AliExpress is an online retailer that ships products from Chinese manufacturers and delivers them to your doorstep. The platform allows anyone from any part of the world to buy products except those in China. And you stay fully protected by the company’s strict policies.
Although it is widely known, the e-commerce platform still has a few issues with scammers and fake products. Many customers want to know: Is AliExpress safe?
This article examines the online retail platform and exposes the tricks fraudsters use to steal money. It also offers tips on how to enjoy safe and seamless shopping on AliExpress.
What is AliExpress?
AliExpress is an Alibaba Group brand and one of the largest e-commerce platforms in the world. Like other leading global e-commerce websites, AliExpress allows third-party businesses to sell their products directly to its users.
The manufacturers are mainly Chinese who sell their products. The service is one of the highest-rising businesses in Russia, Europe, Africa, and Latin America, among other countries. And, with the sharp rise, Alibaba and AliExpress are already giving Amazon a run for its money.
Initially, Alibaba’s main online store was meant to sell its items at wholesale prices in bulk. Many drop shippers thronged on the platform, and entrepreneurs worldwide used it to sell products. All the drop shippers ever needed to do was arrange for the shipping directly from China to the customer’s door.
However, the dynamic prices attracted other shoppers, increasing AliExpress’s customer base. Alibaba Group’s influence in the global e-commerce space entrenched itself in several industries worldwide. Many businesses started selling cheap Chinese products from the platform.
Today, AliExpress operates in over 190 countries and has 150 million+ customers globally. But, the growth came with its fair share of concerns about their privacy and trustworthiness.
How Does AliExpress Work?
If you have bought anything from eBay, you know what to expect with AliExpress. AliExpress does not own or produce any product. Instead, they provide an online space where independent manufacturers and small businesses, especially in China, can sell their merchandise worldwide. In short, they directly link independent companies in China with individual customers worldwide.
The product is usually sold “as is,” which means you buy products as they are, without any customization or putting in any private labels. So, unlike the sister company Alibaba, AliExpress has no minimum or maximum quantities.
In short, you can order anything from one piece to 10,000 pieces or more. Think of AliExpress as the retail wing of Alibaba.
Their products are shown on a product listing where sellers and buyers interact and agree. Like any e-commerce website, you find a product listed and contact the seller for a purchase.
Also, it’s essential to understand that you cannot request a free sample to gauge the quality of the products you want to buy. The products and items listed on AliExpress are available in several categories. The most significant perk of using the platform is that they sell products at amazingly lower prices than any of the leading online retailers in the world.
Who Can Buy From AliExpress?
Anyone can buy anything from the site if they qualify for an active account on the website, except for people in mainland China. The company prohibits Chinese residents from ordering products and requires them to use another native marketplace.
And you can order any amount, and there’s no cap on either the lower or the higher side. So, both individuals and businesses can order products – either in small or large quantities.
AliExpress buyers include:
- Small business operators
- Individual customers who want clothes, electronics, stationery, utensils, or other personal items
- Manufacturers looking for raw materials or factory machinery and equipment
- Startup entrepreneurs looking to stock their stores
- Farmers looking for cheap tools
- Mechanics and garage operators looking for car repair equipment
- Dropshippers
- Designers, etc
- Anyone who buys anything in a shopping mall
How to Start Ordering from AliExpress Safely
First, you need to create an account. After that, you must choose a convenient payment method and start making your orders.
Here’s a summary of how you can order products safely from AliExpress:
- Launch your browser and log on to the AliExpress.com website.
- Tap on the Join button at the top right of the page.
- Create your account by filling in your information on the form.
- Now, tap on Create Account.
- Confirm the account creation with a link to your email.
- Enter your preferred payment method and follow the instructions therein. You can use your cards or PayPal to make the payment. AliExpress encourages users to use their AliPay payment methods.
- Now, you are ready to start shopping.
- After successfully creating your account, AliExpress will welcome you with a free $3 coupon. You can redeem by clicking the Get Your Coupon feature. AliExpress will apply your coupon during checkout.
- Head to the product category menu and choose a product you want to buy
- Check the customer reviews to confirm that the seller is legit.
