Why is Aliexpress so cheap? Are the products genuine? [ Explainer]

I’m sure you may have seen a product or bought one sold at a ridiculously cheap price on Aliexpress that you begin to wonder why Aliexpress is so cheap? You may have also compared prices from other ecommerce websites like Amazon and you are surprised at the price difference. I understand your curiosity

. You want to be sure that these products sold at a cheaper price are genuine and durable. As someone with a deep knowledge of Aliexpress, one of the leading ecommerce brands, I am here to answer that question in detail to help you understand why it is so. This post will also cover other things relating to products on Aliexpress. 

What is Aliexpress?

It is one of the leading online retail services based in China where manufacturers mainly from China display their products for both individual and ecommerce businesses to buy. Launched in 2010, Aliexpress is owned by Alibaba group founded by Chinese billionaire and businessman, Jack Ma. 

Why is Aliexpress so cheap in terms of products?

Unlike eBay and Amazon, the majority of merchants on Aliexpress are Chinese and are based in China. They also source almost all their merchandise from Chinese manufacturers who are eager to sell their products and manufacture more.

So there is no space for middlemen who inflate prices to get their cut. This reduces costs for the merchants thereby making it easy for them to sell their products at a cheaper price. In addition, the Chinese government subsidizes China Post to help manufacturers and merchants in China survive the competition and grow at a faster pace.

That’s why some manufacturers can afford to ship some products to the United States and other parts of the world at a cheaper price compared to what is obtainable on Amazon.

Take a look at the screenshot below and you the products there selling at $0.01.

Another common reason products are cheaper on Aliexpress is that some of them are of low quality.

Chinese manufacturers consider the purchasing power of some of their customers, especially in developing countries where the disposable income of many is low. Hence the need to manufacture products they can afford.

If you are a regular customer of Aliexpress, you may have noticed that some of the products that sell at cheaper prices don’t have brand names. So it is hard to spot a genuine product that is durable. 

So whenever you ask why products on Aliexpress are cheap, these key reasons should come to mind:

• You buy directly from manufacturers who are eager to sell and recover the money they invested in production.
• The Chinese government subsidizes China Post making it easy for sellers who are mainly Chinese to ship products at a cheaper rate.
• Low-quality products are made to accommodate customers from poor countries with low purchasing power.

How can I buy products on Aliexpress?

Now you understand why products on Aliexpress are cheap, I guess you want to give it a try by asking how you can purchase a product.

Sign up for an account on Aliexpress.   Go to their official website and create an account. There you enter your email address to sign up.

After that, enter your first name, last name, gender, date of birth, nationality, and shopping category that suits you.

The aim of filling up these details is to have a complete profile on Aliexpress. To save time, you may consider signing up with your Facebook or Google account. 

Once your account is set, you can browse products on Aliexpress using the search bar at the top of the site. There is a product page for any product you want to buy.

There you see detail about such a product with the option to Add to Cart or Buy Now.

The interesting thing about Aliexpress is that you can buy in small quantities for your personal use or in bulk as someone who wants to resell on Facebook or Instagram.

Manufacturers who sell on Aliexpress are eager to know the quantity you want to buy and are willing to offer you great discounts to keep you as a loyal customer. They are also willing to do the heavy lifting of shipping to your location. 

What products can I buy on Aliexpress?

Aliexpress offers a wide range of products. Navigate to the product category and you will likely see the product you want to buy. Whether it is men’s fashion, women’s fashion, electronics, baby’s wear, wedding and celebrations, jewelry, cars, digital products, etc you are covered.

Depending on the quantity you want and strong financial commitment, some of the manufacturers are ready to manufacture products based on the specifications you want. 

Is Aliexpress safe for me as a buyer?

It is considered safe if you have done your due diligence on the product you want to purchase. As a global brand that is part of the Alibaba group, you can count on it to buy cheaper products. You are sure of safe and secured payment. Also, it has a refund policy that ensures you get a refund for undelivered, damaged, or late arrival products. 

Who can use Aliexpress?

Aliexpress is open to all users from across the globe. It is one of the major ecommerce platforms that support multiple languages for its website and mobile apps.

