Experiences with https://www.alibaba.com/

I'm looking for all experiences the good, the bad, and the ugly with https://www.alibaba.com/ from little paper clips items to bulldozers.


I have heard its legit I have just never used it before. I have an item I am eyeing and want to know if the dice roll is worth it.

Thanks for your help!

 

Bought lithium batteries ...credit card was compromised soon after purchase received the batteries just took awhile

 

Now with a poll!

 

I've seen people using it for years and had decent results with getting what they paid for.

I have still yet to use it...

 

I’ve used Ali-express which I believe is their more direct to consumer version? I could be wrong there, and if I am, sorry. But my experience with AliX has been largely positive. Stuff can take a month or more to arrive, but I’ve never had issues with it arriving. I have always used PayPal, so no issues there. The only thing I would offer warning on based on my experience is the quality can vary quite a bit. Some stuff is great, like you feel like you stole it for the quality at that price, but other stuff is just so bad it literally goes straight to the trash. But the stuff that was crappy quality I have just written off as “you get what you pay for”. I don’t think I would trust it for a large purchase though. I always try to get samples first if it is something I might buy a lot of. Like I’ll order $5 worth, and if it is good, then I don’t mind ordering $100 worth. If the quality sucks, I’m out $5.

 

As long as the seller actually has what I ordered available, I usually get my stuff in 30-60 days (untracked). Sellers have always been nice and generally respond quickly in the event of needing contact. Have not had issues with any of the pieces I've ordered, but it's typically not my first choice to order from.

 

I've used aliexpress a few times with no issues other than the already mentioned long shopping times.

Do as much due-diligence as you can before ordering, and don't order anything that would really put you out financially if it doesn't arrive.

Some stuff is garbage, some stuff is crappy counterfeit, some stuff is great counterfeit, some stuff is grey market, and some is legit.

 

I'm looking at an agricultural implement in the $400-1,000 range that normally sells for $2,600-6,000 at retail pricing. I know a lot of it is markup for shipping route costs and distribution that is why if I just have it shipped directly to me I can get a good discount of dimes on the dollar. I just don't want to be wrong and have to do it twice.

 

I've been using that website for 7-10 years and have ordered probably over 30 times from it.

The Bad
Set your expectations VERY LOW and you probably won't be disappointed. I've been burned 4-5 times when I was sent items that were completely mis-represented, usually it's been the material the item was made from. Advertised as stainless and it ends up being mild steel with a clearcoat. Reinforced polymer, turns out to be PVC plastic.

I've also had to dispute several times with my credit card when the package arrives torn open and contents are missing.

The Good
Prices are the lowest typically, but not always. Amazon.com for the last year has had the identical item for the same price. I guess they're importing in bulk?

 

try to do your research on import taxes.

smaller toys/tools generally don't have too many issues, but larger purchases are going to be investigated more at customs.

i've looked into importing one of those tiny ev's a number of times. a lot of my driving is local on 20mph streets, it would be perfect.

https://www.alibaba.com/product-det...offerlist.normal_offer.d_title.57f927a7MRhHo1

this guy did a number of posts on importing a '$2000' ev. he was quickly closing in on $7k by the time it hit america, and that didn't even get into customs/brokerage fees.
https://electrek.co/2021/06/16/i-bo...tric-pickup-truck-from-china-and-you-can-too/

jason torchinsky on jalopnik, or now autopian also did a similar articles, and ended up in a similar boat where the cheap initial cost was only a fraction of the final costs after shipping and customs.

i think you'll find that after investigating the hidden costs the local $2600-6000 price range really isn't that terribly far different-- at least you'll be able to get parts for those a little faster.

that would more indicate customs is doing something, and either removing things that violate US trademark agreements, or just being shady in general, which is while maybe not a right, is really nothing we can do either:
https://www.sparkfun.com/news/1428?_ga=1.108770372.717974984.1473149173



i've ordered a few things from alibaba a number of times. i generally do more business with aliexpress.com instead, as i've never needed any significant quantities.

alibaba is just about the slowest, most expensive way to get most things anymore. way more channels to get unique things than there used to be, and Amazon and ebay fulfill most of my needs anymore. i used to get some more unique headlamp projector shrouds from AESCAR, that were only available on alibaba. generally cost about $15-25/pair, but then shipping was usually $50-90