Last Updated on September 27, 2022
The majority of vendors are trustworthy, as with every e-commerce platform, but there are always dishonest merchants looking to transform it into a do-or-die affair and take advantage of innocent and ignorant shoppers.
In light of this, learning the right safety measures for AliExpress purchases will help you avoid being duped into purchasing low-quality goods and losing your money. This article is specially set to discuss that.
What is AliExpress and how it works?
AliExpress is a Business-to-Consumer corporation that offers goods to customers all around the world on an online platform, most of which are created in China. Small businesses and Chinese manufacturers can sell goods to customers directly on AliExpress.com. The online market acts as Alibaba’s retail division and was created primarily with buyers in mind.
AliExpress does not create any products to sell. However, it serves as a marketplace that connects producers or vendors, particularly from China, and buyers from around the world. When conducting business online or shopping on AliExpress, AliExpress takes care of everything. Customers who want to purchase inexpensive goods frequently turn to this website. Nearly every sort of tangible goods are offered by it.
You cannot request a free sample on the website as this is against AliExpress and other eCommerce platforms. The fact that products are offered in practically every category at prices that are much cheaper than those of any other online marketplace in the world is arguably one of the most enticing and unique features of AliExpress.
Read more about: Why AliExpress so cheap?
How to order from AliExpress?
Ordering products from AliExpress is easy for everyone, even if you are not tech-savvy. The website is very easy to navigate and has a good user experience. As much as this is so easy, there are a few things you need to know before shopping on the website. Below are a few guides on how to order from AliExpress.
- Visit Aliexpress
From your phone or laptop, go to your web browser and search for www.aliexpress.com. Hit the “Enter” button and it will direct you to the website’s homepage. You will see something like this:
- Register
To register is to create an account on AliExpress and this is very easy. Go to the account section on the top right corner of the homepage:
Once you click on the “account” icon, a new page will show up. Click on the “register” button.
After you click on “register”, you will have two options: to register with your email address or other options that will be shown to you.
If you already have an account with AliExpress, you can simply click on one of the options under “or continue with”.
Put your email address and password in the appropriate text boxes now, then click “Create Account.” Make sure to include a working email account that can be accessed right away.
After completing the process, AliExpress will send you a verification email with a four-digit verification code.
After checking your email and entering the code, press the “Verify Email” button. You will be taken straight to the home page of AliExpress by doing this. Alternatively, you might log in later with the same confirmed email.
You can try again if you don’t receive the code by selecting “Resend code.”
Search for the items you want on Aliexpress
Now, you have an account with AliExpress. To see what your account looks like, go to the “account” section of the homepage where you will see things like
My orders: which is where you can track the orders you have made.
Wish list: This is where you can add goods you might need to buy at a later time. It is easy to see your wish list, just click on the “wishlist” section.
My favorite stores: You can locate any AliExpress retailer that you have made your favorite when purchasing here. If you anticipate visiting a specific store regularly to make purchases, this choice is best for you.
Next, go to the “Categories” option which is found on the homepage’s left side. To assist you to locate the goods you want to purchase from AliExpress, a variety of categories are available below.
Many subcategories are shown when you click on any category. Hovering the mouse pointer over the “phones & telecommunications” option, for example, will display the subcategories if you are looking for phones.
To browse thousands of items in the same market, click on any subcategory under the main “phones & telecommunications” category.
Let’s say you want to buy android phones, click on the “Android Phones” subcategory.
A lot of android phone types will be displayed.
The “Search Bar” is a different method of conducting a product search and may perhaps be the simpler method. You can browse several products within the same market category using this search bar.
Just enter the item’s name and press the “Enter” key on your keyboard to proceed.
Take the case of purchasing iPhones. To see related products, type the name into the search box.
Select the desired product options
Let’s say you typed “running shoes for men” into the search box. Choose the product with the highest ratings and most sales by looking for the ratings and units sold statistics on the product thumbnail.
Keep in mind to do as instructed because the seller’s dependability is guaranteed by these ratings. Additionally, vendors with the best-selling products will display a badge.
When you click, a new page appears with information on the same product you selected, like the size, colors, and brand.
Your product’s color and size can be selected by clicking. As an illustration, this product is offered in red, blue, lemon, and black. And at the moment, sizes 35 to 46 are offered for the item.