- Now, add the product to your cart.
- Make the payment
- Give the shipping address and wait for the seller to process the shipping. You can ship your products on AliExpress from 3 main countries: China, the US, or the Russian Federation. So, you’ll likely get faster US deliveries from the local warehouses and distributors.
- Receive your product in 3 to 45 days, depending on your agreement with the seller
- If you have any issues, launch a complaint with AliExpress support. You’re safe with the AliExpress Buyer Protection Policy.
Pros & Cons of Buying from AliExpress
Buying from AliExpress has its fair share of perks and flaws.
Pros
Why is AliExpress a good quality retail e-commerce platform? Here’s why.
- Products go for affordable prices. AliExpress offers lower prices than anywhere else
- No minimum or maximum quantity
- The one-stop shopping platform has a large number of sellers and products worldwide
- Excellent buyer protection policy reduces the chances of getting scammed
Cons
Well, the online retailer has negative sides too, which are:
- You can only buy products “as-is,” and therefore, it’s difficult to customize or put your private label
- There’s very little control, as anyone in China can sell a product
- There’s a high chance you’ll get a fake or counterfeit product
- Actual products delivered may differ from the website’s product listing
Is AliExpress Safe?
The AliExpress marketplace is a safe platform for you to shop online. But, like in every other e-commerce, you must take preventive measures while shopping online.
While the platform has buyer protection policies, it cannot control the product delivery process from a third-party seller. Also, you have to ship from China with a postal service or other third-party shipping companies such as DHL. That process is not in the hands of AliExpress but goes as per the terms of the respective shipping companies.
So, the online platform is safe to shop at, but you need to do enough research before you do. For instance, you must check the seller’s review and read the product listing properly.
However, if safety is your priority, try an alternative online shopping platform, like Amazon.
Which Safety Measures Does AliExpress Use?
AliExpress develops ways to resolve any disputes users have with their sellers. Here are some of the safety measures it uses to keep you safe.
Buyer Protection
The platform has several protection measures for its buyers. It sometimes has sellers who are malicious and may want to milk your account dry while offering you no low-quality products. And, understanding the security risks involved in transacting business on their website, AliExpress institutes strict buyer protection measures.
So, AliExpress offers a money-back guarantee as one of its buyer protection policies. You can make a claim if your parcel is not delivered or if you don’t receive the requested product. For instance, the AliExpress buyer period goes up to 75 days. If you do not receive the product you ordered within this time, you can ask for your money back.
Sometimes, the buyer might end up getting a product that is fake or broken. In this case, you only need to raise the issue with the company. The seller may be forced to step in if the buyer and seller can’t settle their problems. So, AliExpress gives you and your seller ample time to agree within 15 days before stepping in and deciding on the best way forward.
Payment Procedure
AliExpress’s payment procedure is such that the company handles all your payment information. When you make the purchase, the seller will only get a dime of your money once you confirm the delivery. So, the company will keep your card details private from third-party financial payment gateways.
Instead, they will wait until the product is delivered and then wire the money to the seller when you accept the delivery. Also, the seller will not get access to your credit or debit card data. As long as you pay through the recommended channel, AliExpress will refund your money.
You can pay for your items via your credit card or AliExpress’s dedicated payment method, AliPay. Alipay is an online money transfer service similar to Venmo or PayPal. If you pay directly, then only AliExpress will know your bank details. You can also choose not to save your card details on the AliExpress website. You can load money into your AliPay account with your card and release that money for purchases.
How to Stay Safe when Shopping Online on AliExpress
While shopping on AliExpress is impressive with the great deals and low prices, you should watch out for red flags. The online market has several issues with fake products, scams, and misleading listings.
And, while AliExpress protects its customers with a solid refund policy, it cannot cushion you from personal things. The dispute resolution process takes time, and this might mean a delay in your business.
Fortunately, you can bypass the scammers and tricksters on the platform by practicing a few security tips.
Avoid Hyped Deals
If you want to buy safely, pass when it comes to popular brand deals. Fake items are a big problem on AliExpress, and you could lose your money if you’re not careful.
