For those of you who like to use aliexpress... - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ballsystemlord
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2024, 12:59:39 pm
content: Hey,I listen to the YT-er MLID. He's gotten a sponsorship from aliexpress, and with it, some coupon codes.https://youtu.be/XLX0FmeFVh8"Until 8/25 use MOORE25 for $100+, MOORE15 for $60+, and MOORE9 for $30+ orders!" They give you 25% off, 25% off and 30% off, respectively, which is better than the normal coupons aliexpress puts out for their sale days.Please be aware that they cannot be combined with the current aliexpress back-to-school coupons.You're welcome!EDIT: To be clear, I say 25% off $100 of items. If you buy $200 of items, it would be 12.5% off. Etc. Likewise with the other coupon codes.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2024, 01:13:05 pm
content: different from their 82 cents or under 2$ BIG specials loll

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2024, 02:06:39 pm
content: I just tried MOORE25 on $300+ item, and it caped the discount at $25. On a $130 item, it did apply full 25%. So, you are not getting full 25%, you are getting more like $25-$50 at most. Still better than nothing, I guess.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2024, 03:22:08 pm
content: Sadly not applicable to the UK.Not that I need more stuff from Aliexpress...

author: langwadt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2024, 03:42:33 pm
content: how much of aliexpress is just scams? try a search for electric bikes and you get pages of obvious scams with bikes selling from EU/US warehouse for less than half what the battery alone would cost with free shipping, if they have any reviews it is people that got a fake tracking number and nothing else

author: nvmR
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2024, 04:04:21 pm
content: not too much scamming going on, depending how deep you go. but prices tend to go up when coupons exist.Also, no good price tracking like on amazon (keepa, camelcamelcamel).

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2024, 04:19:58 pm
content: Aliexpress Amazon and many others since covid have inflated their prices a lot, even with some cheap rebates, they are still highDigikey, Electrosonic, Mouser .... too

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2024, 04:30:16 pm
content: QuoteBarely anything that I get. Of course, I am circumspect and probably don't get stuff that might be easily dodgy. Some recent purchases have been real quality, particularly given the shipped price.QuoteOne of the things I wouldn't get from Aliexpress. Or Ebay. Similarly, anything edible is out, and anything mains-powered would be examined internally before trusting.QuoteI never use reviews on Aliexpress except to see photos of the item (giving views that may not be on the product page). The only exception is if they are overwhelmingly bad, because you aren't shown bad reviews willingly, so those things must bereallybad!

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2024, 04:33:56 pm
content: Quote from: coromonadalix on August 23, 2024, 04:19:58 pmAliexpress prices are higher for us because they now have to add 20% VAT on checkout, but there are still absolute bargains to be had.One of the reasons, I am sure, is because name brands now have an official presence on Aliexpress, so you're unlikely to get factory side door clones of those now.

author: pcprogrammer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2024, 06:55:05 pm
content: Quote from: langwadt on August 23, 2024, 03:42:33 pmThere will be fake stuff, but you get your money back in most cases and often can keep the items. Depends on the item price and your reputation. A while back I had to return 6 Li-ion cells because I disputed their being genuine Lititokala batteries. The return shipping was free and I got my 18 euros back as soon as I dropped of the package at the DPD drop of point.Not much later I disputed two other 18650 cells and those I did not have to return. Got my 4.55 euro back directly because of having a good reputation, at least according to the dispute result.With a lot of other stuff I have had no issues, apart from an occasional fake or wrong part. It very much depends on what you are looking for and make sure to test items as soon as they arrive.

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2024, 07:54:27 pm
content: I usually don't have any trouble with aliexpress, but I'm annoyed with them right now. I bought a DC electronic load on July 18th, and the ad says "Refund if no delivery in 30 days."Well, guess what? It's been over 30 days, and AE has been a joke about taking care of this. The first thing they did was to add a week to the expected delivery date. Then I opened a dispute, and they said it would be handled within 48 to 72 hours. It wasn't.So I tried chatting with a rep a 2nd time, and they assured me they'd get it taken care of that day. They didn't. They told me they were the best customer service rep. They weren't.Anyway, I had to open a dispute with PayPal now, and hopefully that will get it taken care of. 🙄

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2024, 08:27:39 pm
content: Er, that says delivery Sep 01 - 04. So it could mean 30 days after that, but either way the delivery date has come yet (unless this is from last year).

