AliExpress review

AliExpress

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Last verified 18 Sep 2020

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What you can buy from AliExpress

AliExpress claims to stock millions of products. It’s designed to be a one-stop shop for almost everything — from clothes to vehicle replacement parts and more. You’ll find off-brands here, allowing you to land significant discounts. But in some cases, name-brands like Apple, Disney, Adidas and others are available.

Sizing guide

Shipping, payments and returns

Can I get free delivery?

It depends on the individual seller. Shipping is handled by third-party merchants and distributors around the world, so shipping costs and times will vary. Before you check out, you’ll select your country and shipping method to determine cost.

You can track your order on the AliExpress website. Click Customer service at the bottom of the page. On the next page, scroll down to Self service and select Track your packages.

Payment options

If you’re shopping on the AliExpress mobile app, you can use these payment methods:

Returning your order

AliExpress guarantees a refund if your order never arrives or it’s significantly different from its description.

Since various third-party retailers sell goods through AliExpress, the return policy for each item varies. In most cases, you’ll have at least 14 days to request a refund.

Some sellers choose to offer domestic returns, an extra return policy that allows customers to return their items domestically to their country — as long as they’re unused and still in their original packaging. When domestic returns is available, you’ll get an extra 15 days to decide if you want to keep the product or send it back for a refund.

Check the specific return policy on the product page of the item you’re looking to buy before purchasing.

Can I exchange for a different color or size?

It depends on the return/exchange policy of the individual seller. Contact the seller to request an exchange.

How do I return an item to AliExpress?

To begin the returns process, log into your AliExpress account and locate your order. Then, click Open dispute, fill in your refund request and click Submit.

If the seller agrees to your refund request — or doesn’t respond within five days — the refund will be processed. You can check the status of your dispute by clicking Check dispute progress in the self-service box on the customer service page.

The return address will depend on your location. So be sure to follow the instructions provided during the dispute process online to ensure your package gets where it needs to go.

What sets AliExpress apart?

AliExpress connects buyers and sellers from all around the world. You often have access to items at factory or wholesale price, helping you save on in-store markups or fees. There have been some complaints of cheap or counterfeit goods being unknowingly purchased. But with a little caution, this can be avoided.

Is AliExpress legit?

Yes, AliExpress is a legitimate shopping destination and belongs to the larger AliBaba Group. The group held its initial public offering (IPO) on the New York Stock Exchange in September of 2014, becoming the largest IPO in history.

Are items sold on AliExpress genuine or fake?

AliExpress provides a marketplace for individuals to sell goods, so the site is not able to individually vet or screen all items. This means that occasionally lower quality or counterfeit items may slip through the cracks. If you’re not satisfied with an item, you can get a full refund through AliExpress Buyer Protection.

Are AliExpress scams common?

Most of the reviews online from AliExpress customers report no issues with scams — but that doesn’t mean they can’t or don’t happen. To avoid most common scams, keep these tips in mind:

• Look for the seller rating before purchasing an item. You can also see the number of reviews and the number of items sold to make sure it’s not a scam.
• Avoid ridiculously low prices, especially on luxury brand goods. If you see a price that looks too good to be true, it probably is.
• Only pay for items through AliExpress. If a seller asks you to send money, contact AliExpress and do not send payment directly. This is in violation of the company’s payment policy.
• Consider seller feedback. All sellers on AliExpress receive feedback for their service. If they have very low feedback, this could be a red flag.

How can I contact customer support?

AliExpress doesn’t have a customer service number. Instead, you’ll have to sign into your AliExpress account and open an inquiry through its online customer service form.

Bottom line

AliExpress has a wide range of products available from third-party sellers. While you can usually score great deals here, you have to be on the lookout for potential scams or fake items.

If you’d like a similar range of discount items, consider these other sites similar to AliExpress.

Frequently asked questions

• Is it safe to buy from AliExpress?

  Generally, yes. While scams or counterfeit goods are rare, they can happen. If you do fall victim to a scam, assuming you have followed the AliExpress rules, you’ll be covered by the Buyer Protection program. This provides you with a full refund if your item is counterfeit, not as described or fails to arrive.

  In some categories — including jewelry and electronics — you can receive up to three times the amount you paid.

• Is there an AliExpress app?

  Yes! The AliExpress Shopping app is free to download from the App Store and Google Play. Shop on the go with the app — when you sign up, you earn coupons up to $100.

• What's the difference between AliExpress and Alibaba?

  Alibaba is a platform for wholesale trade, while AliExpress is a retail marketplace. This means that Alibaba is suitable for manufacturers or trading companies that trade in large order quantities, while AliExpress caters to individuals.