How To Know If An Aliexpress Seller Is Reliable

“is AliExpress legit?”

If you’ve ever found yourself scrolling through endless deals and steals on AliExpress, this question has probably crossed your mind. 

With over 10,000 sellers offering different items at low prices, it's easy to wonder if you're getting a good deal or not.

Here’s the thing: AliExpress is legit, but not every seller on the platform is trustworthy. Just like any huge online marketplace, it’s a mixed bag. Some sellers are reliable and offer high-quality products, while others… not so much. 

So how do you figure out who to trust as you shop your heart away? Let’s dive into the essential steps to ensure that your next AliExpress purchase is a success.

Walk with me!

Check Seller Ratings and Reviews

If you’ve seen those little star ratings when browsing through products on AliExpress, they’re not just there for decoration—those stars represent how satisfied previous buyers were with the seller. 

The more stars a seller has, the better. It’s like saying, "Hey, this seller knows what they’re doing, and people are happy with their service."

But why are these ratings so important? 

Well, AliExpress is a big marketplace, and not every seller is out to offer the best service. Some might sell low-quality items, while others could have terrible customer service. The seller ratings help you avoid these bad apples. 

If a seller consistently gets high ratings, that’s a good sign. it shows that they are reliable, their products are decent, and they will likely handle any issues professionally.

How to Interpret Seller Ratings

When looking at ratings, you’ll usually see a score between 1 and 5 stars. Here’s what they mean:

4.5 – 5 stars: 

This is the best star a seller can get. A seller with a rating in this range is trustworthy, has good-quality products, and provides solid customer service.

4 – 4.4 stars: 

If 4.6 - 5 stars is rated A+ then this 4 - 4.4 stars are B+. A seller with this rating is also reliable. The catch here is that you get to read a few more reviews to see what issues any buyer experienced.

3 – 3.9 stars:

We can give thIs a passmark of C. while C is good, C in pharmacy school is a failure. To avoid any issues, you are advised to proceed with caution. 

A seller with this rating might have some issues like slow shipping, poor customer service, or questionable product quality. Check the reviews carefully before deciding.

Below 3 stars: 

Skip! Skip!! Skip!!!

Sellers with ratings below 3 stars are usually disasters waiting to happen. If you decide to "f around," you might find out why they have such a rating in the first place.

If you are tempted to “f around and find out,” kindly look elsewhere. Sellers in this category might pack the wrong item, run with your money or deliver a low-quality item.

Another thing to note…

The number of ratings also matters. A seller with a 4.9-star rating and only 20 reviews might not be as reliable as a seller with a 4.6-star rating and many more reviews.

Related: 7 Tips to Avoid Scammers on AliExpress

Reading Reviews

It's not enough to just check the seller ratings, take the time to read a few reviews. This is where you’ll get a more detailed picture of the seller’s reliability. 

When reading through the reviews, look for consistency. If multiple buyers mention fast shipping, quality products, and great communication, that’s a good sign. 

On the flip side, if you see repeated complaints about slow delivery, poor packaging, or wrong items, RUNNNNNN O.

Sometimes, sellers might have a mix of positive and negative reviews. This can be confusing, but the key is to pay attention to the patterns. If 90% of the reviews are good and 10% mention minor issues, the seller is likely reliable. 

But if the reviews are evenly divided between good and bad, or if you see a specific problem mentioned repeatedly, you might want to rethink your purchase.

Verify the Seller’s Time on AliExpress

Quote: Time is of the essence

One easy way to gauge a seller’s reliability is by checking how long they’ve been active on the platform. 

Sellers who have been around for a long time have most likely built a track record. They’ve completed many transactions, dealt with different customers, and faced various challenges that come with selling online. 

Related: Logistics Problems that Online Stores Face in 2024

This means they’ve had time to prove their credibility. If they were unreliable they would have been exposed through negative reviews and low ratings.

A seller who just popped up last week doesn’t have that same history. They may be reliable, but since they’re new, there isn’t enough information available to confirm that. 

And like the saying in marketing goes, “In God we trust, all others must bring data.”

How to Check a Seller’s Time on AliExpress

• Go to the product page of the item you want to buy.
• Scroll until you see the section about customer reviews, specifications, description, and store, and you may also like. Click on “store” to continue.

• Click on the store name to access more information about it. You will be led to a new page.
• On that new page, hover over the store name, and you will see its details, including access to its business license.