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2024, 08:40:26 pm
content: once it took 91 days to receive an item, for sure i was refunded, a day later it showed in my mail box lollit was an 12$ item ....

author: ballsystemlord
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2024, 08:41:35 pm
content: Quote from: KungFuJosh on August 23, 2024, 07:54:27 pmAliexpress is a bit... different with how the specify things. I always thought it was because they're a Chinese site, but maybe I'm wrong.When they say, "Refund if no delivery in 30 days." they mean 30 days after the maximum delivery date.Likewise with their free return policy. E.G. "Free returns within 90 days". You have to file a return for the item within 15 days of confirming receipt of the item to get the free return shipping. The "90 days" part means that the item has 90 days to arrive, you to confirm receipt, and 15 days for you to test it.Or at least that's the way it seems to work for me.

author: ballsystemlord
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2024, 08:43:54 pm
content: Quote from: ataradov on August 23, 2024, 02:06:39 pmUmm, I was saying $25 off $100 of items is 25%, not 25% off any purchase amount. Likewise, $15 off $60 worth of items is 25%, not 25% off any purchase amount.I'll edit my initial post to clarify.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2024, 10:06:30 pm
content: Quote from: KungFuJosh on August 23, 2024, 07:54:27 pmNot much point in contacting the seller if they've already shipped the item within china. I think for Choice stuff, logistics outside of china is all handled by aliexpress.Other people were able to get the refund:https://www.reddit.com/r/Aliexpress/comments/1c9z7ji/refund_if_not_delivery_in_30_days_it_works/Quote from: PlainName on August 23, 2024, 08:27:39 pmThe item was purchased July 18. Then add a day or two for shipping, so Aug 20 or 21 would be 30 days.The screenshot is from today, not from when it was purchased.

author: langwadt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2024, 10:06:47 pm
content: Quote from: ballsystemlord on August 23, 2024, 08:41:35 pmafaict you can only file a dispute in the period from 11 days after it was sent until 15 days after promised delivery date.I guess that is what the scams are about, promise delivery in a couple of days and immediately send fake tracking info, so the shop get the money and the buyer have a very short window to file a dispute which is expired before the buyer realizes the seller has disappeared or is making excuses to stall them

author: ballsystemlord
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2024, 02:03:05 am
content: Quote from: langwadt on August 23, 2024, 10:06:47 pmI cannot speak to your experiences, but mine have always always always been: It doesn't arrive. The system tries to auto-confirm receipt. I file a dispute (within a day or two). I have no problem getting a refund.My worst experience in this regard was actually with ebay. Somehow USPS exposes the tracking info online. Scammers get their hands on this stuff and give tracking info for a package that is being delivered near you.After weeks of back and forth, I got a set of USPS documents signed by the postmaster (which was later said to be illegal to get), and sent photos of them to ebay. Ebay went on to reveal that they had no idea that scamming could work that way. They refunded me and changed their entire internal dispute process as a result.I took one for the team in terms of time, energy, and gas.

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2024, 08:39:10 pm
content: Quote from: PlainName on August 23, 2024, 08:27:39 pmThat's not my order, that was a screenshot of the ad taken later. My delivery date was supposed to be August 14th.

author: ballsystemlord
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2024, 09:51:52 pm
content: OTOH: Recently I've had trouble returning things because UPS and Fedex loose my packages. I lost $40 with Fedex. My return was never found. It wasn't even ever marked as picked up although I dropped it off.I just got off the phone with UPS."I'm sorry sir," she said, "the package is not in our possession so you have to contact the person you dropped it off with.""As I said twice so far," I reply, "I dropped it off in a UPS box. I cannot talk to a metal box. It doesn't say anything back. We just sort of stand there and stare at each other. ""I understand sir," she replies...I wonder about where the world is going sometimes.

