AliExpress was launched in 2010 and by this time has become one of the 3 top most visited online shopping websites. It enjoys almost 700 million monthly visits, which is 8,400 mln visits per year! Still some people are prejudiced against this Chinese platform and often ask whether it is safe to use. Let’s consider whether it is legit or not and what risks the customers might bear, in case there are any.
Is AliExpress Safe for Online Shopping?
AliExpress itself is a safe and reliable website that takes every single chance to improve the service and protect both the customers and sellers, and this is what helped it to become so worldwide popular.
The annual revenue of Alibaba Group which owns AliExpress as well is estimated to be 376,844 million yuan in 2019. It is 53, 948 mln dollars! Do you think this sum was paid by the customers who are dissatisfied with the service? Of course, not, and below we explain how AliExpress protects its customers from every single chance to lose money or be cheated.
Types of Customer Protection on AliExpress
35-60 day Money Back Guarantee
The money-back guarantee allows you get a refund in case the product wasn’t delivered, is faulty or damaged or is not as described on the product page. In case the delivery is delayed, always check the Buyer Protection Timer and extend it if necessary.
In case some problems arise, you have to open the dispute and choose “Refund Only”. Describe the problem in detail and attach the evidence (photo, video, etc.), then press “Submit”. The store will have 3 days to answer the claim. In case the store doesn’t respond in the dispute field, you will automatically get a refund.
In other cases, you will have to negotiate with the seller and find the best solution. Read more on AliExpress disputes. In the most complicated cases, the AliExpress administration will step in to solve the matter. The refund is made within 15 days following the end of the claim process.
Free Return
This is an option some sellers on AliExpress offer to the customers. With it, you have 15 days following the on-time delivery to decide whether you want to keep the bought item or not. You can return the product for any reason in case it’s in the same condition as it came to you, and the packing, tags, etc., are kept untouched.
How to Return the Product to the Seller on AliExpress?
Step 1
Open the dispute and choose “Return Goods”.
Step 2
Find the return code or the return label (issued by the store that supports the Free Return option) and go to the designated logistics company to send the parcel.
! Please note that the option is available in the countries with local AliExpress warehouses only, as the item is not returned to China; it is processed by the local warehouse instead. The option is only available for the products with the Free Return label on the product page. You can only return one parcel for free, so make sure to collect all products you want to return for free in one parcel to avoid extra expenses!
The list of the countries with the Free Return option:
- mainland territories of the United States,
- the UK,
- France,
- Canada,
- Australia,
- Spain,
- Russia,
- and Germany.
Chat with the AliExpress Administration
In cases, the dispute was closed by mistake or you have any other questions left, you can contact the AliExpress administration directly using the chat on their website. Scroll the page to the bottom and press the Customer Service link.
Then find the Online Service button and open the online chat to contact the AliExpress team.
This option is less reliable than the dispute, but you can use it to get additional information on what to do in debatable cases. All ways to complain about the seller can also be found here.
How to Find Reliable Sellers
As you can see, AliExpress itself makes its best to protect the customers. The only danger can come from fraud sellers who try to cheat the customers and get the easy money. But if you know all principles of making the order on AliExpress and how to win the dispute, you will never face the danger of losing your spent funds. Check all the ways to find Legit Sellers in this article.
In brief, you have to pay attention to the following points:
The store’s rating. Can be found at the top of the store’s page or on the product page, right under the product images.
The product reviews. Check the product reviews before ordering to make sure the product is as described and is delivered on time. The corresponding field is under the Buy now button.
Global Seller Check. Install Megabonus extension and enable it when shopping, This way, you will get up to 4.91% cash back on AliExpress and will see all information about the store and the product in one tab, which is very convenient. You won’t have to check the sellers manually anymore.
Store Legal Check on AliExpress
All stores on AliExpress must go through an approval process, which includes confirming their personal and business details and sending all the papers proving they have a right to trade to the AliExpress administration. So all stores on Aliexpress are legit. Read more on the store’s registration on AliExpress.
Is AliExpress Safe to Use Debit or Credit Card?
As any global marketplace, Aliexpresss offers a safe payment option where your privacy data are protected from possible fraud, so you can safely add your card details when shopping on Aliexpress.
How to avoid possible risks:
- Make sure you are on a right Aliexpress website, as some frauds create fake AliExpress websites where your personal details can be stolen. Use aliexpress.com, its official mobile app only or go AliExpress from the Megabonus AliExpress page to be sure you are protected.
- Do not discover your card details to the stores and any people on AliExpress that might ask you to do so.
- Make sure not to answer possible fake emails asking you to change/readd your card details on AliExpress.
- To ensure even more privacy, you can choose not to save your card details and enter them each time you are going to pay for the order.
As you can see, there are multiple types of buyer and transaction protection on AliExpress, and if you know all the nuances you do not risk a cent. What you must remember is the fact that there are some dishonest sellers on AliExpress, so you have to keep to the AliExpress rules when making an order or opening a dispute.
AliExpress is a scam!!! I tried to cancel my order multiple times but they wouldn’t do it. They robbed $260 from me. I tried to repeatedly tell customer service I did not receive my order and to this day I still don’t have it. It’s way past the due date for delivery. Zero stars. Best customer service and liars to say they give a money back guarantee. Liars!!
Hello. We are sorry to hear about your unpleasant experience with this marketplace. In case the order is not delivered, the customer must open a dispute to return the money.
I have ordered several items and have not received any sellers say it us in transit but delivery was due between 11th May and 18th May. These dates have long passed. I sincerely have no idea when they will be delivered. Please advise.
Check your Buyer Protection time. Open the dispute when it expires (no later than in 14 days) or several days before it does.
Delivery on each order takes approx 4 weeks. Not good,far too long.
aliexpress online it is very good and liget but the seller is the problem..because the shipment is not specified when the items arrive ..and the costumer service its is very nice too very responsible ..if you claim for refund you claim it ..due the item is not arrive on 50days
I HAVE SHOPPED aliepress for years . Takes a long time to get but have received many items all good. When I don’t receive product they have always refunded me.
Rip off merchants. They offer “free returns for any reason ” and then claim it only available for damaged goods. Once they have your money, it is not protected, it is gone forever.
Could you please share the name of the store which has such terms?
the website is itself is ok to buy from as long as the item you brought has no problem , but their free return and refund service do work, you will pay for postage,there is no help, the dispute don’t work, no reliable, you know a good website when things go wrong, their customer service is none existence and they don’t issue refunds.
It’s important to fill in the dispute form timely and correctly. In this case, the users normally get refunds if they are liable to them, of course.
AliExpress is fine just so long as you don’t run into any problems but it’s a nightmare if you do. Disputes are normally settled quickly but in problem cases it can turn into a nightmare. Try getting in touch with an actual human being to explain your case and it’s not possible. The only way to chat is with Eva the BOT and it’s frustrating to say the least. There’s no email or telephone numbers to speak to a customer service representative and if you can’t resolve the problem with the actual store then you’re on your own with no one to talk to except Eva the useless BOT who is programmed to answer simple questions only.
The best instrument is the chat with the seller and the dispute, so better use them.