExpress as it offers cheap products. This platform usually attracts newbies in eCommerce, but it takes longer shipping time.
It is difficult to choose which platform between the two surpasses the other. The fact is, it all depends on the buyer’s needs. The following table makes a detailed comparison of Alibaba vs AliExpress:
| Difference Between AliExpress vs. Alibaba | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Mode of Business | Caters for both business to business and business to consumer setting (AliExpress) / Caters for the business to business (Alibaba) |
| MOQ | There is no minimum to order quantity (AliExpress) / Have a minimum order quantity whereby there is a set of requirements on the quantity a buyer can make (Alibaba) |
| Pricing | Product prices are listed with no room for negotiation (AliExpress) / Product prices are not fixed (Alibaba) |
| Risk of quality | Customers get what the supplier offers, hence higher quality risk (AliExpress) / Buyer product knowledge is provided hence reducing quality concerns (Alibaba) |
| Custom design | Does not custom make products (AliExpress) / Provides a platform whereby suppliers offer custom-made products and can even private label products per request (Alibaba) |
| Product availability | The process is not time-consuming since the products are already manufactured (AliExpress) / It takes time for the products to reach the customer (Alibaba) |
| Mode of shipping | Goods are in most instances shipped by air freight (AliExpress) / The sellers and buyers get to decide the mode of shipping to be used (Alibaba) |
| Profit model | Demands a certain percentage of commission on the sales made (AliExpress) / Charges a certain amount of membership fee for the suppliers (Alibaba) |
| The User Group | AliExpress mainly focuses on wholesale and retail, and suppliers can also have companies or individuals, buyers are mainly aimed at foreign small traders or final consumers (AliExpress) / Alibaba suppliers or sellers are mostly trading companies or factories with export business, and most of the buyers are foreign buyers (Alibaba) |
| Member Fee | AliExpress users can register for free, and the commission rate is mainly charged. The profit model of Alibaba is mainly charging users a membership fee (AliExpress) / (Alibaba) |
| The Payment Method | On AliExpress, users can use Alipay to do online transactions. The payment method of Alibaba generally involves relatively large amounts. Users can choose TT or LC offline transactions (AliExpress) / (Alibaba) |
| AliExpress Alternatives | Dunhuang, Banggood, DX, Taobao, Light up the box, 1688 |
If the order volume is between AliExpress and Alibaba, it is recommended to try to buy from 1688. However, buyers may encounter some challenges.
AliExpress is Safe and Legit to Buy from
Is AliExpress Safe to Do Drop shipping?
AliExpress is a safe platform for drop shipping, but it is not recommended for long-term business models. The quality control, long shipping process, and poor customer support can make your business unattractive. However, there are still a lot of cheap products worth buying on AliExpress. You just need to search in-depth to find the best products.
The Big Danger of AliExpress: Fraudsters-AliExpress scams
AliExpress and Alipay are secure systems that prioritize customer security and record-keeping. Your information is safe and will not be leaked, unlike other service providers like eBay. While eBay is a comparable marketplace to AliExpress and offers a wide range of products, AliExpress products tend to be cheaper due to the lower labor cost in China. However, it is important to check other websites to determine the current prices of the items you want to buy to ensure that the prices on AliExpress are not too low. If the prices are extremely low, you may have purchased a counterfeit product or have been scammed. To stay safe when fraudsters and scammers appear during your purchase on AliExpress, you can use the following method.
Is AliExpress Payment Safe?
AliExpress provides reliable payment protection for buyers, making it safe to use credit cards or PayPal. The escrow system allows you to withhold payment before receiving the order, ensuring that all items are included and look like the items you ordered. If you are buying branded items, they will not look fake. After marking the product as “received,” you still have 15 days to dispute the product. It is important to note that you should never pay offline. If your debit card has been used fraudulently, contact your bank as soon as possible to report the unauthorized transactions.
How Long Does AliExpress Shipping Take?