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2024, 10:16:47 pm
content: That's why I only ever drop off packages where I can get a receipt. Incompetence is too common with shipping companies.

author: pcprogrammer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2024, 05:51:24 am
content: Quote from: KungFuJosh on August 24, 2024, 10:16:47 pmVery true. And it takes persistence to get through to them. I once had an order of Banggood that was delivered to somewhere else in the village. It took a lot of back and forth with Banggood and the postal service to get the truth above the table. The package was never found, but in the end I did get my money back.Luckily, county side France moved on to a street name and number system, since which the delivery of packages has not gone wrong again, yet.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 26, 2024, 02:03:25 am
content: Quote from: KungFuJosh on August 24, 2024, 10:16:47 pmThat is my guiding principle with any logistic exercise with any carrier - even with our Australia Post.It's quite comforting to have that evidence at hand, especially when I make note of dimensions, weight and description of the package. I've not done photographs except on a couple of occasions for some overseas destinations. In the last 20 years, I've had to deal with maybe half a dozen cases ... and I've yet to lose out.

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2024, 02:51:04 am
content: Well, at least their canned responses are generic. I really liked the "you really have a point" one, it totally felt sincere.

author: 5U4GB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2024, 11:37:19 am
content: Quote from: langwadt on August 23, 2024, 03:42:33 pmIt depends on who you buy from, if you're getting it from something like "$brandname Official Store" then it's likely legit, if it's Store1376326482 at half the price of the (likely) official store then who knows what you'll get.

author: pcprogrammer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2024, 12:35:22 pm
content: Quote from: 5U4GB on August 26, 2024, 11:37:19 amNot always the case, but it can be an indicator. Thisshopposes as somewhat official, but I doubt it to be true. I bought thesebatteriesand assessed them to be fakes. The one review there is mine.

author: ballsystemlord
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2024, 12:26:08 am
content: Quote from: KungFuJosh on August 26, 2024, 02:51:04 amA: I know how you feel about this issue and I totally agree with you.B: I assure you that I understand your concerns and support you on this issue.Trying to decide which canned response to give you. How do these tech support people do it?But really, it's sad how many of these companies read from a script. It makes it both easy and hard for the tech support and is meaningless to the customer in as much as such messages are insincere.

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2024, 02:17:06 am
content: The funny part is you know they're just clicking responses from a few choices. They don't even need to type out the bullshit.

author: 5U4GB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2024, 06:57:02 am
content: Quote from: pcprogrammer on August 26, 2024, 12:35:22 pmAh, good point, buying from "$widely-faked-battery-brand Store" could be a bit of a gamble. I was thinking more vendors of electronic devices who often link to their stores from their web site or vice versa, or for which there's only one "Official Store" branded store which is likely the real deal. ComWinTop and CDEbyte are examples of this.Drifting off topic, I'd never buy 18650s off a random Aliexpress store unless info on it came from somewhere like candlepowerforums or budgetlightforums, those guys spend a lot of time sorting the wheat from the chaff and will post links to legit stores and sellers. Alternatively, if possible find a local seller who posts legit capacities and charge/discharge curves where you know you're getting the real deal.

author: pcprogrammer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2024, 07:20:27 am
content: Quote from: 5U4GB on August 28, 2024, 06:57:02 amAnd that is what I did after searching on this forum.I found this store in the Netherlands:https://www.nkon.nl/fr/rechargeable.htmlBought 26 of the VTC4 for the same price per cell, including shipping, as the ones on Aliexpress. Expect them within a couple of days and have to see if they are good. According to the shop sales person they are genuine.

author: 5U4GB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2024, 12:22:41 pm
content: Oh, and for some of the other neat things you can get on Aliexpress, who could be without one ofthese useful devices? The "Related Items" section lists many more vendors selling the same thing.There are comments for some of the other items from people complaining that they couldn't buy these from anywhere other than China for some reason.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2024, 02:10:33 pm
content: QuoteNo idea - can't see what it is. Not available in my location, apparently, whatever it is.