This is to ensure that potential shoppers irrespective of their language easily buy products on its platform. Aliexpress currently supports the following languages  on its website:

• English
• Spanish 
• French
•  Chinese 
• German
• Japanese 
• Hebrew
• Arabic 
• Italian 
• Dutch
• Turkish 
• Portuguese 
• Polish 
• Russian 
• Thai
• Korean

Scroll down to choose the language you want.

Key things to expect when buying products on Aliexpress 

Cheaper prices: Be ready to see attractive products selling at a cheaper price when you compare to other ecommerce websites like Amazon or eBay. 

Location not found: Don’t be surprised if you can’t find your location or region when you click on the drop-down menu to add your location for shipping. There is a provision below that for you to enter manually. 

Address & Payment: While other ecommerce platforms will require you to add your shipping and payment method when setting up your profile, Aliexpress only asks for this during check out for the first product you purchase. Such information will be saved for the future purchases you make. 

Language: Don’t expect British or American English on Aliexpress. Most of these sellers are Chinese. They aren’t native speakers of English. When you see grammatical errors, ignore them provided you are informed about the product you want to buy.

3 Challenges you may face buying a product on Aliexpress

There are challenges you may encounter if you’re a first-time buyer on Aliexpress. I want you to prepare your mind so they won’t be a surprise to you. 

1. Payment via Credit card & Alipay

You can’t make payments on Aliexpress using PayPal, Payoneer, Stripe, and other payment options common in the western world.

Credit cards and Alipay are the only methods of payment on Aliexpress. Although some sellers accept PayPal, that works if Aliexpress PayPal is supported in your country. The good news is that Aliexpress accepts any kind of credit or debit card. 

2. Delayed shipping & no tracking 

Delayed shipping is common on Aliexpress especially if a seller offers you free shipping. You may have to wait longer than usual to receive the product you bought. Also, there is no tracking number for most of the free shipping.

So you can’t follow up with the movement of your products. It’s advisable to ignore free shipping and pay for shipping fees.  That way you have peace of mind that your products will arrive within the expected period. 

3. Buying fake

Products on Aliexpress are cheap and it is easy to buy fake. Most of the western brands that focus more on quality no matter the price don’t sell directly on Aliexpress. So you are likely to buy a product with a logo of a top-rated brand at a cheaper price.

Just know that you are buying what looks like the original if you decide to go for it. If you care about quality products, the ideal thing is to make your findings of the seller and read reviews to make an informed decision. 

FAQs on why Aliexpress is cheap 

Before I call it a wrap, let’s look at some questions you ask that relate to cheap products on Aliexpress.

Does Aliexpress sell fake?

Some of the products on Aliexpress are fake. This accounts for while they are being sold at cheaper prices. 

Why is Aliexpress shipping so slow?

You are likely to witness slow shipping of your products if you opted for the free shipping that some sellers on Aliexpress offer. A product that is meant to arrive at your location in 14 days may take up to 25 days.

That is why it’s advisable to opt for paid shipping. At least you have a product tracking code and your product will arrive within the said period.

Why are products on Aliexpress cheaper than on Amazon?

Products on Aliexpress are mainly Chinese. The seller sources directly from the manufacturer. Even some manufacturers sell directly to customers.

That is why they are cheaper than Amazon which sells American and other western world products. Many sellers on Amazon aren’t Chinese and don’t source their products from China. 

Where do Aliexpress products come from?

Most of the products you see on Aliexpress are manufactured in China. 

 China is leading globally in terms of manufacturing consumer products. Aliexpress has given many Chinese manufacturers a platform to sell their products to the world.

Is Aliexpress like Wish?

In terms of products, both are similar. They sell cheap products although products on Aliexpress are cheaper. Also, there are fake products and sellers on both platforms. So you have to make your findings of the seller you want to buy from. 

Final thought on why Aliexpress has cheap products 

Now you know that products on Aliexpress are cheap because sellers source directly from manufacturers and that some of the products are of low quality, it is up to you to decide if it is worth it.

I also showed you how to shop on Aliexpress and some things to expect as a first-time buyer. If I am to suggest, make your findings of the seller of any product you want to buy. Also, read reviews and keep it in mind that cheap products most times aren’t durable.