Good Lifestyle

It seems that there are almost endless online markets these days to obtain goods at reduced prices , whether Amazon, Shein or Temu. Such a website that you may have seen more recently is Aliexpress-and that might ask you: is Aliexpress legitimate? Given the popularity of the site, we left to find the answer. Read the rest for everything you need to know about Aliexpress, including what it sells, how to use it in the most efficient and surest way, and if retail professionals consider Aliexpress as a Reliable place to shop online.

In relation: Is Shein legitimate and sure to buy?

What is Aliexpress?

Aliexpress is an online platform based in China which allows international buyers to buy goods from Chinese retailers. The shop sells everything, in a way that is no different from the Amazon, at rock prices. Aliexpress was launched in 2010 and is part of the Alibaba group, which was founded in 1999 Jack ma jack , and is the third highest e -commerce company in the world, after Amazon and PDD Holdings (owner of a scholarship holder TEMU retail giant ), according to the Insight group Electronic commerce .

Aliexpress operates in more than 220 countries, but according to a survey of Statistical consumer information Between 2022 and 2023, it is the most popular in Spain, where 38%of respondents said they bought on the site in the past year, in the Netherlands (28%), Brazil (25%), Mexico (19%) and Italy (14 percent). The site is still gaining ground in the United States, where only 11% of respondents said they bought it that year. Adatside, a buyer is much more likely to make similar purchases on Amazon, or, more recently, TEMU, who obtained a major advertising bump from his commercial ad during the Super Bowl 2023.

The difference between Aliexpress and his Alibaba Frères is a bit confusing. While Alibaba sells his goods in a business model at business prices, Aliexpress follows a consumer business model that is aimed at everyday buyers. To put it more simply: if you were to buy a pair of socks for yourself, you would shop at Aliexpress; If you were to buy 500 pairs of socks for your sock store or your online store, you will probably get a better deal in Alibaba, which has been developed with this kind of thing in mind.

How does Aliexpress work?

Aliexpress is somewhat different from traditional electronic commerce platforms. "It is better classified as an online market that connects buyers and sellers worldwide," said Jeanel Alvarado , retail expert in Dangers . "Unlike traditional retail models, Aliexpress does not hold stocks but allows sellers, often manufacturers or wholesalers, to list their products directly to customers."

To place an order, you simply access the product you want to buy and click on "Buy now". Then you enter your shipping address and payment information and click "Place the order". You will pay and generally receive your order a few weeks later.

The low prices on aliexpress lead many buyers to wonder if it is possible to buy in bulk. The answer is yes and no. Many products on Aliexpress do not allow you to add more than one quantity of product to your basket. However, some products are sold in bulk on a single product; For example, these fake eyelashes are sold in a group of 20, but count as a simple "product in your basket. You are not allowed to buy more than one of the 20 of 20.

In relation: Is TEMU legitimate? Things to know before shopping .

Is Aliexpress sure?

It depends on your definition of "legitimate". ALIEXPRESS is not a scam and will most likely give you your products or will provide you with a full or partial refund if it cannot. However, the quality of his articles is often lacking (more about this later!), He is riddled with counterfeits, and you could wait for your shipment for a (really!) Long period.

If you are concerned about confidentiality, you should also know that the site can share your information with third -party service providers, including payment processors, logistics partners, marketing partners, cloud accommodation providers and suppliers customer support.

How are items announced on Aliexpress?

When you access a product page on Aliexpress, you will notice that it looks quite like many pages of online retailers. There are photos of products on the left side and size and color options on the right, depending on what applies to the product; If you scroll, you can find criticism and notes from buyers, some of which are delivered with practical photos.

According to our experience, many product descriptions on the site are quite minimal - so if you are used to long descriptions as you will find on Amazon, you can be disappointed.

When examining the products on Aliexpress, it is wise to use a certain degree of prudence. Like many electronic commerce websites, there is always the potential for a seller to use a photo of her product which makes it of better quality than it is.

If you are rather turning in mind, beware of "brushing the scams". Speak CBC , has Drive these scams , Sellers send free products to random addresses in the hope of obtaining positive opinions. This, in turn, can distort examination results. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

Why are the products so cheap?

There are several reasons why products on Aliexpress are available at shocking prices - Consider Roll-Aboard Suitcase For $ 6.80, a Bookwatch "in stainless steel" for 99 cents, and a hyaluronic acid skin care For a simple nickel.

“Products on Aliexpress are often cheaper than those found on other e -commerce sites because customers buy products directly from manufacturers or wholesalers, allowing them to offer lower prices by reducing humans In the middle, which would generally be the online retailer or the online store, "says Alvarado.

