What's the fascination with Ali Express?

[Dom]

I feel like I'm seeing a lot of posts about Ali Express. What is the shopping experience like?

 

[VintageReefer]

I feel like I'm seeing a lot of posts about Ali Express. What is the shopping experience like?

Its cheap off brand shopping buying direct from china.

 

[Dom]

Its cheap off brand shopping buying direct from china.

Hmmmm.... not sure how I feel about that.

 

[Reefing102]

The experience varies. Sometimes stuff gets here in days. Other times weeks. As mentioned, generally it’s cheaper Chinese alternatives (knockoffs, clones, call it what you want) all to save some money. Sometimes it works, sometimes it’s a bust.

 

[bradreef]

Certain things are worth buying and others not. AliExpress is the consumer site of Alibaba. Basically if you want items from China, it's you best option.

 

[exnisstech]

I haven't bought a lot but I have bought a couple name brand items that appears to be legit. I wouldn't buy anything expensive because I assume I would have no warranty.

 

[Shooter6]

A lot of products on Amazon are bought from Alibaba and resold on these. Drop shipped as well. Aliexpress is basically the chinese version of Amazon or eBay.

 

[BriDroid]

I bought a couple of wave makers and my light from there. They all are working great, no issues. I got them from China in just over a week. Not bad.

 

[jmcdona6]

Like someone else mentioned a lot of what gets sold on Amazon comes from the same place.

You are cutting out the middle man. Pro - Cost. Con - No middle man to hold inventory so wait times are longer; No middle man to vet items or Amazon to police bad actors.

I think the latter will become less an issue as more people use it and a system of reputable vendors and products gets established. Another popular alternative you might have heard of is Temu.

 

[bradreef]

All add to this. I was looking for a magnet cleaner that said it worked on 3/4 glass. Checked all over on Amazon and other places. Only ones that said for sure they work on 3/4 were expensive. I found this on AliExpress for around $22 shipped and it holds well.