How To Buy From Aliexpress

Welcome to our mega-guide on how to buy on AliExpress?

This is FAR from all those sugar-coated and misleading reviews. 

At Leeline Sourcing, we’ve been in the product sourcing industry for the past decade. And we’ll take you through how to use AliExpress the RIGHT WAY. And avoid SCAMS. 

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• What is AliExpress, and how it works
• How to buy from AliExpress
• Reasons to buy from AliExpress
• Best practices for buying on AliExpress
• How to identify a Reliable seller
• How to search for products on AliExpress
• How to find the best prices on AliExpress

Ready? Let’s go…

What is AliExpress? How Does it Work?

AliExpress is the Ghengis Khan of the eCommerce retail marketplace.

Not only is it the largest platform, it contains over 100 million products. Plus, a TON of reliable sellers. That’s TWICE its nearest competitor. 

100. Million. Products. It’s like its own country.

So how does it work?

• Log into your AliExpress account
• Find the quality products you want to buy
• Add them to your shopping cart
• Checkout using your preferred shipping and payment method

DONE! Wait for your shipping in 15 to 45 working days. (***crickets chirp***). 

…much more on that next.

Fun Fact?: AliExpress generated over $5.2 billion in 2021 alone. That’s FIVE FOLD the GDP of Comoros.

Suggested reading: Aliexpress reviews

How to Buy from AliExpress–Complete Steps

Ok, now let’s get busy. Here’s a step-by-step guide for shopping on AliExpress like a boss. And avoiding the most common mistakes that cost you money and time. 

Step 1: Head over to AliExpress and create your account

Simple, isn’t it?

Just click the ‘ACCOUNT’ icon in the upper right corner. And tap on REGISTER new account.

You’ll only need the following:

• Location
• Valid email address
• Password

Alternatively, you sign up using your Google, Facebook, Twitter, or Apple account.

AliExpress then sends you a verification code via email.

Basically, it’s just a 4-digit verification code you’ll enter on the AliExpress dashboard. And click Verify Email to complete verification. 

EASY PEASY.    

Step 2:  Find Products

PERFECT! Let’s start shopping. 

On the AliExpress homepage, click on the categories icon to find products EASILY. This is an EXCELLENT way to save time and focus on revenue-generating activities. 

AliExpress products are bundled into categories including (***DEEP BREATH***):

• Food
• Home Appliances
• Sports & Entertainment
• Home & Garden
• Home Improvement
• Automobiles & Motorcycles
• Lights & Lightings
• Shoes
• Cellphones & Telecommunication

…and that’s not even an exhaustive list.

Under each category lies a TON of subcategories for items in the same niche. For instance, the “Beauty & Health” niche includes other subcategories such as:

• Oral hygiene
• Nail Art & Tools
• Skin Care
• Men’s Grooming
• Skincare tools and SO MUCH MORE

Now, click on the subcategory you want to start shopping INSTANTLY.

NOTE: AliExpress allows you to filter all products to match your preferences. For instance, if you are shopping for sports bags. You filter the search results to match your preferred brands, material. And capacity. Sweet, right?

Step 3: Find a Reputable Seller

Get this– this is the most important part of your shopping escapades.

Imagine losing 150 bucks to fake AliExpress sellers. (GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK!!). 

Don’t get us wrong, there are thousands of RELIABLE AliExpress suppliers. But cunning scammers are also looming on the platform tirelessly.

Enough with the whining; here’s what to do…

ONLY select items from product listings with the highest ratings and items sold. Plus, hundreds of positive reviews from previous buyers.

Feel free to ignore the ratings. Just don’t complain when you haven’t gotten your product in more than 6 months.

Here’s an example of an online store on AliExpress with 81% positive reviews:

BONUS STEP: Customize your selected product to suit your needs. This includes color, size, and quantity.

Oh, and don’t forget to customize your ideal shipping method. Just remember you pay more for faster shipping time.

You’ll also see more shipping methods by clicking ‘More Options’. That gives you access to dozens of shipping options alongside their shipping costs. And estimated delivery dates. 

Click Add to Cart and proceed to the checkout page. 

Step 4: Click ‘View Shopping cart’

Here, you have two options once you add items to your cart:

• View shopping cart: proceed to checkout
• Continue shopping: find more products

If you click the View Shopping Cart option…

You’ll be redirected to a new page. Hit the Checkout icon to continue. 