If a seller has been on the platform for several years, that’s usually a good sign. It means they’ve been in the game long enough to understand the ropes.

Experience matters; the longer a seller has been around, the more likely they are to have earned their place on the platform.

Quote: “Experience is the best teacher.”

Related: 6 Amazon Seller Mistakes And How To Avoid Them

Examine Product Descriptions and Details

The product description is the seller's way of telling you everything you need to know about the item. A detailed and clear product description is a sign of a reliable seller, so it's important to pay attention to this section.

When a seller takes the time to provide a detailed product description, they are helping you make an informed decision. A good description will tell you exactly what you’re getting—size, color, materials, functions, and other important details. 

For example, here is a detailed product description for a bag to help you make an informed decision about buying.

Another thing you want to look for in the product description is accurate images. A reliable seller will provide clear, high-quality images that show the product from different angles. 

The photos should be real images of the product, not just stock images or overly edited pictures that look too good to be true. 

Related: The Best High-Demand Products for 2024

Good images can help you see exactly what you’re getting and better understand the product's size, color, and quality.

In addition to images, pay attention to the specifications. These should include important measurements, material details, and any features or functions the product offers. 

If you’re buying electronics, for example, the seller should list the specs, such as battery life or storage capacity. If you’re buying clothing, look for size charts and fabric information. The more details you have, the less likely you are to be surprised.

Related: Best Websites to Buy Refurbished Electronics in the USA

Signs of a Reliable Seller

One of the biggest signs of a reliable seller is how professional their product descriptions are. A clear, well-written description shows that the seller cares about their product and wants to provide you with all the information you need to make a confident purchase.

Reliable sellers are also transparent. They list both the pros and cons of the product and don’t try to hide important details. If a product has a slight flaw or a specific use case, they’ll mention it upfront.

On the other hand, be wary of sellers who offer vague or very brief descriptions. If the details are missing, unclear, or feel rushed, it could be a sign that the seller isn’t taking their business seriously—or worse, that they’re trying to hide something.

Communicate with the Seller

Reaching out to the seller on AliExpress can be one of the best ways to determine their reliability. It’s like talking to a store clerk when you’re unsure about something—they should be able to help, right? 

The good news is that AliExpress makes it easy to contact sellers directly. Whether you have questions about a product or want clarification on shipping details, a quick message can provide valuable insights into who you’re dealing with.

Getting in touch with a seller on AliExpress is pretty straightforward. On the product page, scroll down to the “store” details, and you will see an option to “message” the seller by the store name.

Response Time

A seller’s response time can tell you a lot about their level of service. If a seller replies quickly—within a few hours or at least the same day, it suggests that the seller is active, attentive, and values their customers. 

On the other hand, if you send a message and have to wait for Olympus to fall before you get a response, that is a red wrapper (a flag is too small). A lack of communication could mean the seller is unorganized, unprofessional, or not committed to providing good service.

Quality of Communication

“Oh yeah, the seller replied to me quickly.”

Bravo! But what did they say? Did they answer your question clearly, or beat around the bush, or send an automated response? Good sellers will provide detailed answers that directly address your concerns. 

For instance, if you ask about sizing, a good seller will go the extra mile to give you specific measurements or advise on which size would be best based on your needs.

Also, pay attention to how the seller communicates. Are they polite, professional, and patient? These qualities indicate a seller who is serious about customer service. 

If a seller’s responses seem rushed, rude or don’t answer your questions properly, it might be a sign that they’re not as reliable as you’d like. So please kiss them bye.

Related: Alibaba vs Aliexpress: Which Is Best for Your Business in 2024?

Look at Seller Guarantees and Policies

Checking a seller's guarantees and policies on AliExpress is one of the smartest moves you can make before placing an order. These policies tell you exactly what to expect if something goes wrong with your purchase. 

So, let’s say you saw this shoe you liked and went ahead to pay for it, eagerly waiting for it to be delivered. And finally, it was delivered. You are so excited that you rush to open it.

Instead of what you ordered, you see the wrong size, color, quality, and even type. Deep down, you know you won’t be able to wear it. So what next? This is where the seller’s return and refund policies come into play. 

If the seller has clear, customer-friendly policies, you can return the item for a refund or replacement without much stress. However, if their policies are vague or nonexistent, you could find yourself stuck with a product you don’t want and no way to get your money back.

Understanding Buyer Protection and Guarantees

AliExpress also offers its own form of protection called Buyer Protection. This is like an extra layer of security for your purchases. 

