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AliExpress 11.11 "World's Biggest Shopping Event" $10 off $99 Spend, Millions of 50% off Items

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Still a few days away, but Singles Day in China is also the biggest shopping event in the world as they claimed (USD$5.75 billion transaction over 24 hours last year). It has also gone international. For this year, AliExpress is having many shops doing 50% off items and $10 off when you spend USD $99 or more. So

  • You don't need to be in China to participate.
  • You don't need to be single to shop either.

We'll use this post as overall discussion on this event next Tuesday.

This is part of Singles' Day Sales for 2014.

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closed Comments

  • Can we charge to PayPal when purchasing on AliExpress?

    • +2

      No… Aliexpress doesn't accept paypal
      .. They do accept Visa and Mastercard

    • +4

      Ever since jumping onto the AliXpresss bandwagon, I've had credit card fraud thrice. Not sure if it's a coincidence but me and the bank are stumped.

      • +5

        aliexpress is a escrow service so the sellers certainly arent at fault

        maybe its your subscription to undergroundhookerznhackerz.net

        • I wish PayPal did escrow :(

  • +8

    Just be careful of apparent 'discounts'; say I search for a Pipo W4 tablet, most of them are selling for ~$130, but the ones that say 'X% off during the sale' are super overpriced and after the discount would be the same price, if not more than usual

  • +2

    My advice for those new to aliexpress, it's going make life much easier for you if you have an agent, you can almost always haggle the price down or get extra goodies. You can request specific things on your order that the item listing doesn't provide, you can even get your order packed exactly how you like it!
    Ali Express won't release money to the vendor till you don't confirm you have received the item and it's as described.

    • +5

      Where can I find such an agent?

    • How do I get an agent? It won't work if I try to haggle price down myself?

      • +6

        The best way is to learn Chinese,and go shopping on
        www.taobao.com……..

        • +5

          taobao sell crazzy stuff. Last time I bought a phone , the charger explode like twice. The first one is ok , nothing fatal. But the second one is crazy , It exploded so loud that the noise is like a bomb and almost all of the electricity in my house off. Lucky I got good Power Bar Switch , anti-fire & anti electricity. Otherwise it might burn all of the whole house.

          ANyway tmall is better, they mostly sell high quality & original stuff. Try to avoid taobao, too risky

      • +1

        Yes it will work if you do it yourself,all sellers I have encountered speak English.

    • +4

      Were you sent here by the devil?

      • +6

        No good sir… I'm on the level

        • +3

          Monorail

    • +1

      Agents add to Cost. Not a Bargain.

  • Tips on what kind of stuff to get from aliexpress? I'm looking at some of their men's bags: http://activities.aliexpress.com/1111_men_fashion.php?spm=52…

    • +3

      Read the description very carefully. Often the title will say "LEATHER" but then the description will say "PU leather". PU= polyurethane = cheap &crap.

      • +4

        I'd prefer Chinese PU leather to their real leather.

        • Isn't Chinese PU leather often actually dog leather?

        • I think you are getting confused - fake chinese fur is often dog fur. As far as I know, fake leather is usually fake leather.

      • Brought three of these manbags. Garbage quality.

  • Is this some kind of regulated spinoff of alibaba?

    lol @ http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Hot-Winter-Male-s-Ho…

    • +8

      alibaba= wholesale, aliexpress= retail

  • +8

    Be careful on Aliexpress, not all sellers are genuine. Not everything is "cheap" nor a good deal. Often the same items/listings are on ebay and (surprisingly) cheaper.

    SOME good deals can be had but should be treat as a samples purchasing (if you intend to sell on).
    Better pricing (though also a minefield) on Alibaba - which is the "wholesale" main parent of Aliexpress.

    • +1

      Yep, a lot of the prices on Ali Express are ridiculously high.
      And if you approach the same seller through Alibaba they will quote the normal good price.
      Though some sellers treat AliExpress seriously and have reasonable prices there.