The standard AliExpress delivery time is usually 20 to 60 days, but the average arrival time for most items can reach about two weeks (not free shipping). If you do not have an update for your tracking number after 10 days, contact the seller. You will not be able to open a formal non-delivery dispute before the maximum delivery time is exceeded. If you cannot receive the package for any reason, AliExpress will give you a full refund. To ensure safe delivery of expensive items, it is recommended to pay additional fees for insurance or guaranteed delivery instead of choosing free postage. AliExpress consolidation warehouse service can also collect small shipments into larger, more economical shipping loads destined for similar destinations.
Overall, shopping on AliExpress is safe as long as you are careful and realistic. If a product does not reach on time or is of poor quality, take advantage of your buyer protection by contacting AliExpress customer support or opening a dispute ticket. AliExpress provides reliable payment protection for buyers, making it safe to use credit cards or PayPal. However, it is important to check the prices of items on other websites to ensure that the prices on AliExpress are not too low. Finally, to ensure safe delivery of expensive items, pay additional fees for insurance or guaranteed delivery instead of choosing free postage.
How to Buy from AliExpress?
1. Choose Sellers With Positive Feedback:
When buying from AliExpress, it is important to evaluate the suppliers to ensure a safe purchase. A common rule for evaluating sellers is to buy from those who have 95% or higher positive ratings. The ‘Feedback Score’ indicates the seller’s performance and the satisfaction level of the customers. However, it is important to note that a seller with a lower feedback score may still be trusted. Additionally, it is recommended to consider the number of working years the store has been on AliExpress. To find positive feedback sellers, products can be sorted by seller rating.
2. Compare the Prices:
AliExpress offers products at low prices compared to competitors, but it is important to compare prices of different suppliers before making a final decision. If several suppliers offer a particular product at the same price, but one of them has a significantly lower price, then this may indicate that their products are not genuine. The filtering tool can be used to find high or low priced products and make a decision accordingly.
3. Check for Product Authenticity:
Identifying genuine products on AliExpress can be difficult due to the large market, but there are ways to ensure a quality purchase. Checking seller and product feedback is the best way to ensure a quality product for the price. If both the seller and product have high ratings, then it’s a good decision to buy. Checking the seller’s other products can also indicate authenticity. If a seller is offering more than one type of product, it’s likely to be authentic compared to those who are new. Checking for seller guarantees on the product is also important.
4. Communicate with AliExpress Supplier Before Making Any Purchase:
Communication with a seller is key to ensuring a quality purchase. It is recommended to communicate with a seller directly, not on AliExpress. Writing all requirements to the seller, clearing doubts, and asking about the item’s specification details can help make an informed decision.
5. Pay Attention to Supplier’s Responsiveness:
It is important to figure out how attentive a seller is. Sending a message to the seller and seeing how long they take to respond can indicate their responsiveness to their business. Keeping track of local China time (UTC +8) is important before reaching out to a seller.
6. Negotiate Prices on Bulk Orders:
When buying in bulk, most sellers on AliExpress offer a small discount for bulk orders. Understanding pricing and negotiating with the seller can result in a better deal.
7. Read Full Item Details/Description Carefully:
Reading the product details and description is essential before placing an order. Useful information is often included in the product’s detail section, such as clothing material or manufacturing material.
8. Look for Seller Guarantees:
Checking for seller guarantees is crucial. Looking for the ‘Guaranteed Genuine’ tag when purchasing something can ensure a quality product. If the product is still defective, a full refund, including the shipping cost, can be obtained. Checking for seller guarantees can help take advantage of this tag in case of any quality issue.
9. Check AliExpress Delivery Times:
AliExpress is based in China, so 80% of products are shipped from China suppliers. Generally, it takes around 28 days for shipping if a cheap shipping option is selected. However, it could be faster if a little more is paid.