In this illustration, a single pair of men’s running shoes in the size 43 in the color black red is chosen.
After selecting, choose your shipment method by clicking the option below for shipping details.
You can choose from a variety of shipping options after selecting, and you’ll also see how long it should take a courier company to deliver the package.
As an illustration, the “Ship to” dropdown menu’s “United States” option displays a list of available shipping options along with information on projected delivery times, costs, and parcel tracking.
Click on a shipping method and continue.
After finishing the preceding steps, use the “Add to Cart” button to continue.
How to add product to shopping cart?
Additionally, add the item to your “Wishlist” by clicking the “Heart” icon if you intend to purchase the same item in a few days but are concerned that you may lose the link.
After you click “Add to Cart,” a fresh window will open.
If your shopping is finished, click the “View Shopping Cart” button. But if you want to keep shopping and add more items to your cart, click the “Continue Shopping” option.
Please note that the “View Shopping Cart” option has been chosen to continue the transaction.
Inside the shopping cart
You will be taken to the “Shopping Cart” page after clicking the “view shopping cart” symbol. Here, you can check the choices you made again.
To view a change in the “Order Summary,” check the box next to the relevant item.
Now select “Checkout” from the menu that appears below the order summary.
Choose shipping method and Add Shipping address
After selecting “Checkout,” you will be taken to a page with shipping information. To add your shipping and billing addresses, select “+Add new address.”
Click “Confirm” button after this step.
After saving it, your mailing address will be shown immediately.
Choose payment method
To view the payment choices available on AliExpress, click the “Select payment method” button.
Then choose your desired payment method and enter your information appropriately.
Place your order
Click on the “place order” button.
That is it. You have made your first AliExpress purchase.
Common AliExpress Scams
There are scams you should avoid on AliExpress after learning how to shop on the site. The common scams on AliExpress you should avoid on the platforms are discussed below:
PayPal Scams
This usually occurs when you want a refund from a seller. The seller may ask you to do the following:
- The vendor tells you to resolve the issues and assures you of a refund via PayPal.
- You consent to end the dispute and provide him with your PayPal information.
- On PayPal, it appears that you actually receive a refund.
- The vendor waits until the buyer’s warranty has run out.
- The vendor performs a chargeback through PayPal. The chargeback is being made due to “non-delivery of goods or services.”
- According to PayPal, this was a payment from the seller to you rather than a refund. Therefore, you were required to offer items or services that you did not. And the seller filed a complaint against you with PayPal.
- Due to the expiration of buyer protection, you may no longer file a claim on AliExpress. You leave empty-handed.
How to avoid
As a suggested remedy, never settle your dispute. Refunds from PayPal should never be accepted.
Read more: Paypal payment method on Aliexpress
Request to Reorder with $0.01 price
This happens when a merchant purposefully forgets to ship the initial package and then offers to send it again by requesting you to place another order.
- You reorder after falling for the seller’s deception.
- The vendor reduces the price of the new order to $0.01
- They send the replacement order, and you receive a new tracking number.
- The original product’s buyer protection expires.
- You open a claim after receiving a damaged or missing item, and you are given a $0.01 refund.
- Due to the buyer protection period expiring, you forfeit the exact amount you paid for the initial order.
How to avoid
Open the disagreement on the initial order every time.
Read more about: Aliexpress Order Closed Issue
Incorrect Shipping Method
- You receive the item from the vendor through a low-cost delivery service.
- To receive your goods on time, you select an expensive delivery option.
- The merchant sends you a package via a standard delivery service that is clearly cheap or free.
- The extra funds saved by the transportation method are kept by the seller.
How to avoid
To get the additional delivery price reimbursed, file a dispute. But only after you have got the package undamaged.
Fake Tracking Number
- AliExpress offers a terrific discount on something you purchased.
- All appears to be alright after the vendor provides a tracking number.
- The tracking unexpectedly indicates that the shipment was delivered, but you received nothing.
- In the event that the tracking indicates that it was delivered to another location, you may be able to dispute the delivery and use the tracking as support for your claim.
- You frequently don’t have such good luck, and you wind up without any items or money.
- In reality, the seller didn’t send you anything; instead, they offered you a tracking number for a different consumer. Once the genuine package is delivered, your order will likewise be recognized as completed.