  • +3

    Oh, and another thing. Sellers on both sites sell "925 sterling silver" - stamped with 925.
    These items are often silver plated or silver filled and not genuine sterling silver.

    • -1

      Yes, it is best to purchase silver jewelry from American merchants. You could (and presumably still can) get silver rings with semi precious stones like amethyst, citrine, & tiger eye for $10 US from some US Ebay sellers. Much cheaper than buying from a local jewelry shop, though there might be some minor blemishes in the silver.

    • +1

      even they can stamp '18k' on the ring that now being sold on ebay as real gold.
      sometimes comes with 'real diamond'. and most of them listed on ebay as Australian seller, although if you check their profiles and feedbacks they all are in the same chinese group.
      complained a few times about this group to ebay but they keep coming back with new accounts

      • ebay couldn't give a toss, they let China based sellers get away with all sorts.
        I bought some eneloop from a seller based in "Sydney", they took 4 weeks to arrive from China via Melbourne (some kind of deal with a courier).

  • Good to know, thanks

  • +1

    You don't need to be single to shop either.

    Well that one's new.

    I have doubts you'll get 50% off anything desirable like electronics and gadgets.

    • +1

      Well that one's new.

      Have you been shopping at couples-only stores all this while? :)

    • Hehe. That was tongue in cheek.

      • +4

        Your own cheek?

        • @rifter:I see what you've done there :p

    • -1

      Since your Mum isn't here to change that nappy Phoebus I thought I'd help you out here
      These new search functions they put onto websites may just be the future

  • +2

    You don't need to be single to shop either.

    Thanks because I'd thought you had to be single to shop on "Singles Day". I was saving up for "Wife Swapping Day"

    • -1

      is that meant to be funny?

    • I dont got a wife to swap you, but if you're willing to rent yours out maybe we can come to an arrangement :)

  • +7

    Shopping on Aliexpress can be quite an overwhelming experience for the uninitiated and there are also quite a lot of things to be aware of as well as precautions to take.

    If you don't know what you're doing, and don't take the time to learn before you jump in, you could potentially end up with a counterfeit or faulty item or even not have your purchase show up at all.

    Given they do NOT accept PayPal (PayPal is owned by their 'arch rival' ebay so that is understandable), the dispute resolution process in the event of a shopping experience gone sour can be a lot more cumbersome than on Ebay for example.

    Buyer Beware!

    For those who wish to participate in this sale, I highly encourage you read the detailed post we've prepared about the company and the tips and precautions one need to take to make sure they have a good shopping experience on the site (which is definitely possible if you're well informed)

    http://spendinghacker.com.au/biggest-online-shopping-event/

  • +7

    Hi Everybody,

    Let's not forget that the 11 November is is really about Remembrance Day.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remembrance_Day

    • +5

      Not in China

    • The seller is a company called LOVE International Electronic Commerce Co., Ltd.

      They sell sex toys. They have a feedback rating of 80%

    • +1

      they only have 5 pieces of feedback, I wouldn't want to be a guinea pig

    • +1

      I wouldn't risk it.

    • Fact it says boses and not bose would be the big no no for me

  • +4

    Watch your credit card!!!

    Great site, more range than ebay, but weeks after making my first purchase here with a rarely used credit card, I was subject to fraudulent transactions in Ireland, USA, and Asia on the same day.

    My bank picked it up, but not before they put me into negative credit, causing months of chasing the bank. They wouldn't give me a new card until I paid my card back into credit - ridiculous. Was much harder than it should have been (Bank of Melbourne) with multiple screwups and apologies from the complaints dept.

    • +9

      I've ordered quite a bit from them and haven't had any problems with my card.

      Are you certain it was from aliexpress?

    • +2

      See my other comment. Had precisely the same issue!!!

      • Also had exactly the same problem - there are some good bargains on AliExpress, using your credit card on AliExpress runs a good chance of fraud.

    • +3

      I've had 90+ orders on aliexpress. never a problem.

    • +3

      I've done 220 orders on AliExpress and never had a problem with unauthorised transactions on a credit card.