10. Check AliExpress Order Right Away:
Checking the AliExpress order as soon as it arrives is important to ensure quality. Buyer protection lasts only until the duration of the last estimated time, so filing a dispute that day is necessary if any issues arise. Taking immediate action once receiving the order can prevent having to resort to filing a dispute with the credit card company.
What to Do If the Product Quality Is Not Good Enough from AliExpress?
Receiving a poor-quality product from AliExpress can be frustrating, but there are steps that can be taken to address the issue. Here are some options to consider:
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Ask if it’s a manufacturing error: If the product is not up to par, it could be due to a manufacturing defect. Contact the seller to inquire about the issue and see if they can make up for it in the next order. If the product has already been delivered and the product description and photos are accurate, AliExpress may not provide refund assistance.
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Negotiate a partial refund: If returning the product is not feasible, negotiating a partial refund with the seller may be an option. Keep in mind that scoring the product with a low rating may limit the bargaining power. It is essential to evaluate the product objectively and provide feedback accordingly.
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Consider hiring a third-party inspection company: Due to the risks of poor quality products, many businesses hire third-party inspection companies to ensure quality. Search for “third-party inspection China” to find companies that can provide this service.
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Initiate a dispute: AliExpress Buyer Protection allows buyers a 60-day timeframe to initiate a dispute or request a refund. If the product is not as described or is of poor quality, a dispute can be initiated to receive a refund.
It is important to note that litigation in European or American courts may not be feasible for Chinese companies, so it is best to explore the options above before considering legal action. Additionally, if a payment has already been made, the chances of receiving a refund may be limited, especially for big sellers with a lot of reviews.
Returning the product to China may also incur additional costs, and tracking items shipped back to China is unreliable. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate the situation and consider the best course of action before taking any steps.
Hidden Costs of AliExpress: Import Taxes
Import taxes can be a significant hidden cost when buying from AliExpress. Most countries impose import taxes, which are a percentage of the value of the goods being imported. In the European Union, for example, this tax is typically around 20% and is levied on all commodities. It is the legal responsibility of the buyer to pay these taxes.
Transportation companies will often pay the import taxes on behalf of the buyer and then issue a bill, along with a processing fee. Many sellers on AliExpress try to avoid import taxes by marking packages as low-value “gifts,” which is illegal. However, unless the buyer is trying to commit large-scale fraud, this is unlikely to cause any trouble.
Buyers should be aware that express delivery companies such as DHL have stricter regulations and will not carry packages marked as gifts. If a buyer wants to import something deliberately without paying tariffs, they will need to use the slow free shipping method. In this case, the buyer must consider the additional 20% of the cost to be paid when the goods arrive before releasing the package.
To avoid unexpected costs, buyers should learn their country’s duty and tariffs policy before making purchases on AliExpress. It is important to factor in the cost of import taxes when comparing prices between AliExpress and other online retailers. By understanding the potential hidden costs, buyers can make informed decisions and avoid any unpleasant surprises.
AliExpress is Safe and Legit Conclusion
Despite its less-than-stellar reputation, AliExpress is a safe and legitimate platform to purchase from. To ensure a positive shopping experience, it is essential to have realistic expectations and to promptly inspect received items for quality issues.
Buyer protection is effective only within the delivery window, so it is crucial to file a dispute immediately if any subpar or defective products are received. Delaying this process might necessitate resorting to filing a dispute through PayPal or credit card companies.
AliExpress is similar to shopping on eBay, except that all the products are unbranded. The marketplace comprises a diverse mix of individuals, small businesses, and factories selling their wares online. It is important to note that well-known and recognized brands are typically absent on AliExpress, and even if you come across them, there’s a high likelihood they are counterfeit.
To minimize the risk of being swindled and losing your money, AliExpress provides buyer protection and the added safeguard of PayPal or credit card protection. However, maintaining quality control can indeed be a challenge, as a product listing image can only convey limited information.
By going beyond online reviews and shopping wisely, customers can have a positive experience on AliExpress. If you need a product sourcing company to help you buy from AliExpress, there are options available.