AliExpress

Let’s talk about AliExpress, also known as the business killer disguised as a shortcut. If you’ve never heard of it, congratulations, you’ve avoided a world of pain. If you have heard of it and you’re thinking about using it, take a deep breath and back away slowly. And if you’re already knee-deep in AliExpress orders, I’m sorry, you’re probably already in damage control mode.

Here’s the deal: every self-proclaimed eCommerce “guru” loves to pitch AliExpress as an easy, foolproof way to start a dropshipping business. They’ll tell you that you don’t need inventory, that you can source cheap products from China with a few clicks, and that your store will basically run itself. Sounds amazing, right? Well, so does a timeshare presentation, until you realize you’re locked into a lifetime of regret.

The Reality of AliExpress Suppliers

AliExpress is the opposite of a reliable business tool. It’s a total gamble, and unless you enjoy rolling the dice with your money, your reputation, and your sanity, it’s best to stay far, far away. Let’s break down why this platform is a disaster for sellers who fall for the hype.

First off, the suppliers on AliExpress are like a box of mystery chocolates—except instead of chocolates, you get shipping delays, missing packages, and products that look like they were put together by a sleep-deprived intern with a glue gun.

A huge number of these suppliers aren’t real manufacturers; they’re middlemen or flat-out scammers who don’t care if you ever get your order. And when things inevitably go wrong? Good luck getting them to respond. Their customer service is basically an email abyss.

Terrible Product Quality and Shipping Times

And let’s talk about quality. If you’re lucky, the product you ordered might resemble the one in the listing. If you’re not lucky, your customers will receive something that looks like it fell off a truck and got run over three times. And that’s assuming they even get their order, because AliExpress shipping makes the Pony Express look high-tech.

Three to six weeks for delivery? In 2024? People expect their stuff in two days, not two months. They’ll be furious, you’ll be drowning in refund requests, and your store’s reputation will tank faster than a cryptocurrency scam.

No Returns, No Refunds, and No Support

Now, let’s talk returns. Oh wait, there aren’t any. Most AliExpress suppliers either don’t accept returns at all or make the process so miserable that you’d rather just eat the loss. So when a customer complains, guess what? You’re the one on the hook.

You either refund them out of pocket or risk getting a string of nasty reviews that make your store look like a scam. And once those bad reviews start piling up, game over. Your credibility is toast.

Why People Still Fall for It

So why do people still fall for this? Simple. Because it’s marketed as easy. And that’s the magic word that gurus love to throw around. They show you fancy automation tools that connect your store directly to AliExpress, making it look like a seamless business model.

What they don’t show you is the nightmare of dealing with unhappy customers, suppliers who ghost you, and a business model that is basically a ticking time bomb. And let’s be honest, the only people making real money from this are the ones selling you the “secrets” to it. They don’t care if you succeed. They just need you to buy in so they can cash out.

The Smarter Way to Build a Business

Here’s the bottom line: AliExpress is not a business model. It’s a business liability. If you’re serious about building something sustainable, forget the shortcuts.

Find real suppliers. Work with vendors who have actual quality control. And most importantly, stop looking for the “easy” way, because in eCommerce, easy means terrible.

You want to build a business that lasts? Then do it right. The long way might take more effort, but trust me, it’s a hell of a lot better than spending your days putting out fires and begging suppliers to answer your emails.

Here are some actions you can take right away.

Now that we’ve obliterated the idea of AliExpress as a legit business tool, let’s talk about what you should actually do to avoid becoming another dropshipping horror story. No fluff, no corporate nonsense; just five solid action steps that will save you from headaches, angry customers, and refund-induced nightmares.

1. If you insist on buying bulk instead of using drop shipping (which is far better) order the product yourself before you try to sell it.

You wouldn’t sell a used car without test-driving it first, right? So why would you list some random AliExpress gadget on your site without ever seeing it in person? If you’re about to build a business around a product, buy it, hold it in your hands, and see if it’s actually decent. Check how long shipping takes. Open the package and ask yourself, “Would I be happy if I paid for this?” If the answer is no, do not make this your problem by selling it to someone else.

2. Ditch the “race to the bottom” pricing strategy.

Look, I get it. You see a $2 watch on AliExpress and think, “I’ll sell it for $20 and make bank.” The problem? There are 5,000 other sellers doing the same thing, and half of them are willing to price it at $4 just to undercut you. Competing on price alone is a death trap. Instead of selling dirt-cheap junk, find a product that actually has value and price it based on quality, not on who’s willing to make the least amount of profit before quitting in frustration.

3. Stop relying on suppliers who treat your business like a side hustle.

If you email a supplier and they take three days to respond with a half-baked answer, that’s a giant red flag. If they don’t have a real return policy, that’s another one. If you’re getting sketchy vibes from the start, run. You need to work with people who take their business seriously, because if they don’t care, neither will your customers. Find suppliers who have real communication, real guarantees, and a real track record of not ghosting people when things go south.

4. Set realistic shipping expectations—and actually tell your customers the truth.

Nothing pisses off customers faster than thinking their order is arriving next week when, in reality, it’s still chilling in a Chinese warehouse waiting for someone to slap a shipping label on it. If you’re sourcing from overseas and shipping is going to take three weeks, say it upfront. If you’re working with a supplier that can ship faster, highlight that as a selling point. Either way, don’t lie and don’t set yourself up for angry emails from customers wondering why their package still isn’t here.

5. Build a brand, not just another forgettable online store.

If your entire business is built on random AliExpress products that anyone can sell, congratulations, you’ve built a store that no one will remember. Instead, focus on building a real brand—something that has a unique vibe, great customer experience, and a reason for people to come back.

Use better packaging. Create better product descriptions. Actually care about the experience of shopping with you instead of just slapping a product listing online and praying for sales. People remember brands. They forget cheap dropshipping stores.

That’s it. Five real, no-BS steps to keep you out of the AliExpress trap and actually build something worth owning. Do them, and you won’t be one of those sellers posting in forums asking why their store isn’t making money. Ignore them, and, well… enjoy the refund requests.