AliExpress, is this for real?

[Willie]

Was looking at a couple of LF items and an internet search came up with AliExpress. The items I was checking out and "quick delivery" as well as prices much lower than any other sites I have seen.

Is this place for real?

Any experience others have had with them for reference is appreciated.

[Bob Kerner]

If it seems too good to be true......

I found my way there recently looking for an adapter ring for a Rolleicord. Something about it made me wonder if I'd be taking a gamble with my money and I didn't want to wait for it to ship from the other side of the globe. I went to that auction site instead. My understanding is that there's a lot of knock offs there. My tolerances for knock offs might be different than yours; I suppose it depends on the item, price and need. One of my kids buys odd-ball toys from the site. Stuff shows up eventually and more-or-less resembles what was pictured on the website.

[Mark Sampson]

AliExpress is China's version of Amazon, e.g. a huge retailer of everything. I've never used them... perhaps like TEMU, the low prices are just a way to access your data.
"Those who seek the lowest price deserve whatever they get".
"If something seems too good to be true, it probably is".
I'll spend a little more money to deal with a trusted retailer upon whose service I can rely.
But then I don't buy a lot of stuff anyway, and have never even used eBay.

[Alan9940]

I bought an L-bracket from them a couple of years ago. Very fast service. Nothing to complain about. But, buying anything from just about any online retailer nowadays you have to be careful IMO

[Havoc]

I have bought various things from them. Photo related mostly things like tripod plates, a leveling base,... always ok. Delivery is within the estimation given. And for europe, if they include vat, then what was indicated is what I paid. (disclaimer, I haven't tried very expensive branded stuff)

The rest I bought are electronic components like resistors, leds, connectors, some lathe tooling like small indexable boring bars or tiny carbide bits. Always ok so far.

Sometimes it can be difficult to get the information you want on the item. They try hard to help but the language barrier is real. And finding something again when you want more of the same can also be hard as shops come and go.

[Lachlan 717]

I buy DIY watch components from them. (Cases, movements, tools etc.)

They’re fine so far. Quicker delivery than many on-shore retailers.

[jp]

I get electronics parts from Aliexpress. Packing tends to be poor. Shipping time is what it is. Might be a week like Amazon. Might be 6 weeks. Each seller is different.
If you know what you're looking for you can get nice stuff. Plenty of junk of the normal consumer flavor.

[xkaes]

As mentioned, ALI is just like Amazon and Temu -- or EBAY for that matter, since 90% of what's listed on EBAY is BUY IT NOW, NOT an auction.

Sellers, typically businesses (small and large) list stuff for a fee. That's the same with Amazon and EBAY. Some people don't like Amazon or EBAY. I don't like Amazon, but I do like EBAY. That's just me. I've bought from numerous sellers on TEMU and ALI-EXPRESS. I've never had a problem. For example, I got a couple of VERY hard to find Chinese SLR cameras from ALI-EXPRESS -- at REALLY good prices!

There are some bad sellers on every platform -- foreign or domestic. With the foreign sellers, there is the additional "problems in translation", so be a little more careful. Pay attention to the details.

[Jody_S]

I've bought everything from lens caps to welders to once an electric wheelchair. A few of the $3-10 electronic items have been defective, and a couple of parcels have been lost in the mail, but that's par for the course. They're much harder to get a refund from than eBay or Amazon, when there is a problem, for anything but non-delivery.