  • -5

    Most of the mobile phones sold there are fake ones.
    e.g. below one is on their mobile phone 11.11 front page. i can confirm it is a fake huawei 3X and the memery has only 512M instead of 2GB. only dual core instead of 8 core!

    http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/original-Huawei-Hono…

    • +3

      You need to use your common sense to make your own judgment upon a seller and an item, just like buying something from eBay. Also Ali has a good refunding system I think.

    • How did you 'confirm' btw? It's a correctly priced 3x, taobao has been selling 3x at the 1k RMB mark for ages. I'm not defending aliexpress but I don't like random BS either.

      • huawei 3X pro has never been sold below 1000RMB

  • I just recently bought some goods from this site from various sellers…No idea how it'll go but I do know some people who use it frequently and have gotten their goods (few times not as described but I figured that's just like eBay).

  • +1

    Be careful. Unlike eBay's dispute resolution process, Aliexpress automatically marks item as received if you don't start a dispute within a given timeframe. This timeframe can be from 10 to 60 days, depending on the type of shipping you have selected. Once the timeframe has passed Aliexpress want nothing to do with it, so there is no way to start a dispute, other than with your credit card issuer.

  • +1

    Don't fall for these %off sales. Picked up memory cards from their previous sale and the cards were counterfeit.

  • +11

    OK, I think it is better to put a guide on TAOBAO or AliExpress.

    First thing, there are some fakes around. HOWEVER, if you ask the seller if it is genuine, you get a confirmation from the seller, and you get fakes, then open a dispute, sometime you get 3x amount back ($100 purchase, $300 back), sometime you only get full refund. From my personal experiences, 30% and 70%. So ask first, then buy, just like I always do on Ebay.

    Secondly, remember that once your purchase confirmed, you paid, your money has NOT gone to the seller, yet. Taobao will hold your fund until you confimed that you received the item. And you can leave feedbacks, even after a month you received the item, you can put additional feedback on the item. Neg feedback is a big deal, because: 1, it affects the sellers ranking on general search; 2, the unhappy customer will either ask refund or exchange anyway. If the refund or exchange request of the item has been ignored by the seller, then please see the above, 30% chance to earn some money.

    Third, bargaining is a must. This is the way the most Chinese grow up/sleep/breath/live with. Know your items, ask for discount, ask for extras (sd cards, usb, batteries, adaptors etc..), as long as you don't go too ridiculous, you will have a deal. For example, a chair is marked for $20, the cost is $7, you ask above $15 then you get a deal, you ask for $10, they might not do it unless you have something else purchased through the same seller, becasue the most sellers can reduce the margin for their own labour, rent, etc..for your good feedback.

    Next thing is the shipping. Get all your items weighted before sending out, ask the seller, either provide the size and weight or weight it before sending out. Because your international shipping company ONLY overcharges you, NEVER undercharges.

    Last thing is when you received your package, any damage or suspicious, ask the driver to hold on a second, open it up and then sign on the receipt. Any damage, ask the driver also sign on the delivery doc confiming that the package is damaged.

    THat's all for now. Have a good weekend.

    • -6

      Unlike those on ebay, the sellers here give a damn about a dispute or a negative feedback - possibly, they know the outcome of any dispute will be in their favor only. Based on my past experience, I personally would think twice before buying anything from these guys.

      • +5

        Rubbish. I've bought many things from aliexpress and never had any issues with most purchases, and had refunds when things go wrong.

        • I think I have purchased 3 or 4 times from aliexpress. for my last two purchased one they sent the wrong thing the other was fake. Both I disputed and got my money, but the worst part of it, is that once the dispute is closed in your favour you cant put negative ratings on the seller to warn others. I much prefer the ebay approach where you can still provide feedback. (Its been a while for me since something has gone wrong on ebay, so assuming its still like this)

      • +2

        lol - eBay urinates all over sellers!

