Has anybody ordered from AliExpress . How is the service . Is the delivery safe .

Thanks

Yes, if there's a problem they refund you very quickly.

I recently ordered a Mod and an RDA but the box arrived with only the RDA inside. Took pictures (the customs sticker also said "1 item") and opened a dispute. A couple days later I got refunded the full order amount, so I ended up getting the RDA for free.

Edited January 14, 20206 yr by tetrasection

My biggest pain was customs in SA. Not the fault of AliExpress.

Hi recently placed a small order from AliExpress living in Zim. It did take 2 months to arrive, but it got here and they were responsive when I queried as thought it might have gone missing.

Make sure at least 10 people have revued the product you buy from aliexpress  , then you should know if it junk is or not .

6 weeks or longer for stuff to arrive , SAPO and customs take forever to clear parcels .

Thanks for your responses .

I have bought equipment a couple of times from Racergadgets SA . Buffalo international logistics handled the delivery and duties . They would phone and request the duties to be paid into their account and not later than 2 days you get the delevery  . Orders from China , USA with delivery cost same as local . From order date to delivery at your gate about 21 days . Unfortunately you can't get some equipment from them .

I guess Racegadgets is just a dropshipping company ordering from Banggood. They normally also do the Buffalo shipping. Best tip I can give is order something that has a tracking number.

Banggood ordering through Buffalo takes around 20days to arrive. Aliexpress around 60 days

7 minutes ago, Luminous said:

Racegadgets

Yup, racergadgets (also ElectronicPro, Buy 2 Save, Macsell) is just a drop-shipper. Thanks for the info on Buffalo.

39 minutes ago, Luminous said:

I guess Racegadgets is just a dropshipping company ordering from Banggood. They normally also do the Buffalo shipping. Best tip I can give is order something that has a tracking number.

Banggood ordering through Buffalo takes around 20days to arrive. Aliexpress around 60 days

Thanks for info on Banggood . I was scared because of their low prices , but if they use Buffalo international logistics I will try them some time . 

I Send the parcel to the USA using an aramax account/address. Usually, the shipping to USA is free, then you only pay for the Aramax to SA, it arrives quicker and has tracking etc.

In my experience, the shops on Aliexpress that I've dealt with are overly-keen to please. They really do respond quickly if you are unhappy and it seems that if you put a bad comment on their products/shops the entire family is shamed, so they are ultra careful.

 

If ordering from Banggood. Use this one from my experience it is best.

South Africa Direct Mail (Tax Free)  7-15 business days Tracked

Stay away from AliExpress. Put in an order and paid for it end of November 2025. Expected delivery 21 December 2025. I keep following up with no response. I filed for refund and get a dispute answer. By end January 2026 after numerous follow up on the website, I get this immediate automated responses that the case is closed. Too late in their terms for the refund. Responses looked like automatic replies. On the tracking it still shows that customs need to be paid, but I received no information. They have may email and mobile number.

17 hours ago, wawiel said:

Stay away from AliExpress. Put in an order and paid for it end of November 2025. Expected delivery 21 December 2025. I keep following up with no response. I filed for refund and get a dispute answer. By end January 2026 after numerous follow up on the website, I get this immediate automated responses that the case is closed. Too late in their terms for the refund. Responses looked like automatic replies. On the tracking it still shows that customs need to be paid, but I received no information. They have may email and mobile number.

Think this is pure bad luck, My wife and I, always use AliExpress and always get refunded when we don't receive goods or when wrong stuff has been delivered. I Just received my SONOFF stuff which I ordered in January this year and they delivered quicker than their initial expected delivery date

Another package delivered. Ordered this last week Wednesday and it arrived this morning

Edited February 11Feb 11 by hoohloc