How to avoid
Use a tracking screenshot as evidence when filing a dispute if the tracking indicates the delivery location. Don’t forget to mention how distant the delivery location is from your address in the dispute text.
You currently have little choice but to accept your loss if the tracking information does not reveal the current location of delivery. Choose your sellers with considerably greater care the next time.
Read more about: Tracking number issues
How to Buy from AliExpress without Scam?
Every product on AliExpress that is cheap doesn’t mean they are fake goods. Understanding how to purchase from AliExpress without scam will help your buying journey on the site.
Buyer Protection System
The buyer protection policies on AliExpress provide assurances that the buyer will receive a refund if the requested product doesn’t arrive within the buyer protection period or if the items don’t fulfill the required specifications. In other words, as a consumer, you are guarded against AliExpress frauds like a damaged shipment.
The buyer protection program is two folds: Firstly, If the item is not as represented by the seller if the package does not come within the expected time frame, or never arrives at all, you are entitled to a refund.
Secondly, you can get a half refund if you choose to keep the goods despite the fact that they don’t match the description.
Within 10 to 15 days, all refunds are sent out.
Disputes on AliExpress
Buyers must file a complaint if they want a refund. Three main steps are typically included in the process:
- To raise a concern, speak with the seller: The choice can be made either before the order is finished or 15 days after it has been. Don’t wait until the 15-day window has passed since in this situation if the vendor won’t work with you, you are helpless. At this point, you can talk to the seller about the issue and attempt to find a way out.
- Create a dispute ticket within the last 15 days before the order is completed. If you and the seller are unable to reach an agreement during the first stage, the process then becomes formal at this point.
- Involve AliExpress as a middleman: If you were unsuccessful in resolving the disagreement at the second stage, you can seek assistance from AliExpress.
Use Safe Payment Methods
The main AliExpress payment methods are Credit card, PayPal, and iDeal. The first two options are recommended because they carry the lowest fraud risk. Credit card and PayPal scams on AliExpress are extremely unlikely to occur. The most popular approach, though, is using a credit card because each purchase earns a user reward points.
Paying through AliExpress is a must. Avoid sending the money straight to the seller’s bank account. You are not covered by AliExpress’s buyer protection in this situation.
Read more: Is it safe to pay by Credit card on Aliexpress?
Find a Reputable Seller
Finding a trustworthy supplier is the simplest method to avoid using the refund and dispute process. It makes using AliExpress to place orders considerably less stressful. You’re significantly less likely to experience issues if the merchant has served thousands of happy customers in the past.
Examining a seller’s past is the most obvious technique to verify them. Click the “Feedback” tab to view a detailed breakdown of any seller’s profile.
A percentage of positive reviews and a feedback score are given to each merchant. The total number of ratings, expressed as points, makes up the feedback score. One point is deducted for each four and five-star rating, one point is added for each three star rating, and one point is subtracted for each one and two-star rating.
Check Branded products
To avoid legal issues when purchasing and selling items on AliExpress, you must determine whether a product is trademarked on the marketplace by searching the USPTO trademark database. Enter the brand into the search bar at https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/search.
The brand is trademarked if it can be seen on the USPTO website. The majority of name brand goods sold on AliExpress are typically fake. As a result, the likelihood of phony goods increases if you notice brands like Nike, Apple, or Gucci.
If you intend to resale the item online and it has a mysterious brand that you have never heard of, make sure you are not infringing on any trademarks by checking the trademark database.
Read more about: How to find fake brand on AliExpress
Check delivery time
The majority of goods are supplied from China. However, if you’re lucky occasionally you can locate a product that can be shipped from a local delivery service provider in your country. The most popular and affordable shipping services are China Post or AliExpress standard delivery. From the time your package was delivered, delivery takes between 15 and 45 days.
On the other side, delivery via the premium AliExpress shipping service happens in just 7 to 15 days. The shipping fees are more expensive than the first two, and this should be made clear.
Read more about: AliExpress Shipping time
Check Seller Guarantees
Many sellers may offer additional warranties in addition to those offered by AliExpress, such as “On-Time Delivery,” which entails a return in the event that the package is not delivered by the scheduled time. You can return the item and receive a full refund if it doesn’t match the description under the heading of Returns and Refund.
Some companies allow domestic returns, which saves you money on shipping and customs by allowing you to send the items back to the warehouse located in your country.
