Branded stuff from Ali Express

[wafter]

I see there's quite a lot of Shimano gear on here; unsurprisingly cheaper than UK suppliers (although the saving can vary and not look so hot once you've added VAT on top).

It seems that some products are rife with counterfeits (chains being a big one), however there are also a lot of other offerings that appear to be be genuine; as implied both from customer feedback and the liklihood that their complexity makes it not worth the effort to make knock-offs.

I'm interested to hear anyones' experiences with buying western big-brand kit (specifically Shimano) from this platform.

Ta

 

[fossyant]

Some of the stuff, like pedals, for example, looks genuine, and on the face of it looks a little cheaper. I still wouldn't buy branded from them as they cant be trusted.

 

[Gunk]

I see there's quite a lot of Shimano gear on here; unsurprisingly cheaper than UK suppliers (although the saving can vary and not look so hot once you've added VAT on top).

It seems that some products are rife with counterfeits (chains being a big one), however there are also a lot of other offerings that appear to be be genuine; as implied both from customer feedback and the liklihood that their complexity makes it not worth the effort to make knock-offs.

I'm interested to hear anyones' experiences with buying western big-brand kit (specifically Shimano) from this platform.

Ta

I personally think it’s not to be trusted, the Chinese have virtually zero morals when it comes to knock off stuff and do you really want the bother of having to send it back half across the world?

 

[Drago]

Counterfeit derailleur and the like are a thing.

 

[HMS_Dave]

I've heard some horror stories on returning items, including using the free returns. For this reason i choose to avoid them like i would a Hornets nest.

 

[wafter]

Cheers folks; I generally feel the same although have bought the odd item off there in the past out of necessity without issue.

Ironically GRX 810 FD's can be had cheaper from a trusted UK supplier than currently on AI, although the L04c brake pads for the CdF are significantly cheaper and always seemed overpriced over here..

 

[HMS_Dave]

Cheers folks; I generally feel the same although have bought the odd item off there in the past out of necessity without issue.

Ironically GRX 810 FD's can be had cheaper from a trusted UK supplier than currently on AI, although the L04c brake pads for the CdF are significantly cheaper and always seemed overpriced over here..

I agree, things are borderline rip off and probably are, but when you do need to return something, it's good to know that you are covered under several laws and are more likely to receive a decent service, which i consider as part of the purchase deal.

 

[PaulSB]

I can't imagine why people even bother looking at Ali Express. Cheap, knock off products probably produced by companies with no respect for their workforce.

The West thrives on this and it is so, so wrong. Keep away.

 

[super_davo]

There are a lot of fakes out there on AliExpress but it depends on the store. Check out the Chinertown forum for recommendations.

I haven't ordered from there personally, but the Anracee store is the one that the forumites swear by. Check prices thoroughly because by the time you factor in tax it can work out no cheaper than local retailers with discount (Merlin in the UK being my go to for comparison).

I will probably go there for the 165 mm crankset I want because they are like hens teeth everywhere else.

 

[Drago]

The only time I ever used Aliexprss is for an alloy oil filter adapter for my old Smart car, simply because it was the only place that had them for sale.

 

[wafter]

I agree, things are borderline rip off and probably are, but when you do need to return something, it's good to know that you are covered under several laws and are more likely to receive a decent service, which i consider as part of the purchase deal.

Aye; tbh so far I've only been comfortable with stuff cheap enough to write off if there was a problem - can't imagine returns are much fun.

I can't imagine why people even bother looking at Ali Express. Cheap, knock off products probably produced by companies with no respect for their workforce.

The West thrives on this and it is so, so wrong. Keep away.

The obvious one being that it's cheap. Morally I agree with your position entirely, however the platform isn't exclusively the problem as plenty of the same tat from the same sources is available on Amazon and ebay at three times the price courtesy of "enterprising" middle-men.

I usually avoid cheap Chinese tat, but if I "have" to buy it (for example the £20 mp3 player I bought a while ago since decent mid-range offerings have been killed off by mobiles) it might as well come direct from the same place.

I'd hope that (assumed genuine) items would be produced to the same standard as anything else from the brand - just cheaper as they've circumvented the usual supply chain and and perhaps are coming wholesale / unpackaged from OEM overstock perhaps..

There are a lot of fakes out there on AliExpress but it depends on the store. Check out the Chinertown forum for recommendations.

I haven't ordered from there personally, but the Anracee store is the one that the forumites swear by. Check prices thoroughly because by the time you factor in tax it can work out no cheaper than local retailers with discount (Merlin in the UK being my go to for comparison).

I will probably go there for the 165 mm crankset I want because they are like hens teeth everywhere else.

Cheers - I'll give them a look! It seems that the savings are certainly variable; especially now with a lot of UK retailers heavily discounting stock - which is obviously a safer bet. Will be interested to hear how you get on with the cranks

 

[wafter]

The only time I ever used Aliexprss is for an alloy oil filter adapter for my old Smart car, simply because it was the only place that had them for sale.

Yeah, to be fair to them it does seem that in some spheres they offer stuff that's simply not available from more established sources.

It was the only place I could source a tamperproof bit set to suit the fixings on my old Ofo; however I suppose that's unsurprising given the country of origin and very propriatory nature.