Is AliExpress safe?
AliExpress is a safe e-commerce platform with a reasonable privacy policy and buyer protection features. However, it’s a marketplace for independent sellers, and it doesn’t verify the quality or safety of all of its listings.
You’ll find plenty of legit products on AliExpress, many of which are more affordable than what you would find on other global marketplaces. Unfortunately, some listings on AliExpress are run by scammers and feature counterfeit or non-existent products. When you shop on AliExpress, you need to be extremely vigilant to avoid these scams and protect your money.
What features make AliExpress safe?
To protect its customers, AliExpress has implemented some helpful safety features. They don’t provide foolproof protection against scams, but they can help you resolve issues with sellers and avoid some frustrating situations.
Buyer protection
AliExpress offers buyer protection for 15 days after your delivery date. This means you’ll receive a full refund if:
- Your package arrives damaged.
- Your package doesn’t arrive at all.
- The item doesn’t meet the description in the listing.
To use buyer protection, you’ll need to initiate a dispute within the 15-day period. AliExpress encourages customers to work out a solution directly with the seller, but if that isn’t possible, it will step in and provide mediation services. If you received an item that was damaged or falsely advertised, you may need to return the item to the seller.
When applying for buyer protection, you’ll need to attach emails, screenshots, videos, or other supporting materials to illustrate the problem. If your buyer protection request is approved, you’ll receive a refund in 1-10 days using your original payment method or AliExpress Bonus account.
In some scenarios, buyer protection does not apply. For example, if a product arrives in good condition and you damage it yourself, you won’t be eligible for a refund. Buyer protection also does not apply to items that are perishable, have been personalized, or present hygiene concerns.
Payment handling
AliExpress handles all payments processed through the marketplace. The platform keeps your debit and credit card information private from third-party sellers. AliExpress allows you to store your payment details on the site for convenience, but you can opt out of this feature for extra privacy.
AliExpress also has its own secure payment service called AliPay, which is similar to platforms like PayPal and Venmo. If you want to use this payment option to shop on the platform, you can load money to your AliPay account with a debit card. Many businesses in China also accept AliPay for in-person shopping, making it a convenient option if you live or frequently travel there.
Seller ratings and reviews
AliExpress encourages customers to rate sellers and leave reviews when they shop on the platform. Checking these ratings and reviews can help you avoid scams or poor-quality products. Some reviewers will even include photos of the product they received, which can give you a better idea of what to expect.
Is AliExpress safe to use a credit card on?
It is safe to use credit cards on AliExpress because it uses a secure payment processor that keeps your credit card details private. You won’t have to worry about third-party sellers or cybercriminals accessing your credit card information.
You can also use AliPay or PayPal to purchase items on AliExpress. These platforms are considered some of the safest ways to pay online because they add an extra layer of separation between your credit card and the vendor.
Are there scams on AliExpress?
Unfortunately, you may encounter scams on AliExpress. However, if you stay vigilant, you can spot red flags and avoid these scams while shopping. Below are some of the most common scams you’ll find on AliExpress.
Brushing scams
Brushing scams happen when sellers send packages to people without their consent. These packages usually contain low-quality or counterfeit items.
Scammers create fake buyer accounts and use data breaches and other fraudulent tactics to find real names and addresses to send their products to, which creates a fake transaction on AliExpress. Once the package is delivered, the seller, disguised as a buyer, writes a review on the platform to artificially boost their seller rating.
New sellers use these scams to boost their ratings on AliExpress in an attempt to win more customers. If you receive unsolicited products, be sure to report them right away to help prevent other customers from falling for low-quality sellers.
Fake seller profiles
Some scammers create fake seller profiles on AliExpress with counterfeit products. These listings look legitimate at first glance, but the products don’t work properly, are made with poor-quality materials, and don’t match the product descriptions.
To avoid buying these products, shoppers should carefully review each seller’s profile before making a purchase. Fake seller profiles often have unrealistically low prices, vague descriptions, high return rates, and few to no original photos of the product, instead using digitally altered or clearly AI-generated images.
Additionally, keep an eye out for brand-new profiles that either have no reviews or a large volume of generic five-star reviews. These are often signs of a fake profile.
Missing items
In some cases, AliExpress customers order products that never arrive. This may happen due to a mail carrier issue or package theft. However, it can also mean that you’ve bought an item from a scammy seller.
To avoid this problem, read the seller’s reviews thoroughly before making a purchase. Look for profiles with a long history of on-time deliveries and a low dispute rating because these are signs of a trustworthy seller.
Fake refund scams
Fraudulent AliExpress sellers sometimes use refund scams to steal your money without sending you a quality product. You’ll order from a listing on AliExpress, and the product is either of very poor quality or never shows up. When you request a refund, the seller offers to pay you back using PayPal or another third-party site.
Then, the seller sends you money on PayPal and closes the dispute on AliExpress. After the dispute is closed, they’ll request a PayPal chargeback, keeping the money and leaving you with no recourse options.
To avoid this issue, always keep your disputes open on AliExpress until everything has been fully resolved through the platform. Also, don’t accept refunds through third-party platforms. Instead, wait for AliExpress to refund you using your original payment method or your AliExpress Bonus account.
How to stay safe while shopping on AliExpress
Shopping on AliExpress can be a great way to find deals, but you’ll need to watch for red flags. The platform has issues with fake products, misleading listings, and scams. Follow these tips to spot them and stay safe:
- Avoid pricing that’s too good to be true. Counterfeit items are common on AliExpress. If you see a coveted item like Apple AirPods or a Louis Vuitton bag selling for just a few dollars, that’s likely a scam. In general, it’s best to avoid buying these brand-name items on AliExpress because the risk of fraud is high.
- Check ratings and reviews. Reviews often include information about shipping, product quality, and seller communication. This information can help you decide whether or not a product is worth it.
- Read listings carefully. Before you make a purchase, read the entire listing to see what you’re actually buying. Some listings have misleading titles or photos that differ from what you’ll receive.
- Protect your AliExpress account. Proper cyber hygiene is just as important on AliExpress as it is on other platforms. For example, a strong, unique password can help protect your account and credit card data from identity theft and other cyber threats.
- Be aware of common threats and scams. If you shop on AliExpress regularly, stay up to date with the latest scams and threats so you can avoid them. It also helps to be aware of common cyber crimes like data breaches and phishing scams.
So is AliExpress legit and safe?
As a platform, AliExpress is safe, and it has many legitimate products. However, you may also encounter scam listings on the platform, so you’ll need to be vigilant when shopping and keep an eye out for red flags. This advice also applies to platforms like Temu and Shein, which use a similar third-party seller model.
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