Any1 used Aliexpress?

[Leonard 13]

Hey guys

Finding a lot of parts here, more so than many other places online. Seems a bit too good to be true. Has anyone used this site before? Good service? Smooth transaction? Is important tax included in shipping costs? 

Seems to have a great deal of mods at good prices. 

[nikndel 509]

Used them a couple of times everything turned up as described and time wise pretty good with tracking info as for taxes depends on how much you spend

[MartinT 514]

Yes, I use them a lot for electronics and components.  They are reliable and deliver relatively fast (usually within two weeks).

Tax and handling charges are pot luck.

[86iain 44]

Yes, a few times.

[Kodename47 446]

Depends on what you want to buy. Small parts will likely be fine but anything larger I'd have reservations about quality and shipping.

[ThatGuyThere 54]

Ali Express is a little like eBay (maybe with some elements of Amazon) - so there's a million different companies on there. Some great, some scammers.

Import taxes will sometimes apply (and you are responsible for dealing with them) but many sellers will under value the items to avoid you getting any.

If something's too good to be true - it is. Look for feedback, contact the seller before buying if it's a high-value item to make sure they seem genuine if you have doubts, and try to use the ali express buyer protections - I can't remember if they apply to *all* listings or not.

[ThatGuyThere 54]

Oh, and fakes. Many, many, many fakes. Not all are total shite though - but be aware!

[MartinT 514]

On the other hand, AliExpress is the only place to buy Chinese enthusiast designs like this master crystal oscillator, the second one I have on order (the first one arrived within 10 days):

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000151765428.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.748a4c4dLAAJBi