The location of the company also comes into play. "The low cost of raw materials and production in China contributes to the affordability of goods on the platform", adds Alvarado.

Then there is the fact that some products can be false - and it may be difficult to say what they are. In a 2020 CBC investigation, Journalists found at least Two cases of counterfeit lip products, one of Mac Cosmetics and one by Kylie Cosmetics. Journalists were able to determine that they were dupes by reading the small print, where there were flagrant strikes. Even more worrying, the products contained dangerous levels of heavy metals.

Finally, commands on Aliexpress are cheaper than those of Alibaba because there is no minimum order quantity (MOQ). "On Alibaba, you have to meet the MOQ to place an order," explains Alvarado. "According to the seller, the MOQ could start as low as 5 units, up to 500 units." The need to control in bulk considerably leads to a total control value, even if the MOQ is at the low end.

Is there a buyers' protection program in place?

Given some of its shortcomings, it is important to note that Aliexpress has a Buyers Protection Program in place. If you do not receive your article or if it is "considerably different" from the description, the site guarantees a refund. Remember that the "considerably different" expression is objective, so you may have to do negotiations once you have contacted Aliexpress support to recover the money.

What does the Better Business Office (BBB) have to say on Aliexpress?

Aliexpress is not accredited by the BBB, nor considered a scam. Its current note is a D-, and 368 complaints have been filed against the online market in the last 12 months.

Many complaints concerned poor quality goods. "I thought I had ordered an Air Hogs anti-gravity racing car ... The car they sent is not the car that I bought. It does not work properly. It does not look like the one I 'I bought and nowhere on the packaging makes it mention Air Hogs, "said an unhappy customer who said he had offered a $ 10 coupon for the problem.

Others said that they had not received their product and that they were refused the reimbursement described in the buyers' protection program. "I ordered a carbon fiber tube on aliexpress.com. They sent me a notification that the item was delivered. I received none of the items I ordered, they would not provide any Follow -up number ... I followed the Aliexpress dispute process, they refused to do an investigation work on the reasons why the article was not delivered, and without any evidence to prove the opposite , they refused to reimburse me, "a customer wrote at the BBB.

In relation: Is Alibaba legitimate? What you need to know before buying .

Tips for shopping on Aliexpress

Look at your seller

The search for a seller is the best way to increase your chances of good shopping experience on Aliexpress. Alvarado says that she considers stores that are over three years old to be the most trustworthy.

"The other indicators include store credits, user reviews and total sales," she said. "Reading customer reviews can provide information on the seller's performance regarding delivery times, articles and product quality descriptions - and verification of the seller's feedback tab on his page may also Give a complete distribution of its history and customer satisfaction. "

If they get frequent complaints, go to the next seller. And for more information on the type of coverage they provide for missing or damaged items, be sure to check the seller's "guarantees" tab.

Never pay a seller directly

Log from the seller's bank account. Buying via the platform is the only way to make your purchase protection policy. When you check, a credit card can be your best bet.

"In the event that your online purchases do not arrive, you can initiate retrofing with your bank if the seller refuses to reimburse the non-delivery," explains Alvarado. However, she notes that a debit card is also sure to use on Aliexpress.

Do not confirm delivery before inspected the products

Once your order is coming and you are satisfied with it, you can go to "my orders" and click " Confirm the goods received . "If you are not satisfied, you must open a dispute within 15 days of confirmation. Do not click on the fact that you have received your order when you have not done so, or you shorten your window to open a disagreement.

Do not expect your delivery immediately

Aliexpress items travel far before their arrival at your door (they come from China) - so if you need a product to appear overnight, this is not the online shopping experience for YOU.

According to Nextsmarthip , it is generally necessary between three and five days for the seller to prepare your order and send it for shipping, and this time could be even longer if your order is personalized in any way. After that, it can take another 15 to 60 days for the product to reach you in the United States, there could also be delays and an increase in shipping costs during the holiday season.

Currently, there are three shipping options on Aliexpress: Standard, Premium and Cainiao. With Premium, your order could arrive in about seven to 15 days. Cainiao is a shipping supplier launched by Alibaba Group. The method is cheaper than the standard delivery of Aliexpress, but generally takes much more time - sometimes up to 60 days, per Freight races .

Log away from the brand and electronics

Unfortunately, these are probably poor quality false. If an article - and its price - is too good to be true, then it is probably.

Conclusion

Overall, whether or not you decide to use Aliexpress depends on the quality of the products you expect and your comfort with its buyers' protection program. During online purchases, you will want to be cautious by looking for sellers and their products. For more retail advice, visit Better life again soon.

For more purchase advice delivered directly in your reception box, Register for our daily newsletter .