Step 5: Add shipping information and payment options

Congratulations, you are an inch closer to making your first order. 

Here, you’ll update your shipping address. (Be very careful…or else your package will be shipped to God knows where).

TIP: Don’t forget to set your shipping address as your default location. So you don’t have to set it every time you make a purchase.

What about my payment options? 

Sadly, AliExpress DOES NOT have many payment options. You only pay using Paypal or your Credit or Debit Card. C’mon Jack Ma, do something!?

Click on Confirm. On the new page, hit the Place Order icon and wait for your delivery.

PICASSO! 

Reasons Why You Should Buy from AliExpress

Here’s why you should buy from AliExpress TODAY: 

• Buyer Protection Program/ Buyer protection period. This feature protects you from hungry scammers. For instance, if the seller states that your goods arrive within 50 days. It should be within 50 days. Failure to do so, you are free to seek a full refund, NO QUESTIONS ASKED. 

Thanks, AliExpress. 

• No Pussyfooting Around and Get Every Cent Back GUARANTEE. You get your money back if any of the items received are faulty. Broken or counterfeit products. Absolutely No Risk to You!

How to get your money back 100% HASSLE FREE?

1. File a dispute – goes to the seller directly

2. Negotiate for BETTER solutions with the seller

3. If you both agree, you will receive a partial or full refund

4. If you both disagree, AliExpress steps in as a mediator. 

And the best part?

The customer is ALWAYS right! That means you are likely to get your refund in a few days. 

No way you can lose! 

Suggested reading: Is AliExpress Safe?

Best Practices for Buying from AliExpress Safely and Avoid Frauds or Scams

The statistics are grim: 14% of AliExpress reviews are negative. Why? SCAM ARTISTS! But even the remaining 86% aren’t all GREAT. It just means that the majority of the buyers were lucky. 

So…here’s a bunch of tips on how to avoid scams and con artists. 

#1- Only choose sellers with a 4.5 rating or higher

Let’s reiterate– ALWAYS check the ratings of the seller you want to buy from. 

Imagine you want to make an impulse purchase. Just a random household gadget to lighten up your space.

You find a seller, then BOOM…

Hundreds of one-star reviews. 

Are you still making the purchase? 

Hell…no

Now imagine you blindly ordering the item without reading previous buyer reviews. You’ve just lit your own money on fire!!

Also, avoid buying branded items. They are FAKE and of poor quality. 

#2- Check buyer protection policy

Once you’ve decided to buy a certain product. It’s a BEST PRACTICE to confirm the seller’s buyer protection policy. 

Think of it as insurance for ALL the goods you are purchasing. 

Theoretically, the seller agrees to a full refund in the event you don’t receive your package.

Also…

You get a full or partial refund if the product you receive DOES NOT match its description.

#3- Only pay through AliExpress 

Yeah… Ummm…this mistake has seen many buyers fall into the scammer’s traps. 

So, you find a lucrative offer, but the seller wants you to pay outside AliExpress. 

RUN AWAY!

It doesn’t matter if they are giving a 60% discount on a 55” Samsung OLED Screen. 

Paying outside AliExpress kicks you out of the buyer protection program. Leaving you with ZERO chances of getting any refund if the deal goes south.

Which brings us to…

How Do You Know If a Seller is Reliable from AliExpress?

Great question. 

Let’s dive in…

1. Look into the store’s duration

We believe this to be the number one rule in scouting RELIABLE suppliers. Longevity equals credibility. 

So if the seller has been around for the past 3 -5 years, they are probably LEGIT.

Oh, and while you are at it, don’t forget to check recent store activity. That includes the amount of negative and positive feedback they have.

2. Overall responsiveness

This has to be a CRITICAL point on evaluating a seller’s credibility. Try and engage them to see how they communicate. Inquire about the product’s availability, shipping dates, or any other clarification. 

A legit seller will try to respond PROMPTLY. Unlike scammers who only pressure you to send money to who knows where. 

3. Confirm the last sale day

When was the last time they sold a product? 

Recent sales mean that buyers are constantly making purchases. And you should too! 

Also, take note of how frequent buyers purchase from the seller.

How to Search Products on AliExpress?

Ok, that’s enough theory. Let’s show you how to search and find products like a boss on AliExpress. 

