Cheers @Zaf, I’m cool with the wait. Bought a few bits from China on eBay before and have become good at forgetting about it so that it’s a pleasant surprise when it does show up. “A package! For me? Whatever could it be!”Yeah, used them before. credit card is fine.
Just be aware, all that stuff has to come out of China, so pick up a subscription to Delayed Gratification while you're at it.
I was wondering about that because I've heard rumours that Alibarber which is the same as Aliexpress was forced to sell to new owners by the CCP. I had an order lost ages ago and was reimbursed but I keep on getting a strange voice mail from DHL in Chinese.Not sure i'd advise buying via Aliexpress right at the moment, i'm still waiting on a (probably dodgy tbh) seatpost I bought two months ago that has been delayed, and have also had another seller contact me through Whatsapp re another order to ask me to cancel it as "they cannot ship to Australia at this time due to current circumstances".
People should get themselves a pre paid visa card or an account with a debit visa not linked to anything else - then you can pay away and the most they get is a dead card.Who here has used aliexpress before? Any recommendations on best way to pay, considering they don't seem to accept paypal? I'm a bit reluctant to provide credit card details.
I have a Bankwest MC with zero fees on OS purchases and currency conversion, so i prefer to use it. I get push messages with every transaction so if something sinister happens I’ll know pretty quick. I can also put a hold on the card through the phone app when I’m not using it too.People should get themselves a pre paid visa card or an account with a debit visa not linked to anything else - then you can pay away and the most they get is a dead card.
A matchmaker clamp I bought for under $5 with free shipping took about 7 weeks to make it. For little generic bits that you aren't sweating on then it is good option.Not sure i'd advise buying via Aliexpress right at the moment, i'm still waiting on a (probably dodgy tbh) seatpost I bought two months ago that has been delayed, and have also had another seller contact me through Whatsapp re another order to ask me to cancel it as "they cannot ship to Australia at this time due to current circumstances".
I've used them shitloads of times prior to the covid since 2014 with very little problems. Make sure you claim before the 'buyer protection' runs out if it doesn't turn up, no matter how much the vendor begs you to cancel the claim don't do it because once the buyer protection runs out aliexpress will just say bad luck and no refund offered. Always check the maximum delivery times on the orders as they vary from dealer to dealer.I guess I'll see what happens to my $19 then - if worst case is a refund for now then no big deal.
Thanks for the tip - I’ll set myself a reminder for the maximum delivery time. My experiences buying bits and pieces from China via eBay have always been problem free - there is usually little communication with the seller and it takes ages to arrive but always turns up eventually. Guessing aliexpress is similar.I've used them shitloads of times prior to the covid since 2014 with very little problems. Make sure you claim before the 'buyer protection' runs out if it doesn't turn up, no matter how much the vendor begs you to cancel the claim don't do it because once the buyer protection runs out aliexpress will just say bad luck and no refund offered. Always check the maximum delivery times on the orders as they vary from dealer to dealer.
From the thread on mtbr & my own personal experience they can be hit & miss if they have bushing play out of the box or it quickly develops (possible batch issue)
It's not often but the seller can give a fake tracking number or mark the order as sent, then sends the order a few weeks down the track.Thanks for the tip - I’ll set myself a reminder for the maximum delivery time. My experiences buying bits and pieces from China via eBay have always been problem free - there is usually little communication with the seller and it takes ages to arrive but always turns up eventually. Guessing aliexpress is similar.
Edit: Just noticed this in the aliexpress web portal:
View attachment 363507
Looks like they're doing their best to deal with the curent logistics issues and I'll automatically be refunded if the seller can't find a way to ship within 8 days.
Nice Bigwig.https://www.facebook.com/commerce/listing/903135106871591/?media_id=0&ref=share_attachment
Ooh I'm trying hard not to buy this.
This is neither the time, nor the place...now desperately looking for reasons not to purchase.