Buyers may also receive certain protections from sellers. Generally speaking, the more assurances offered, the more assured you can be about your purchase. Once more, it makes AliExpress a more trustworthy retailer. All these factors are worth noting as you shop on the site.
Check Your Order Right Away
You might not remember your AliExpress order by the time it arrives since shipping from China takes a while. However, you should immediately check for quality issues after receiving it. Keep in mind that the delivery window is the only time during which buyers are protected.
If you receive garbage in your shipment, make sure to thoroughly inspect it and act right away. In the absence of that, you might have to turn to Paypal or your credit card provider to raise a dispute.
When the product is delivered, you have the option to confirm the receipt. After receiving the product, don’t verify your receipt right away. Check to determine if it performs as promised and meets your standards. You shouldn’t confirm your receipt unless you’re pleased. You should have no trouble buying from AliExpress if you keep these suggestions in mind and take proper precautions.
Is Aliexpress safe?
To shop on AliExpress is safe. Without this, it wouldn’t have millions of users and be one of the most well-known online retailers in the world. Thousands of orders are successfully processed and dispatched to clients all around the world each day.
Each user receives automatic implementation of all safeguards. As a customer, you are exempt from further action. You’ll be secure buying anything from AliExpress as long as you go through the website directly.
The website has a standard e-commerce paradigm. When you make a purchase on the website, you receive a tracking number that you may use to follow your package and request a complete refund if it is delivered damaged, behind schedule, or never at all.
Is Aliexpress legit?
Despite certain limitations, the vast majority of items on AliExpress are authentic. The fact that AliExpress is run by the Alibaba Group, one of the biggest online corporations in the world, proves that it is credible. The legitimacy of AliExpress, like that of the majority of online marketplaces, mostly depends on how ethically the platform’s individual traders conduct themselves.
How Alitools helps you with safe shopping on Aliexpress?
Consider installing the Alitools browser extension, which will hunt for the seller, reviews, best deals, and also help you buy online.
Using only trustworthy AliExpress sellers is made easier with Alitools. Verifying the seller might help you avoid unreliable vendors. A reputable seller will promptly deliver your purchase, while a seller with a bad reputation will send you a cat in a bag. The AliExpress seller check is fully automated.
The Alitools extension allows you to search AliExpress for precisely the quality products you need. You may easily locate the item in the photograph using AliExpress’ image search by simply clicking on it. No more wasting valuable time by persistently searching for what you enjoy.
Additionally, you can monitor the delivery of your purchases. The parcel from China can be tracked with the aid of Alitools. Postal tracking works with China Post ePacket, AliExpress Standard Shipping, and other shipping options.
Conclusion
Ordering from AliExpress is easy if you apply common sense in following the AliExpress shopping guide given in this article. Do not be afraid to order things on AliExpress. Regardless of the few cases of unscrupulous sellers on the platform, AliExpress still remains the number one online shopping platform in the world.
FAQs
How long does it take to get an order from AliExpress?
AliExpress Premium Shipping has an expected delivery time of 7 to 15 working days, while AliExpress Standard Shipping typically takes 15 to 45 working days.
How do you order from AliExpress?
Simply sign into your account at www.aliexpress.com, browse for the things you wish to purchase, add them to your shopping basket, proceed to the checkout, choose your shipping and payment choices, track the delivery, and then verify that your order arrived to you in good condition.
How do I not get scammed on AliExpress?
Comparing prices: Despite the fact that AliExpress is renowned for its low pricing, it is wise to avoid the very alluring offers. Items with absurdly cheap pricing are probably fraudulent or of extremely poor quality.
Check reviews and ratings: With this, you can see those who have purchased goods from a potential customer before you.
Check the seller guarantee tab: If you want to know if the seller will look out for your interests, look at the “Seller’s guarantees” option. On-time delivery, returns and refunds, and domestic returns are a few examples of these.
Do you need an account to buy on AliExpress?
Before making your first purchase on the website, you must first register for an AliExpress account.
Why is it cheaper in AliExpress?
Direct customer sales are made on AliExpress, eliminating the middlemen. Manufacturers sell directly to you and they keep the prices low as a dropshipper.
Is AliExpress for personal use?
In a general view, users who go to AliExpress to shop for products do so for personal use. The AliExpress account created is by an individual and AliExpress sees it as a personal one.
