What Is AliExpress? Should We Conduct Purchases On It?

Key Takeaways

• AliExpress is a large B2B ecommerce marketplace based in China that allows sellers worldwide to sell various products directly to consumers globally.
• As a seller, some fees are associated with selling on AliExpress, but they offer different payment plans. 

In this article, we’ll explore the ins and outs of AliExpress and consider factors like seller reviews, payment methods, and buyer protection policies to determine if it provides a safe experience for international shoppers.

AliExpress: Overview

AliExpress is a leading B2B e-commerce marketplace based in China. It functions similarly to major platforms like Amazon and its parent company, Alibaba, allowing suppliers worldwide to sell their products.

AliExpress has emerged as a leading online marketplace by satisfying changing consumer preferences for value and convenience. Its advantages for buyers and suppliers explain its substantial growth and reputation as a significant B2B retail force.

Currently, users can shop AliExpress in numerous languages, including English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, and Dutch. This broad language support allows the platform to serve a diverse global audience.

AliExpress: How To Start Selling ON AliExpress?

To illustrate the process, let’s say you want to sell electronics on AliExpress. First, you must complete the seller registration. AliExpress requires merchants to apply for an Alipay business account for handling transactions.

AliExpress requires merchants to apply for an Alipay business account 

Required fees

The reality is that as a formal business venture, an annual technical service fee is mandatory. However, AliExpress does offer some perks with enrollment. Namely, payment plan options are available depending on your intended operation period for the year.

Sellers who maintain active status yearly qualify for an annual refund bonus. AliExpress keeps this incentive achievable by exceeding expectations – through consistently excellent customer service.

While fees are incurred to officially register as an AliExpress merchant, various rewards and bonuses are attainable through solid customer satisfaction delivered continuously throughout the yearlong membership period.

Category Registration

Completing the merchant access system process is an essential next step. You can upload a complete product list and choose an online store template matching your business model.

Specifically, AliExpress emphasizes legal transparency, so this involves trademark verification. Your mark must be registered per local laws. They reserve reviewing, approving, or rejecting your submitted trademark before finalizing payment and setup.

Additionally, sellers can include their official brand name on a shop management page. A secondary webpage URL, like a subdomain, helps guide potential customers directly to individual stores – though a separate application is required.

Like third-party ecommerce platforms, AliExpress tools allow customizing storefront aspects such as uploading quality product images, variants, and detailed descriptions to enhance conversions. Accessible features equip merchants to market and showcase their inventories online effectively.

AliExpress: What To Buy On This Platform?

AliExpress offers extensive diversity, with countless product categories ranging from electronics to toys, fashion, furniture, accessories, books, and beyond. Products within each niche are thoughtfully organized, giving access to multiple supplier options that sellers can vet through research before financial commitment. 

Importantly, readily available customer reviews from past orders provide valuable insight from real user experiences with various suppliers. AliExpress accommodates a vast assortment of goods across many industries. 

Various research tools empowering informed decisions place merchants in a solid position to identify and source quality inventory tailored to meet diverse marketplace demands.

AliExpress: Payment Methods

While chip-enabled credit and debit cards are commonly used, the AliExpress mobile app offers additional payment options beyond just CMV cards.

AliExpress Pocket

You may have encountered AliExpress Pocket during the checkout review, also called Alipocket. AliExpress developed this proprietary gift card program. You can purchase prepaid cards of varied amounts like $50, $20, or even $10. Significantly, the wallet system seamlessly transfers balances to your account with ease.

As the owner of this payment infrastructure, AliExpress further streamlines the process of sharing access. If you need to provide funds to employees for purchases, transferring gift cards between accounts is simple and effortless.

Alipocket vs. AliPay

At first glance, AliPay and Alipocket seem similar due to their affiliation with AliExpress, but they function independently. Now that the gift card system Alipocket is explained let me detail AliPay.

Predominantly, AliPay operates as another convenient mobile wallet comparable to PayPal. In contrast, Alipocket requires loading funds to purchase prepaid cards. Foreigners can open an AliPay account through email without a Chinese bank account. 

As ecommerce globalizes, AliPay flexibly adapts as an almost indispensable virtual payment platform for international shoppers. While most AliExpress sellers don’t accept PayPal currently, some protect buyers through PayPal’s purchase and claim guarantees if the seller allows it – though contacting them first is wise to verify.

