Install for freeHow to choose a seller on AliExpres
During shopping on AliExpress, we usually pay attention to the characteristics of the product, the price, and the terms and cost of delivery. Sometimes, however, we overlook an important nuance such as to choose a seller on AliExpress. This platform consists of hundreds of thousands of stores. Some specialize in specific brands or product categories, others sell a variety of items. Some trade honestly with respect to the customer, while others may resort to deception or carelessly handle an order, sending a wrong model or defective product, or even a deck of cards instead of a phone, for example.
The seller on AliExpress determines what you receive and how quickly, how well the product is packaged, and whether your dispute will be satisfactorily and fully resolved if something goes wrong. Therefore, it’s crucial to pay proper attention when choosing a store. Let’s consider the parameters that help determine a reliable seller.
Can You Trust Stores on AliExpress?
Behind each store on AliExpress, with rare exceptions, are different people. Undoubtedly, there are those ready for quick profits through fraudulent activities. But there are also those who have worked for years on their reputation and are willing to offer you a discount or gift for even the slightest dissatisfaction, even if it’s not their fault. Therefore, it’s important to understand in advance which seller to find and choose.
Seller’s Rating
The seller’s rating is displayed in the top left corner when you hover over the line with information about the AliExpress seller. However, there is little information there. And stores can inflate this rating. Besides, to see this rating, you need to visit the page of each store that interests you.
An objective detailed rating of the seller on AliExpress according to 5 criteria can be shown by the free browser extension AliHelper. It will help you find a reliable seller on Aliexpress.
Here is the rating of the same seller, which you can view right in the card of the product you’re interested in. AliHelper also helps you track packages and discounts, shows the price change graph, similar products, etc.
Duration on AliExpress
The term “fly-by-night company” is also applicable to AliExpress stores. Of course, not every newcomer should be suspected, but all factors should be considered collectively. However, being on the platform for up to six months may indicate that the seller has re-registered because their rating has dropped or may resort to various fraudulent schemes because they have nothing to lose. On the other hand, a store registered several years ago with a high rating is very likely trustworthy.
Sales Volume, Product Reviews, and Ratings
These parameters should be considered together to choose a seller on AliExpress. If a product has a 5/5 rating, but only three people have bought it, it’s hardly an indisputable sign of a reliable store and good product. On the other hand, if a product has been purchased 9.5 thousand times and has a rating of 4.4/5 (preferably not lower than 4.5), it’s worth reading the reviews. Unfortunately, customers might not understand the product, make a mistake in its functionality, take revenge on the seller for some subjective reason, or vent on them for difficulties with the courier, delivery service, collection point, or post office manager.
Also, be cautious if there are fewer than 20% of reviews compared to the number of purchases, but the rating is high. This could be a sign of manipulation.
Store Specialization
Some stores may specialize in individual product categories. For example, licensed sales of Xiaomi technology, children’s clothing, art items, fishing gear, etc. Such sellers often have much deeper knowledge in their niche, can give expert recommendations, offer unique products that are hard to find in other stores. Specialized sellers on AliExpress are generally more trustworthy, as they value their professional reputation. Therefore, if you are looking for something specific or want to ensure the quality and reliability of the store, it’s better to choose a specialized seller rather than a general one that sells a variety of items.
Communication with the Seller on AliExpress
If you plan to order an expensive or important item for you, or if you have questions, don’t hesitate to communicate with the seller. Of course, the willingness to answer questions quickly and politely is not a sign of honesty. However, this will help assess their adequacy and professionalism, check how responsive the store representative is, and how they respond to your questions. The more information you get from the communication, the easier it will be to find a seller on AliExpress rationally.
Which Seller on AliExpress is Better to Buy From
Here are the characteristics that indirectly indicate a seller worth choosing:
- Their products match the description;
- They readily engage with customers;
- Parcels are shipped immediately after the order;
- The store has been on the platform for more than two years;
- Less than 5% of customers are dissatisfied with the products.
How to Avoid Scammers
- Gather all possible information about AliExpress sellers you plan to purchase from. Of course, this is mainly about important or expensive acquisitions. Some electronics, spare parts, and components are sold only by individual sellers or in limited quantities, and in this case, it is especially important to make the right choice immediately;
- Carefully study the reviews. Focus on the negative feedback. Analyze how objective the complaints are. Consider how critical the shortcomings encountered by some customers are personally for you. For instance, if you see that several people complain that they received an item of the wrong color or size, do not hesitate to contact the seller to clarify that it is important for you to own a product with a specific feature or configuration;
- Try to choose a store that has been registered on the site for at least a year and has a good rating on AliExpress and in AliHelper;
- Do not agree if the supplier asks you to perform some unusual action (for example, send money somewhere to purchase a product at a discount; not open a dispute when the seller’s protection expires, etc.). A person who offers you such a thing is definitely not interested in your benefit.
How to Distinguish Real Discounts from Fake Ones
Even if you have managed to identify a seller who is reliable in all aspects, you should also find out whether they are offering you a fake discount on a specific product. AliHelper can also help you with this.
1. Go to the card of the desired product and look at the price before the discount. For example, a store offers a smartphone that supposedly once cost $349.23, with a 29% discount;
2. Open the “Price change” section in AliHelper. In our case, it is evident that the smartphone never cost more than $294, and usually, it can be bought for $201. The supplier is just pretending to offer a generous discount;
3. If you see that the price was lower before than it is now, and you want to buy this product more profitably, click on the “+ Monitor the price” button. When the price drops again, you will receive a notification.
Now you know how to choose a seller on AliExpress in 2024, from whom it is better to purchase. Study each one before placing an order. We wish you profitable and successful shopping and dropshipping!
