If you are planning to setup an e-commerce website and use the drop shipping route, then I would highly suggest you check out AliExpress.com.
AliExpress.com run by AliBaba, is a website established in 2010 for global buyers who are interested in purchasing wholesale products directly from the Chinese wholesalers that produce them. With over 100,000 Chinese wholesalers available to online buyers today, AliExpress.com offers more than 9.5 million products from more than 4,000 categories, like automotive, fashion, computers and electronics, weddings and events, and more.
Product Quality
This could be the main issue when you order from China wholesalers. The electronic products especially look inviting and they could be mistaken for the famous branded qualities. However, we know that China wholesalers do not carry branded items. They have their own non-branded items or copied items bearing different brand names. The same goes with the apparels. They do not carry the famous brands of clothing however, like their electronic products they vouch that they are made from high quality materials. AliExpress have made it a point to make a thorough verification of their suppliers to ensure high quality products.
Shipment Method
AliExpress.com provides free shipping worldwide. It joined hands with the China Post Mail to provide free shipping worldwide to accommodate smaller orders especially the electronic items. Just recently, AliExpress.com launched Fulfillment by AliExpress which is designed to accommodate medium orders so that they can enjoy the same benefit of free shipment of bulk orders. This will allow importers at least 30% savings on the shipping costs. AliExpress.com supports DHL, FedEx, TNT and EMS with the UPS as the most preferred means of shipping the goods. These methods deliver product from 2 days up to 7 days which is good enough considering that we are talking here about worldwide deliveries.
Payment Options
AliExpress.com offers safe and secure payment option through Escrow. In this method both the buyer and the seller are protected. Here, AliPay holds the escrow payment. The payment is released to the seller once the transaction is completed.
Some of these sellers also have Free Return policies, where if you are dissatisfied with the product, you can open a dispute claim within 15 days of delivers, and you can get free return shipping.
AliExpress.com also has a site wide policy which states that if you do not receive your product within 60 days, that you can receive a full refund of your product price
Prices Competitive?
Traditionally and you might have noticed, Chinese online wholesalers always provide discounted items on almost all their products. AliExpress.com is not an exception to the rule. It provides the biggest discounts especially on holiday seasons and anniversaries.
Conclusion
AliExpress is not a scam, but there are unethical sellers so you need to be careful and do some research before considering making a purchase. You may even consider testing the waters by making a small purchase before investing any significant amount of money in products.