AliExpress: Dropshipping

Dropshipping requires minimal capital as merchants don’t hold inventory or a physical shop. Instead, orders placed via the online store are shipped directly from suppliers to buyers. 

Apps like DSers allow importing products to one’s store and adjusting prices for profit margins. Syncing seamlessly with Shopify, products can be automatically imported without cost. 

This streamlines testing multiple product types to determine what sells best. AliExpress suppliers are often resellers, so they grasp dropshipping logistics intricately. With proper utilization of such applications and AliExpress’ supply network, those new to ecommerce can establish a fruitful dropshipping business with reduced barriers to entry.

How to Get Started With AliExpress Dropshipping

Candidly, with thousands of supplier options on AliExpress, finding a profitable product niche is very doable. Those not attracting solid sales can easily be replaced with fresh offerings since inventory is optional upfront. 

A precise product concept is fine – adjustments allow the eventual selection of strong performers thanks to low financial commitment.

An online storefront is ideal for testing, with platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce, or WooCommerce providing cost-effective starting points through basic monthly plans around $29 to upgrade later as the venture grows in scale and success. 

AliExpress facilitates flexible trial-and-error to establish customers’ desires, giving entrepreneurs a tool to tweak and learn without sizable risk as demand and best sellers emerge.

If you don’t want your customers to know you’ve dropshipped the items from AliExpress?

Given their long-standing involvement, most AliExpress suppliers have a firm grasp of dropshipping logistics. Buyers can request items be shipped without a receipt to maintain the privacy of the sourcing arrangement. 

Furthermore, suppliers avoid adding promotional materials by default, aware that orders may be end-customer packages rather than direct business transactions. 

Seasoned AliExpress merchants recognize drop shipper needs correctly, excluding branding or invoices that could reveal the utilized business model. Their familiarity with acting as intermediaries in this manner facilitates a seamless dropshipping process.

AliExpress: Refunds and Returns

To begin with, note AliExpress won’t fully refund under two scenarios – if the order wasn’t received due to an incorrect address provided by the buyer or if customs caused delays beyond the seller’s control. 

In contrast to other marketplaces, only one dispute can be filed per order on AliExpress to receive a refund or return. It’s best to gather all facts supporting a specific disputed order. Shipping terms depend on the product – some sellers cover return shipping costs after agreeing to the return. 

AliExpress allows domestic returns, benefiting buyers and sellers if items are unused, in original packaging, and sealed intact. Returns must be in resalable condition to qualify under the policy. Make sure to understand criteria like sealed packaging, which determines if items meet standards for refunds or returns.

Pros:

There are several advantages to making purchases on AliExpress, given its affordable product selection, delivery policies, and security features. 

• Firstly, AliExpress is renowned for offering low prices on thousands of goods directly from Chinese manufacturers, allowing buyers to save significantly compared to other retailers. 
• Additionally, most standard items qualify for free shipping delivery, removing any stress of unexpected transport fees at checkout. Shoppers also benefit from reliable payment options like AliPay and PayPal that protect financial information. 
• Lastly, AliExpress implements robust buyer protection policies like order tracking and dispute resolution support. This adequate protection ensures customers can dispute issues and potentially receive refunds or replacements if order problems arise.

With both cost savings and security assured, it’s no wonder AliExpress has become a trendy global online marketplace.

Cons:

• While free shipping saves money, buyers should know that transit times may be longer than paid shipping options, as items are often shipped via slower standard mail from China. Depending on location, delivery could stretch over 2-4 weeks. 
• Additionally, not all AliExpress merchants are willing to accept payment through more popular services like PayPal. Some may only take payment through AliPay or wire transfer. This can be inconvenient for specific customers. 
• It’s also possible that certain sellers may take a couple of extra days after an order is placed to send the item off to the carrier for shipping. This delay could result in missing estimated delivery windows on the product page. While buyer protection still applies, long waits may test patients expecting swifter order fulfillment from click to delivery. 

AliExpress: Tips And Tricks

Handle shipping delay 

Products shipped via free options may take over a month to arrive versus paid methods, which are usually quicker. Check estimated delivery windows carefully, as international transit is unpredictable. Be aware tracking may not be immediately provided for free shipments.

