Do not buy anything from AliExpress

I've ordered from Aliexpress several times in the past and have always received what I ordered. Most recently, it arrived within a few weeks instead of the typical very long wait, and that's even during the pandemic. Like eBay or any marketplace, the onus is on you to choose the sellers and gauge the risk, and/or contact Aliexpress support if the items don't arrive on time. Like so many of these 'do not buy from x' threads, your experiences are not representative of the norm. Sadly doesn't stop people from making these sorts of threads that don't really provide any useful information. I just hope that it doesn't become the typical catchall thread for Aliexpress as these sometimes can, especially when the person who posted the thread in the first place is unlikely to return to RFD.

Agree with the other person.

I've been buying from AliExpress for years and very few issues other than it does sometimes takes a long time to receive. The problem is not with AliExpress in many cases, it's Canada Post who's holding up the package.

Just a FYI, they don't deliver like Amazon does. It could take a couple or weeks to even a couple of months.

One bad experience doesn't mean the whole site is trash. I've made over 100 orders on Aliexpress. Received probably 98% of them.

I just installed a replacement Lenovo laptop keyboard I purchased from AliExpress... couldn't be happier with them... so I can't agree with your blanket statement.

The shipping can be very long and frustrating - sure. The fact it is buying from China isn't something I love - but to boycott AliExpress over that when everything I buy off the shelves here is made in China anyway... seems futile and ridiculous...

I have been buying from aliexpress for a few years, and have no issue with them. Yes, sometimes items might get lost in the mail, but you will get your money back if you open a dispute with them. If you have not received your items, contact the seller. They can extend the ordering period before it runs out. Alternatively, you can just open a dispute before the deadline and go from there. Make sure you check the seller rating too prior ordering so that you are not ordering from the "scam" sellers.

coldercanuck wrote: ↑Do not buy anything from AliExpress and its Vendors. AliExpress and its Vendors are SCAMMERS.

I'm another person who's bought dozens of items from AliExpress (including 2 packages now in transit) who has never been burned. Once in a while the quality has been disappointing. But that's rare.

Many ads are like click bait, lure you in with unbelievable prices and then have nothing at the posted prices.

Many ads offer several options for variants of the item itself as well as ship-from locations. The prices therefore vary accordingly. But generally I've found that the bottom line prices including shipping are quite consistent over several sellers and usually half or less the price of what Amazon or eBay sell for.

I have bought products from 3 separate Vendors and have not received any product whatsoever. But when you go and track packages, all are shown as delivered.

Did you contact the seller and/or AliExpress? What did they say?

If you need something right away then don't aliexpress it. If you can afford to wait 2 to 3 months then go for it.

I order my kid fake pokemon cards all the time. And I get 3d printer parts from there often without issue. Expect 2-4 weeks delivery.

often the item you click on has "color" or "size" to indicate item type.

You need to buy from vendors with an overall rating of *at least* 4.7+ Anything less & you will likely be filing a dispute in a few months time.

You need to (generously) rate your vendors because they rate you & your track record on the site is used in disputes. The higher your personal rating, the more likely a dispute will be found in your favour.

This is the dumbest thing I heard of.

All sites have bad sellers but overall Aliexpress is amazing if you can wait for it to come.

I been pretty impressed recently as I got some items in only 2 weeks.

Ordered various things from them for years, haven’t had any issues. It takes a while to arrive but otherwise no real issues. Most vendors responds pretty quickly if you have any questions too. Of course note I do avoid new sellers or sellers with limited reviews (same as eBay). Rather pay slightly more for the same listing if it’s from a seller with a lot of reviews vs no reviews.

PROTIP: File disputes on time!

I got burned because one seller kept stalling while acting friendly and assuring me that the item was shipped, and later that they would give me a full refund "in a few days", then that they were sorry for the delay but my refund still was getting processed. Finally they told me to file a dispute through AliExpress... just as the deadline for me to do that had passed. AliExpress chat was useless at that point.

It was thankfully a very low value purchase but it illustrates not to trust the sellers. File those disputes as soon as something fishy starts happening.

Mercury048 wrote: ↑ PROTIP: File disputes on time!

I got burned because one seller kept stalling while acting friendly and assuring me that the item was shipped, and later that they would give me a full refund "in a few days", then that they were sorry for the delay but my refund still was getting processed. Finally they told me to file a dispute through AliExpress... just as the deadline for me to do that had passed. AliExpress chat was useless at that point.

It was thankfully a very low value purchase but it illustrates not to trust the sellers. File those disputes as soon as something fishy starts happening.

Then file a chargeback with your credit card issuer! And on time as well!!!

Mercury048 wrote: ↑PROTIP: File disputes on time!

Yep. Early on, I let a deadline pass because it was Chinese New Year's. As soon as the seller is clear, they want nothing to do with you. (It was only a couple of bucks, so no big loss.)

Mercury048 wrote: ↑ PROTIP: File disputes on time!

I got burned because one seller kept stalling while acting friendly and assuring me that the item was shipped, and later that they would give me a full refund "in a few days", then that they were sorry for the delay but my refund still was getting processed. Finally they told me to file a dispute through AliExpress... just as the deadline for me to do that had passed. AliExpress chat was useless at that point.

It was thankfully a very low value purchase but it illustrates not to trust the sellers. File those disputes as soon as something fishy starts happening.

You could file one on paypal or your credit card even if its too late with AliExpress. I think AliExpress spams you with reminder emails too (asking if you got the order) before the deadline so there really is no excuse.

coldercanuck wrote: ↑ Do not buy anything from AliExpress and its Vendors. AliExpress and its Vendors are SCAMMERS. Many ads are like click bait, lure you in with unbelievable prices and then have nothing at the posted prices. I have bought products from 3 separate Vendors and have not received any product whatsoever. But when you go and track packages, all are shown as delivered.
Again I repeat SCAMMERS!!!

I don't buy a ton of stuff from them, but everything I have ordered arrived in good condition within the (long) time frame specified. I do manage my risk by not buying anything expensive like a cell phone from them. I have ordered great $15 military watches, special buttons, LED assemblies for my range hood, and some electronic components. So far so good, I will keep on buying stuff.

BTW one way to greatly speed up delivery and reduce the chance that the dispute deadline expires is to adjust the shipping option. The default shipping option on a lot of low cost stuff is Cainiao Super Economy Global. If you upgrade that to Aliexpress Selection Saver for about a loonie more it will usually knock a month off the delivery time as well as add better tracking in Canada. As a bonus, if you buy items from multiple vendors the shipment may get consolidated into a single package.