author: pcprogrammer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2024, 03:39:27 pm
content: Quote from: PlainName on August 28, 2024, 02:10:33 pmI can see it briefly before a 404 message comes up. It looks like a cable with two male connectors at each end. If not mistaken American power plugs.

author: ballsystemlord
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2024, 08:50:34 pm
content: Quote from: pcprogrammer on August 28, 2024, 03:39:27 pmThat's exactly what it is. The original comment is quite funny.

author: 5U4GB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2024, 11:53:45 am
content: Ah, didn't realise it wouldn't be visible from some countries. It's a power cord with plugs on both ends, more commonly known as a suicide cord.

author: ralphrmartin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2024, 07:39:05 pm
content: One of our CS research students seriously burnt himself with a cable like this, that he made himself. Our health and safety bods started parading it as an example of why students (and staff) should always get a qualified electrician to do any electrical work, until they found out that the student did have such a qualification from a previous employment.

author: ballsystemlord
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2024, 12:44:43 am
content: Quote from: ralphrmartin on August 29, 2024, 07:39:05 pmMy father, who works in a different field, sometimes has to walk the electricians through the job they're doing for him. It's scary how little these guys know sometimes.

author: langwadt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2024, 10:43:18 am
content: Quote from: ballsystemlord on August 30, 2024, 12:44:43 amthat someone passed a test doesn't necessarily mean they understood any of it

author: nvmR
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2024, 07:59:06 am
content: Well to be honest it can be used safely, just people don't know how.It is used to connect a generator to the power grid of your home, without a transfer switch. Not great judgement, but a working solution sometimes.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2024, 08:10:36 am
content: Unless you pull the master breaker on your home it's surely asking for a big bang when power comes back, so a transfer switch should be the only way to connect up a generator. Further, with the suicide cable, you don't know which end is live - could be either and will vary.

author: nigelwright7557
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2024, 11:13:20 am
content: Quote from: langwadt on August 23, 2024, 03:42:33 pmI got caught out with Ali Express when my account got hacked.It seems Ali Express store your card CVV number so its not required at checkout !I got £300 worth of gear bought on my card.Luckily I spotted it quickly and notified my bank and got it refunded.

author: langwadt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2024, 08:28:59 pm
content: Quote from: PlainName on August 31, 2024, 08:10:36 amor electrocute the guy working on fixing the power lines

author: rhodges
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2024, 11:02:13 pm
content: I think the generator would quit when you try to make it feed your neighborhood.

author: langwadt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2024, 11:27:46 pm
content: Quote from: rhodges on August 31, 2024, 11:02:13 pmsure, unless you are the only one on that line or your neighbors have disconnected

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2024, 11:28:58 pm
content: Quote from: rhodges on August 31, 2024, 11:02:13 pmThere would be contention between supplies since they would be out of phase. The generator would, of course, lose but it wouldn't do so quietly or carefully.

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2024, 12:04:28 am
content: QuoteThere is no way a widow maker can be safe, ever.Even if you disconnect the incoming supply whats to stop someone unplugging it and copping the full generator output

author: ballsystemlord
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2024, 02:51:25 am
content: Quote from: nigelwright7557 on August 31, 2024, 11:13:20 amI'm glad you didn't loose money on that.If it makes a difference to you, the only site which asks each time for my CVV is newegg.com . It's rare for websites to ask for it.

author: 5U4GB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2024, 11:32:06 am
content: Quote from: nigelwright7557 on August 31, 2024, 11:13:20 amUnless you're buying stuff there every day and need the convenience, never store your credit card details with vendors where PCI-DSS is more a guideline than a requirement and/or where authorisation to use it is nothing more than username+password at initial sign-on. The only online sites I've given my CC details to are eBay (via PayPal) and Amazon, both protected with 2FA.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2024, 02:49:17 pm
content: A reasonable wheeze is to use a card with limited funds. Many nowadays let you have either a ring-fenced sub-account where you can only spend what you put in, and some even let you create a new card just for the purpose of a single purchase. Doesn't matter if it's hacked - if you only put in £20 for a £19 sale, the worst they can do is take the last £1.