Is AliExpress Safe : Everything You Need to Know About AliExpress
Is AliExpress Safe : Everything You Need to Know About AliExpress
AliExpress is an e-commerce platform , which is also considered as Amazon in China, Where you can source out almost all goods you may imagine. But before you go shopping on AliExpress, you need to have a complete overview of this platform to avoid any issue that may happen eventually. As the below issues really happen quit a lot such as parcels still not received after month delivery ,. or no updating logistic tracking information, in this sense, many customers will loose trust in AliExpress and come up with this concern: If AliExpress is a safe and reliable e-commerce platform.
In this article I will teach let you have a complete view of Aliexpress and teach you how to buy from Aliexpress safely with less risks of being scammed .
What is AliExpress?
AliExpress as its name implies ,which is actually a child-company of Alibaba Group , it’s a well-known online marketplace that allows independent small business seller and factories in China to sell direct to individual customer worldwide
AliExpress offer a huge variety of items available for global customers , where you can find anything you want , so it’s also considered as amazon or ebay in China. Products on AliExpress will be significantly cheaper than other places in he world including US, EUROPEAN countries。
Difference between AliExpress and Alibaba
When you are the first time to hear about these two companies, you may get confused between AliExpress and Alibaba, as they really sounds similar. Actually these two companies are both owned by their parent company Alibaba Group, which is already the e-commerce leader in China.
Now let’s dive deep and get to know better both of these two online platform about how they works.
How Alibaba Works
Alibaba is a complete directory of all china wholesale suppliers that help oversea business men find manufacturers they need ,
But in the business mode, Alibaba is still a platform for B TO B bulk order business ,not a B to C e-commerce platform. So you can not purchase single unit quantity on Alibaba. You can find factory by searching with key word of your products. Then tell your inquiry requirement to the factory. The factory can also customize or personalize your products according to your customization needs. In this way you will have your unique products with your own private label .
Generally if you buy from factories on Alibaba , they will have their MOQ(minimum order quantity) requirement. That means you need to purchase quantity not less than their MOQ.
The whole trading process will occur offline but not on the Alibaba Platform. You need to have detailed communication then with your choosen factory outside of Alibaba. For more information you can also read my guide about how to buy from Alibaba
How AliExpress Works
AliExpress is an online marketplace where you can buy small quantity from seller settled on AliExpress. The whole transaction process will be completed on the platform. . AliExpress is positioned ever since its foundation on online small business, which plays the same role like EBAY.
Differing from Alibaba that can’t allow single unit quantity . the AliExpress allow you to purchase single unit quantities , and the whole transaction occurs only on the platform as the price shown in the product listing. And then all the products on AliExpress are not allowed to be customized as you want. So in simple words, you can not private label , but the good thing is that you don’t need to invest a lot of money to start your business like in Alibaba.
Even though the prices on AliExpress are low compared to the rest of world. But when it comes to the unit price , it will still be higher than large quantity wholesale on Alibaba.
The other issue is that you can not ask seller for free sample . so you can not examine the product quality before you buy . however Aliexpress will provide buyers protection to reduce risk of receiving poor quality products.
Then you need to consider the delivery time, all orders will be shipped from China to your country , which may last weeks or even months.
Is AliExpress Safe?
Firstly I want to confirm AliExpress is definitely a reliable platform, so buying from AliExpress is totally safe , As Aliexpress provide also a protection program that can guarantee each online purchase from beginning to the end.
If you find your order doesn’t arrive on time or as predicted time, you can also ask for a full refund. The buyer protection will be automatically applied when you place order on AliExpress.
In the case your goods never arrive or is found junk products. You can directly use buyer protection policy.
Firstly you need to contact AliExpress support to report problem with your order . then the sller will be notified and has chance to rectify situation
1.If your seller refuse to help you , so you can open dispute on AliExpress
2.If seller doesn’t give you response to dispute. Then AliExpress will return you the money
3.When the dispute closed in your favor . you’ll get your money back in two weeks.
