How to shop safely on AliExpress: a practical checklist
Seven checks that help you avoid unreliable sellers, slow shipping and surprise costs when ordering from AliExpress.
AliExpress is a marketplace: thousands of independent sellers list products there, and quality ranges from excellent to disappointing. Most problems can be spotted before you pay. This is the routine we follow when we judge a listing.
1. Look at the store, not only the product
Open the seller's store page. Stores that have operated for several years, have a high positive-feedback percentage and many followers are generally a safer bet than a new store with a handful of orders. A very low price from a brand-new store deserves extra caution.
2. Read the reviews properly
Star ratings are a starting point, not an answer. Look at how many reviews there are, read the three-star ones, and favour reviews with photos taken by buyers. Our guide to reading ratings, reviews and sold counts explains this in detail.
3. Compare the total price
A low item price can be offset by high shipping, and in many countries import duty or VAT applies. Compare the total at checkout, not the headline price. Whether duties are collected at checkout or on delivery depends on your country and the shipping option.
4. Check the delivery promise
Look at the estimated delivery date and whether tracking is included. Listings that ship from a warehouse in or near your country can arrive faster and are often easier to return, while the cheapest option may take several weeks.
5. Match the description to the photos
Compare the title, the specification table and the pictures. An empty specification table, or one that contradicts the title, is a warning sign. Be careful with listings that use famous brand names in a way that suggests an official product.
6. Pay and talk to the seller on the platform
Keep payment and messages inside AliExpress. Buyer protection applies to eligible orders paid through the platform, and a seller who asks you to pay or chat elsewhere is a classic scam signal.
7. Know your protection before you order
AliExpress offers buyer protection on eligible orders, with a limited window to open a dispute if an item does not arrive or is not as described. The exact time limits and conditions can change, so read the current terms on AliExpress before buying anything expensive. If something arrives faulty, take clear photos straight away and open the dispute promptly.
Cheap is not the same as good value
A product that fails after a month costs more than a slightly dearer one that lasts. When two listings look similar, prefer the one with more sales, more photo reviews and a more reputable store, even if it costs a little more.
- Store open for years, with a high positive-feedback rate
- Many reviews, including buyer photos
- Total price (shipping and duties) compared
- Tracked delivery with a realistic date
- Specifications match the title and pictures
- Payment and messages kept on the platform
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