Remember this– AliExpress has already done the donkeywork for you. They show you EVERY tiny detail about the store on the product page. That includes:

• Seller ratings
• Shipping cost
• Feedback score
• Followers

You start with the category section on the left side of the homepage. And click on the category you are interested in. 

Pretend you’ve clicked on a specific category (e.g., women’s fashion). A pop-up showing dozens of categories in the same niche.

Click on the subcategory you want- BOOM SHAKA LAKA. Thousands of products show up in NO TIME. 

Additionally, you can tweak the results on the product page to match your preferences. Such as items with free shipping, price limits, seller’s location, and so much more.

Alternatively, you can search products using the search bar on the AliExpress homepage. And you’ll get results REAL QUICK.

Suggested reading: Best 20 USA Sourcing Agents

How to Find the Best Prices When Buying from AliExpress?

Well, AliExpress already has a majority of low priced goods. But it wouldn’t hurt to still get 50% OFF (or more) on your purchases. Cool, right? 

Here’s how: 

Log in frequently using their app to get coins

AliExpress mobile app has an INSANE checking system based on coupons. Or coins. Where you get coins after every 24 hours by checking-in through the app. 

If you are consistent, you can get up to 16 coins every day. You can convert these coins into $$$ and make a purchase. For instance, 100 coins = $1. Now imagine 1000, 2000, or 3000 coins. 

AWESOME. 

Buy items with Free Shipping.

Some of the items on AliExpress come with free shipping. That means you save more money and use it for future purchases. 

WARNING. Avoid free shipping on expensive goods. Chances are that these are scammers, and you will NEVER receive your order. EVER.

Shop using your mobile phone

This is also an EXCELLENT way to save money while shipping on AliExpress. You get an additional 5% – 10% discount shopping on AliExpress mobile app. Compared to shopping on your desktop.

Disputes, Refunds, and Returns Policy

Now we’ve seen how to open an account, scout for sellers, and get the BEST deals. 

But how do you protect yourself when all hell breaks lose? 

SIMPLE!

Open a dispute.

AliExpress offers a 15-day return policy. As long as the items are returned in perfect condition. And with the RIGHT packaging. 

We are going to assume that you already don’t like the AliExpress order you received. 

If that’s the case, here’s what to do: 

Step 1) Head over to AliExpress’ refund & dispute section to open a dispute. 

Step 2) Seller is notified and MUST respond to your dispute within 5 days.

Step 3) If the seller agrees to your request. AliExpress automatically closes the dispute. And you get your money back in 3-20 working days. No questions. No quibbles. No nothing. 

Step 4) If the seller refuses to accept your request for a refund, you have two choices:

• Edit and update the proposal again
• Wait for AliExpress to look into the matter within 5 business days

Step 5) AliExpress automatically refund your money if the error is on the seller’s end.

NOTE: Constantly update the dispute proposal and respond on time. That keeps the entire process SEAMLESS.

:). 

Customs Duty and Taxes When You Buy from AliExpress

Here’s the hard truth about custom duty and taxes from AliExpress. And it’s quite annoying that you are charged these ‘hidden’ charges. But why? 

• Duties and taxes are not included as part of the product price
• You are MAINLY purchasing from Chinese manufacturers. Hence, hefty custom charges. 

Again, it’s important to note that customs duties GREATLY depend on your location. Therefore, you need to confirm with your seller of local customs authorities. 

Other factors that affect custom duty include the size of the AliExpress packages. And the types of items you bought. 

Theoretically, expensive items tend to have high customs charges and taxes.

Plus, you will be responsible for clearing VAT on all AliExpress purchases. Just follow the VAT clearance procedure of your local authority. And you are ALL SET.

FAQs about Buy From Aliexpress

What’s Next

2000 words later…we hope we’ve answered all your questions on shopping on AliExpress.

So, is it worth shopping on AliExpress?

Yes, 100%. 

If you follow ALL the instructions we’ve given, then you are all set. Plus, you are getting amazing deals on quality items.

AliExpress is an EXCELLENT platform for impulse shopping. Or if you are just getting your feet wet in the dropshipping business.

Are you looking for RELIABLE Chinese suppliers? Or do you want to find the BEST SELLING dropshipping products? You are in luck! Hit us up at our service pages. And our team will be in touch in NO TIME.