So in any way , you stay safe while buying from AliExpress and will be protected by platfrom. And have no risk of being scammed.
Is AliExpress legit?
The AliExpress is a legit e-commerce platform without any doubt, which is already a popular retail marketplace now.
The AliExpress was founded in China, and owned by their parent company Alibaba Group for online cross-boarder B to C business.
For the sellers that want to settle into AliExpress ,they will be asked all legit certificates for opening a shop, in addition , AliExpress has also a series of rule and regulations for sellers that conduct business on platform.
Why Is AliExpress so cheap
Due to the low labor cost and complete diverse supply of raw materials , so in China suppliers can offer a more competitive price for a variety of products.
On the other side , All goods on AliExpress are directly supplied by suppliers themselves without middle man to earn the difference. In this sense the sellers are direct selling to the end consumers. Just like ebay and amazon.
3 reasons why customers think AliExpress as a scam platform.
Actually all these bad reviews are from the complex trading process , as across broader business involves a series of steps. Some times when issue occurs. Buyers will think this is the responsibility of platform.
Among all the issues that may happen during transaction process , the most reviewed is about delivery delays , quality problem and also unpleasant dispute experience. Then more and more customers will think the sellers on AliExpress are not reliable ,
Below are listed the 3 common reasons why customer feel unsafe
- Parcel delay for long time
- Tracking info is not updated
- The product received is not the same as expected
Let’s just analyse in details one by one
Why there will be a long delay in getting parcel
The general delivery time is around 30-50 days , but in many countries and regions , delivery will take even longer up to 60 days , and in the worst situation , the parcel will be lost in transit.
Why tracking info is not updated ?
You may meet with this situation that your parcel shipping info is still not updated 1-2 weeks after having placed order .but if you find your parcel still doesn’t arrive after 60 days , you have to ask your seller about the parcel shipping information, in most of cases , you will get on answer to your parcel shipping info , as your sellers they also don’t know where is the exact place of your parcel.
Why received product is not the same as expected
In the case you received item with defects or damaged parcel , you can directly ask your seller for sending a new parcel , or you can directly ask for refunding , the sellers will agree to give return your money.
In other case that you find the item you received is a fake that doesn’t match your expectation., for example , you bought a pair of Adidas sneaker at the price of 20 dollars, and when you received the shoes , you found the shoes are not the same as original. And you want to ask for refund , so in this case the sellers can refuse your refund, as he /she offer you the shoes only with 20 dollars, any way the fake Adidas shoes match the cost of 30 dollars.
4 common shipping methods for AliExpress
Economy Shipping
Shipping time : 20-60 days
Carriers: Cainiao Super Economy, Chins Post Ordinary Small Packet Plus, Yanwen Economic Air Mail
Saver Shipping
Shipping time: 30-50 days
Carriers: AliExpress Saver Shipping , Cainiao Saver Shipping for Special Goods
Standard Shipping
Delivery time: 10 to 45 days.
Carriers: AliExpress Standard Shipping, Cainiao Expedited Standard, China Post Registered Air Mail, ePacket, Special Line-YW, etc.
Premium Shipping
Delivery time: 5 to 10 days.
Carriers: AliExpress Premium Shipping, DHL, EMS, e-EMS, TNT, UPS, FedEx, GATI, DPEX, and so forth.
The above listed 4 types shipping methods have both their advantages and disadvantage, it all depends on your balance of shipping budget and time requirement. If you are urgent with delivery time , with enough budget , you can choose the Premium Shipping, but if you have limited budget for shipping ,. so just choose other 3 types of shipping options.
In Conclusion
In common sense , the AliExpress is a safe and legit e-commerce platform for single and small quantity , I also hope this guide will help you to avoid potential risks in your purchase in AliExpress , and if you have any concerns about AliExpress , Just leave your comment below this article , or contact us for your starting up business.