It’s a good idea to contact the seller after 7 days to inquire about the order status if no tracking number is received. Ensure your address details are accurate to avoid delivery complications. Only open a non-delivery dispute once the estimated maximum period has passed, usually 10 days after expected arrival. Prepare valid supporting evidence for any claims.

Consider opting for slightly faster shipping that offers tracking, even if it costs a few extra dollars. This provides peace of mind and a delivery estimation of around two weeks rather than risking an expensive item getting lost without visibility.

Deal with fraud alert

Like other major e-commerce platforms, AliExpress faces risks of payment fraud. AliExpress utilizes Alipay’s secure transaction process for credit card purchases to mitigate this. However, distinguishing legitimate vendors from scammers can still be challenging. Buyers must be aware of potential “red flags”:

You should be wary of items priced far below market value. If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Dishonest AliExpress sellers frequently offer branded goods at unrealistically low costs. A genuine designer bag priced at just $5 is certainly suspect. This helps identify potential fraud and avoid getting scammed by prices that appear too good to be believed. 

With due diligence on pricing realities, buyers can protect themselves from fraudulent sellers seeking to capitalize on unrealistic deals.

Read through seller feedback

Good ratings indicate authentic products, while poor ratings suggest otherwise. This helps paint a clear picture of the quality and service expected. Likewise, positive reviews describing fast shipping, communication, and accurate listings ensure quality treatment. 

Good ratings matter most to sellers, as any would tirelessly seek the same in their position. So take ratings as truth in assessing sellers on AliExpress.

Check the production description

Checking the product description is an essential step before purchasing on AliExpress. The description provides critical details about the product that should not be overlooked. 

For example, if someone buys a mobile phone from AliExpress without reading the description stating it is a generic version, they cannot dispute the order if they want an original brand phone. 

The product description section lets the seller clearly outline details like specifications, quality, compatibility, and unique features. This gives buyers helpful information to understand if an electronic item is a clone or an authentic product from the original manufacturer. 

Since disputes or returns can occur, customers should take the time to examine the description before checkout to avoid potential issues thoroughly.

Have a look at what the seller guarantees

Carefully examining the seller’s guarantees is essential to secure purchases on AliExpress. Since expensive items like phones carry higher fraud risks, buyers want to ensure they are protected. 

If a seller claims an iPhone or other premium brand product is genuine, it’s prudent for the buyer to check what exactly is guaranteed by the seller in case of issues. AliExpress aims to give buyers peace of mind by allowing refunds even for shipping costs if an item is fake despite the seller claiming it was authentic. 

While buyers do their homework upfront, problems can still arise occasionally. It’s reassuring that AliExpress has protection policies to fully refund buyers, including shipping, if they receive an inauthentic product from a seller making misleading claims. 

This safety net is valuable for consumers, as it mitigates risks for items that may be more susceptible to scams if not guaranteed accurately by the seller.

AliExpress vs. Competitor (Alibaba)

While AliExpress and Alibaba may seem similar, critical differences exist in their structures and intended users. 

AliExpress functions like a typical retail marketplace, allowing buyers to purchase individual items instantly via a shopping cart system. In contrast, Alibaba connects global buyers directly with manufacturers for bulk wholesale orders. 

There are no preset minimums on Alibaba—you can contact suppliers and negotiate custom bulk quotes. This suits larger-scale importers and merchants seeking to purchase inventories of goods for resale. Suppliers are often amenable to bulk packaging, private labeling, and other services tailored for resellers. Unit costs are lowest in large-volume deals. 

The process on Alibaba is less immediately transactional than AliExpress, as it involves direct communication between buyers and suppliers to agree on bulk terms. However, this model benefits those buying wholesale and can leverage discounted pricing. 

AliExpress caters to general consumers, while Alibaba facilitates bulk trade between global buyers and manufacturers. The right choice depends on one’s specific business or purchasing needs.

AliExpress: FAQs

Bottom line

Purchasing through AliExpress is straightforward. Buyers must research payment methods, verify seller ratings and history, and select reliable shipping – as covered previously. Objectively, minimal effort is required from buyers. 

AliExpress facilitates easy access to critical details like descriptions, seller performance, and shipping to empower informed choices. As long as buyers examine these critical elements, purchases are generally low risk.

When prudently taking advantage of the information provided, buyers have little reason for doubt. Even with competitors, AliExpress remains a solid and trustworthy e-commerce marketplace currently. With recommended precautions, most experiences will be satisfactory.