Counterfeit products usually copy popular brands and sell you at a giveaway price. Of course, they know you want to buy well-known products.
It’s no wonder that finding a brand new pack of Apple AirPods is going for two bucks. Or a double-door 600lt Samsung refrigerator going for a hundred bucks. Who doesn’t like a deal when shopping anyway? But the seller’s idea is to use fake copies of famous brands to lure unsuspecting customers into buying them.
Check the Reviews
Always check what other buyers say about the products you want to buy. Don’t be too much in a rush to forget that only the actual users can be objective about the product functionalities. Always check out the user reviews and comments. Such info will tell you much about the package, shipping, features, breakages, and, above all, the overall functionality of the products.
Understand the Listing
Before you add a product to your cart, be sure to read the listing carefully. Some listings are misleading, and they cause a huge issue for buyers.
For instance, a smartphone could be going for under $10, but scouring inside the listing shows the lower price limit is talking about phone covers rather than the actual phone!
Also, some listings show lower prices for larger, bulkier orders such that the cost of a hundred pieces is lower than that of ten on average. But remember that the final price will include other charges, such as individual shipping.
Beware of the Brushing Scam
Some malicious seller will use the brushing scam to make their products look better than they are. The Brushing Scam involves sellers using fake accounts to leave positive reviews for poor-quality products. The idea is to create an image of a better product than they are selling
Uphold AliExpress Cyber Hygiene
Always remember that the internet is a sea that has both good and dangerous players. So, actively exercise a proper degree of cyber hygiene on AliExpress as on other online platforms.
Protect your account credentials and make sure your password is strong, unique, and safe. Ensure that your credit card data is far from the reach of any hackers or identity thieves.
Understand and Avoid Scams
If you don’t want to become a scam victim, you’d better understand how scammers work. Well, there are measures you can use to protect yourself from AliExpress scams and data breaches. You don’t have to study for a criminology degree for this, but you should at least know how they do it.
First, learn the tricks and understand how online predators try to get you. Then, use the knowledge to put in place enough preventive measures so you don’t end up as their prey by losing your money or private information.
Make Payment through AliExpress
If you’re buying any product from AliExpress, do not send your money to the seller’s bank account. When interacting with anyone on the AliExpress platform, at least ensure that AliExpress allows it.
Otherwise, most fraudsters and scammers will try to lure you into sending money directly to the bank accounts.
Sending money outside of AliExpress is against their Terms of Use, and AliExpress’s protection policies will not cover you. Paying the seller through the AliExpress platform creates a safe medium for you and your seller.
Don’t be Hasty
Never rush into making decisions on the platform. Take your time and investigate what you’re about to do. Research and understand the product and the seller, and you may only confirm the delivery once you have inspected the goods.
If the delivered products are not up to the quality you ordered, do not confirm the delivery but revert to AliExpress.
Seller guarantees
Does the seller guarantee your positive experience? Check the Seller Guarantee tab on AliExpress’s seller page to determine whether the vendor has buyer-friendly guides. For example, the seller should guarantee a refund policy for domestic returns, the quality of the products, and a clear delivery schedule.
Check Seller’s Background
Only buy from the sellers who have many successful shipping orders. If a seller has hundreds of sales completed, they are likely trustworthy. Also, check around the forums to find seller reviews and comments to assess the genuineness of the sales from actual satisfied customers.
Is Your Private Information Safe with AliExpress?
Online shopping platforms work by requiring you to share your personal information to process payments and delivery. You must provide your name, phone number, address, and payment details to the payment gateway to successfully sell on AliExpress.
AliExpress gathers your data and that of its users, which poses the question of safety and privacy. Unfortunately, it is impossible to guarantee that sharing your personal information anywhere on the internet can be safe.
The platform also shares the information with other third parties, including sellers, delivery companies, and other sub-affiliates of the Alibaba Group. Also, the retail company shares your data with marketers, advertisers, and other business partners. So, you’re easily a target of ads and promos across the web for just visiting the platform.
While AliExpress is dedicated to keeping your shopping safe and secure, you must practice personal online safety. You can always protect your bank details and other personal information on the internet using a reliable VPN like ExtremeVPN.
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