If your order doesn’t arrive on time, is different from the one described, or turns out to be a counterfeit product, AliExpress Buyer Protection allows you to open a dispute and potentially get a refund.

Sellers who offer additional guarantees, like longer refund periods or stress-free returns, are usually more trustworthy. These guarantees show that the seller is confident in their products and willing to take responsibility if something goes wrong. 

What to Look for in Seller Policies

Before you buy, always check the seller’s return and refund policies. Here are a few things to keep an eye out for:

Return Window: 

How many days do you have to return the item? Some sellers offer 15 days, while others might give you 30 or more.

Condition of Returned Items: 

Does the seller require the item to be in its original packaging? Can you return it if it’s been used?

Shipping Costs for Returns: 

Who covers the cost of returning the item—you or the seller? This is important because return shipping can be expensive, especially if you’re returning something internationally.

Refund Policy:

How long will it take to get your money back? Does the seller offer a full refund or only a partial one?

Compare Prices with Other Sellers

Just like you can go around stores in a market comparing the prices of items, you should also do that when shopping on AliExpress. It’s tempting to jump on a mouthwatering deal, but that’s where the danger lies. 

Everyone loves a bargain, but you should be cautious if you see a product priced lower than similar items. This is where you have to ask yourself, “Why?”

“Oh, they are offering a promo, which is why it is cheap.” Why?

“Maybe they have old goods they want to offload.” why?

“So they can free up space for new products coming.”

“But other people have discounts, too. This one is about 90% off. Are you sure they are not hiding something?”

When you question certain price differences, you can avoid scams. Scammers on the platform sometimes lure buyers with unbelievably low prices, only to disappear after taking your money. 

So, as much as a deal may look appealing, remember that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Callout: Instead of falling for scams, here is a much better way to get discounts and coupon codes.

How to Compare Similar Products and Seller Pricing

To avoid falling for these traps, compare prices across multiple sellers for a few minutes. 

Search for Similar Products: 

Start by looking for the same product from different sellers. Use the same keywords in the search bar and scroll through the options. You will notice a price range that most sellers fall within.

Check the Average Price: 

After searching, pay attention to the average price. This gives you a baseline of what that product costs. If most sellers price an item between $20 and $30, but one seller has it for $5, that’s a red wrapper.

Look at Seller Reputation: 

Don’t just focus on the price—check the seller’s ratings and reviews, too. A slightly higher price from a trusted seller is better than going for the lowest price from someone with no track record.

Factor in Shipping Costs: 

Sometimes, a low price is offset by high shipping fees. Always check the total cost, including shipping, to ensure you’re not tricked by a low upfront price but high delivery charges.

Storytime: One time, I wanted to buy something on AliExpress. The product cost about N4000, but the shipping cost was like N110,000. I quickly closed the tab.

Consider Using Heroshe's "Buy for Me" Service

If all of this research sounds overwhelming, or if you’re worried about falling for a scam, you can use Heroshe's Buy for Me service to have a more secure shopping experience. 

We understand that huge marketplaces like AliExpress can be overwhelming to navigate. That’s why we created our Buy for Me service to make your international shopping experience smooth and secure.

Here’s how we can help:

We Handle the Purchase: 

You send us the details of the item you want to buy, and we take care of the rest.

We Compare Prices and Quality: 

One of the most time-consuming parts of shopping online is comparing prices and reading through reviews. We do that heavy lifting for you. We check out the sellers, compare prices, and ensure you’re getting the best possible deal without compromising quality.

We Ensure the Seller is Reliable: 

We vet sellers' ratings, reviews, and length of time on the platform. We avoid sellers with sketchy reputations, so you don’t have to worry about being scammed or getting a poor-quality product.

We Handle Payment:

We put your funds in escrow to protect your money. This means that you only pay when you are satisfied with the product.

We Handle Shipping and Delivery: 

Once we’ve confirmed the purchase, we handle all the logistics and manage the entire process until your package arrives at your doorstep in Nigeria. 

So what do you say? Create a free account on Heroshe to start using Buy for Me.

Conclusion

When next you ask, “Is AliExpress legit?” remember that various kinds of sellers are on the platform. Some are out to serve you, and some are out to rip you. The information in this article can help you ensure your purchases are safe.

Did you love reading this? You can subscribe to the Heroshe blog to get more insightful updates like this straight to your inbox.