Is Aliexpress safe for larger purchases ...

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BlinkyBill

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#269735 5-Apr-2020 11:48

I’m considering buying a tube amplifier, and the shipped price is $1,800 on Aliexpress. I’ve never used this platform before and have only heard of it in the context of smaller items.

Is this a safe platform for larger multi-thousand dollar items?

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#2454928 5-Apr-2020 12:07

I have purchased some big ticket items from there, $3k + several time and never had a single issue. Don't know about ordering at the moment though with what is going on.

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frankv

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#2454942 5-Apr-2020 12:29

My experience, all under $1,000, is that for more expensive stuff you get treated better.

If you buy a 75c fan, you get dodgy shipping and dodgy products and dodgy suppliers. If you buy a $500 3D printer, it arrives, the freight tracking works, delivery is quick, and the product is usually up to spec. If it isn't right, they will work hard to make it right, including shipping replacement parts and providing firmware quickly.

However,

1. Read the actual description of the item very carefully. The heading and photos may not match up with what the description says. If in any doubt, ask the vendor to clarify. They are usually very quick to do that, although their English is not always the best.

2. Do mark the item as received (but don't place feedback). Once you tell AliExpress that you've received the item, they release your money to the vendor. You might think that the vendor would lose interest in you when they have your money, but that's not the case. You can still ask AliExpress for a refund after you have received the goods, in case they're broken or don't meet the specs.

3. Place feedback when you're completely happy with the product.

SirHumphreyAppleby

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#2454948 5-Apr-2020 12:31

No worries. Worst case you'll get a partial refund. That's better than what Air NZ is doing, and you considered that reasonable.

BlinkyBill

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#2454955 5-Apr-2020 12:51

SirHumphreyAppleby:

No worries. Worst case you'll get a partial refund. That's better than what Air NZ is doing, and you considered that reasonable.

Thanks for the first part. I do consider a credit reasonable for a cancellation outside Air NZ’s discretion.

JaseNZ

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#2454962 5-Apr-2020 12:57

Yup would have to agree higher the price the better the service. Last thing I got was send via dhl and turned up in 3 days was pretty impressed to be honest.

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Kiwifruta

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#2454964 5-Apr-2020 13:01

JaseNZ:
Yup would have to agree higher the price the better the service. Last thing I got was send via dhl and turned up in 3 days was pretty impressed to be honest.

I check out the reviews and rating of the seller too. I’ve never made a high priced purchase on AliExpress mind you. You can also do a Yandex or Google reverse image search of the item you want to purchase. You might be lucky and find the seller’s supplier/manufacturer who will sell direct to you at a cheaper price than the AliExpress price.

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timmmay

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#2454980 5-Apr-2020 13:23

Make sure you check things quickly and test they work well. If you need to file a claim do it as soon as possible after you receive the item. I waited a few weeks because I didn't need the item, when I filed a claim AliExpress said "you waited too long, you probably broke it yourself". It was a cheap item so I just threw it away. I would beware.

BlinkyBill

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#2454986 5-Apr-2020 13:37

Thanks everyone, for your help. I’m not at all worried about the amplifier - I’m asking about the Aliexpress platform.

It seems like most people to date are ok with the platform.

richms

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#2454991 5-Apr-2020 13:41

The only issue I have had has been when there has been false tracking numbers on things that were clearly sold too cheaply. Luckily they used a tracking number for something that was delivered to Tauranga so clearly not my parcel once AliExpress got involved.

Richard rich.ms

SirHumphreyAppleby

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#2455101 5-Apr-2020 14:24

richms:

The only issue I have had has been when there has been false tracking numbers on things that were clearly sold too cheaply. Luckily they used a tracking number for something that was delivered to Tauranga so clearly not my parcel once AliExpress got involved.

I had one seller refuse to ship an item, then provide a fake tracking number. It's frustrating because there is nothing you can do about it until the dispute window opens. Fortunately, AliExpress usually resolves in your favour and non-delivery has never been an issue.

I've had a few disputes where they made it difficult and one which wasn't resolved in my favour after appeal, but a complaint via the only chat got that sorted out very quickly. Otherwise, the vast majority of my 200+ orders have progressed without any issues.

I have one package outstanding, shipped pre-pandemic. I've requested a 14 day extension on buyer protection to give that more time to arrive.

frankv

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#2455145 5-Apr-2020 14:48

Yeah, I have 3 packages overdue (coincidentally? all are under $4). I have however received a couple of $10-$20 items that were ordered about the same time. All electronics, so could be deemed "essential".

Tracking on one of the overdue items shows it as arriving in NZ "Accepted by Last Mile Carrier 2020-02-27 15:33:38 [GMT+8]", another "Shipment accepted by airline

2020-03-11 13:48:46 [GMT+8]", another "Departed country of origin 2020-03-12 20:55:00 [GMT+8]"

Hmmmm... funny things going on with double-quotes in this post.

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Nate001

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#2455174 5-Apr-2020 15:47

I wouldn't hesitate, don't forget its part of Alibaba Group, its up there for largest companies in china. To be honest I'd probably have more faith in a seller on AliExpress than TradeMe for high value goods, from my experiences anyway.

Bought a VW radio a few years back (~$300) and it was shipped via TNT all professionally packaged, from memory it was <1week from order to deliver and this was a week before christmas too.

JaseNZ

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#2455181 5-Apr-2020 15:56

I tend to use this site for my tracking gives a lot more detail than most of the places.

https://www.17track.net/en

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sleemanj

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#2455187 5-Apr-2020 16:05

Pretty low risk.

I think I am going to have my first actual unclaimable loss in however many years this month, a package which was supposedly delivered to my PO Box (at the correct post shop) a day before lock-down, but wasn't, seems like can't be found, and NZ Post won't have anything to do with it. Probably they put it in somebody else's box or it get returned to a depot or something during the close-down.

Can't really blame the ali seller for that, and tracking clearly shows it delivered to the correct location, so...

Luckily only a small amount.

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James Sleeman
I sell lots of stuff for electronic enthusiasts...

chevrolux

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#2455195 5-Apr-2020 16:31

I'd rate AliExpress over Amazon any day - especially for higher dollar value stuff.

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