        Totally one-sided in favour of the buyer on eBay

        • No way eBay totally favoured the seller in my case!
          I once bought a set of bike fairings …1 they where like toy parts and 2 they where totally different to what was pictured, totally wrong style, 1 part wasn't even right part…
          Paid ~250 shipping and ~250 for the item, disputed, PayPal sided with me, but told me I had to send the item back. Basically pay 250 shipping and get refunded 250 for the item…they wouldn't refund shipping either way… So basically best case I'd end up -500 and the seller would end up 0 out of packet with his items back to sell to the next sucker… Worst experience ever!!!

        • @wisc:
          unlucky brother,but interesting strategy by the seller… hmmm…

    • +1

      I bought many items from Ali express & from different sellers. Haven't had any issue so far, paid using City Back Visa.. Anyway its my personal experience..

    • How do you shop on Taobao? With what do you pay, Visa? I thought it is only for those who are in China.

  • Is TAOBAO any better? It does belong to Alibaba.

    • There are more decent sellers on taobao imo. However, tmall should be the best among alibaba's three retailers as it's B2C.

  • China’s Single’s Day scams - China Price Watch - …: http://youtu.be/VFGOkGO2jkE

    • +2

      Sounds just like what Dick Smith is doing whenever there is a 20% discount sale on eBay…increase the base prices and then advertise a 'discount'…

  • +3

    My only warning about Aliexpress after making 90+ orders over the last 3 years.

    all "too cheap" memory cards and usb sticks are fake.
    if they are too cheap then they are fake.
    I've bought a few (6) thinking I might be lucky to get a bargain and everytime they turn out to be fake.
    I always test them with H2Test and then make screen shots of the failed tests and use those when opening a dispute.
    With all 6 fake memory cards and usb sticks I have ordered I have received a full refund through dispute resolution.

    • -2

      geez, after 6 fake items and you still buying from them

      • +1

        how many people on Ozbargain repeatedly get burnt by DSE?

        • how many people in the world from aliexpress??

        • @brongz: how many people in the world??

  • -2

    safe to buy iPhone there?

  • Has anyone found the secret parcel for an extra try?

    • +1

      I just found it. I went through the Continue Shopping menu at the bottom of http://activities.aliexpress.com/1111_digital_world.php and when I selected "Men's Fashion" it showed a parcel on the right side near the top. Click the parcel and then the parcel game was played in some kind of overlay. Do you think it's Men's Fashion for everyone? http://activities.aliexpress.com/1111_men_fashion.php

      Hint, make your browser window small before clicking the start. The game can be very big otherwise, requiring large mouse movements. Only 20 minutes left to find the Secret Parcel.

      It only took 20 minutes for me to find the Secret Parcel so the 159 coins are hardly worth it…

  • +2

    Just use the same method as ebay. Look for sellers with lots of positive feedback. Their dispute system is actually quite good as the money doesn't go to seller until you confirm it's all good.

    Except for this situation

    If the seller tells you they want to give you a refund on shipping, DO NOT ACCEPT! by accepting a refund of say 5% it actually releases the funds to the seller without you getting the item. It's a very common scam.

    This site is great for everything electrical.

  • Cheers scotty didnt even know about this day.

  • +5

    As a Chinese, just want to say, 11.11 is bullshit!!!!!!everything is overpriced, if you guys have price changing plug in on chrome, you should see how they overprice the goods before the event, and pretend to give you discount.

    • +2

      We knew.

    • +1

      Confirmed. I found an item which will go %62 off on 11.11, found same item from different seller with no discount and still was way cheaper.

  • -2

    Almost all fake, inferior or refurbished products there! If you prefer cheap but not quality, maybe you can buy something there. But keep away from electrical, you risk your life. Once bought 2 PSU for my laptop and game console. One the screw on one end is loose on arrival. The unit fell apart and can not be used; one getting very hot and dead in 5 minutes. Then asked and got replacements, the 1st one seems working for 2 days. Then I got the 2nd replacement, it exploded just in several seconds, sticky liquid all over my office table and my cloth; Then i threw away the only working one. So scare of it. Never again.

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