Online shopping has exploded in recent years and more and more people are looking to use the convenience of a shopping app to help them safely navigate the massive e-commerce world.
Aliexpress is one of the largest and most popular online shopping apps. With thousands of sellers and high-quality brands to choose from, there is always something for everyone.
Find out how you can use the Aliexpress app for your online shopping needs, how to download the app, and how you can shop safely using the app in the article below.
What Is AliExpress?
AliExpress is a premier online shopping app available for everyone. Users are treated to a wide variety of high-quality items and products from world-renowned brands. Find promotions, daily deals, discount offers, multiple coupons, and enjoy free shopping on selected items available within the app.
Check out millions of items from home decor to health, gaming products to toys for your kids. Use the camera on your phone to take pictures of items that you see in-person and like, and upload them to the app to find the exact match.
Bookmark your favorite items and purchase them at a later date through a personalized channel in the More to Love section.
AliExpress provides the best Buyer Protection program. You can choose a full refund if the item is not received within the dates specified. Make transactions much safer with secure payment methods as well.
Where to Download
AliExpress is free to download and free to use.
To download AliExpress, simply head over to the Google Play Store if you use an Android device or the App Store for iOS devices. Search for the name “AliExpress” and tap “Install” to download the app.
Wait for the app to finish installing and tap “Open” to launch the app. Login using your details and make sure to complete all the necessary information as well as your preferred payment method to begin shopping.
Tips to Buy Safely on AliExpress
Staying safe when online shopping is always important. There are a lot of legitimate and highly reputable sellers but you also need to limit your exposure to scams and frauds as you do not know when and where it can happen.
This is why knowing how to buy safely in online shopping apps like AliExpress is highly essential for those who are always using the app for online shopping.
The first thing that you need to check when buying online through AliExpress is the Buyer Protection standards. AliExpress has a very reputable Buyer Protection protocol that protects buyers from scams especially when it comes to the items that were not as described.
A full refund can be given if you don’t receive your order, while a full or partial refund of the item is given for those that receive an item that is not what was described or expected.
Buy Only from Established Sellers
It comes as no surprise that one of the most important things to remember when buying products online is to only purchase from established sellers. These kinds of sellers care more about their products and service hence they always look to make you happy with your transactions.
To check if you’re shopping from an established seller look for good ratings, better product quality, and oftentimes, these sellers a lot of products being offered.
Check how long the online store has been in business in AliExpress. The older they are, the better they should be when it comes to transactions. You can also check out how many orders have gone through the online store to see how many people trust their products and service.
Read Seller Reviews
It is important to read the reviews of the online seller first before purchasing anything from the store. The number of ratings and positive or negative reviews from the seller will heavily affect your decision to continue with your purchase of their products.
Stores that have a lot of negative reviews and comments are most likely going to disappoint you so try to look for another online store that has similar products.
Meanwhile, those with highly-rated reviews are most likely giving their customers some of the best customer service and products that they can give. This should indicate that you can trust the seller and it should encourage you to pick this store instead of others.
Review the Products
Provide a good review to the seller if you received the product in good condition and as you have expected. Provide a clear photo alongside a good description of how the processing and delivery time was. This will help encourage other buyers to rate the seller.
This will also help boost the ratings and trust for the seller as well. It creates a community of trusted sellers. Reviews will also help sellers improve on their service if there are any lapses on their part.
Talk to the Seller
It is always advised to talk to the seller before you purchase anything from their store. Whether you are inquiring about the product or simply want a bargain, it is always best to communicate with the seller just to make sure that he or she is able to reply to you with your concerns.
It is always a red flag when sellers do not reply within 24 hours especially if they are within your time zone.
Talk to the seller especially if you haven’t received your package yet and the protection is about to expire. Most of the time, sellers will have an update on your package or would give you advice on what to do.
Sellers could even extend the buyer protection or reach an agreement with you, so it is always best to keep communication open.
Read the Product Description Carefully
In choosing a product, buyers should read the product description in its entirety. This is highly advised especially when it comes to specifications.
Most of the time, the entire description of the product is already presented and we end up failing to consider the measurements and specifications of the product.
So, read the description, the features, and the compatibility of the product at hand. Make sure to check out their refund policy and considerations regarding the process of delivery.
Beware of Low Prices
There are times when AliExpress provides different sales and promotions within the app. This could mean that sellers offer their items at a super low price. However, you should still use caution when it comes to products with low prices.
If you feel that the product is priced lower than its real value, it is much better to find another seller. It is most likely a cheap knockoff from the original product and your money is much better invested in the real thing.
Be Careful of Free Shipping
Many of us love to save money by opting for a free shipping promo. If you are fond of buying many products all at once, it can save you a lot of money.
However, you should know that free shipping is often done by the National Post Service and it can take a long time before it arrives on your doorstep.
The longer the time it takes to reach its destination, the more it gets exposed to risks such as damage to the product. It is much better to go for the paid delivery service like DHL and other couriers as they provide better protection for your items during delivery.
Always Choose Official Payment Options
If you come across a seller that tells you to send money through unofficial or unapproved payment methods, it is most likely a scam. Report the seller and do not proceed with the transaction.
Sending money outside of the app will devoid your protection from scams so make sure to follow the procedure and only go for the payment options offered within the app.
AliExpress offers a lot of payment methods, including official credit cards and wire transfers, for those who want to have top-notch secured payments for their items. If you have issues with your payment methods, you can always check out their 24/7 help center for more information and assistance.
Avoid Confirming Order Before Receiving It
Never confirm your order before you receive your items. If you receive damaged goods you won’t be able to send any disputes as you have already closed your window of opportunity to do so.
Always make sure that the items you’ve purchased are in your possession first. Check them thoroughly before you confirm that you have received the items on the app.
Conclusion
Chinese sellers and products can have a bad reputation for being cheap and offering low-quality items. But this is rarely the case, and with major shopping apps like AliExpress, Chinese products are affordable and high quality as long as you follow the best shopping practices we’ve shared here with you.
