First step: find the right product at the right price
In order to make the explanations as clear as possible, we will take a concrete example. So let's go looking for a Redmi Note 8 Pro on AliExpress. We therefore start by entering the name of the smartphone in the search engine. We then come across this page:
Here is what we find on the search engine of AliExpress.
1. Sorting by note and free delivery or return.
2. Classification by number of orders, rating or relevance.
3. Sponsored ads often appear in relevance searches.
4. The first "real" result is here for the search for Redmi Note 8 Pro.
Some comments on this search engine to make your life easier:
- Use the mobile version or the mobile app of AliExpress as much as possible, where the interface is easier to use
- Once the search is launched, always sort by "Orders" or "number of orders", which will display the best sellers and the best selling products.
- Do not hesitate to activate the sorting by ratings higher than 4 stars in order to avoid bad sellers
On mobile, the AliExpress interface is clearer. It is also possible to refine your searches by number of orders or by note with the tab at the top of the page.
If you have followed these recommendations, then you should see a series of Redmi Note 8 Pro at very attractive prices. On our side, we spotted this Redmi Note 8 Pro, displayed in a price range going from 199 to 268 euros, at the seller Hong Kong Goldway.
Second step: dissect the product sheet
By clicking on the Redmi Note 8 Pro of the desired seller, we arrive on this page:
Here is a product sheet on AliExpress.
1. The price range is from the base price of the smartphone without options, to the highest price of the smartphone with accessories.
2. The Package defines the price of the smartphone. You can add additional accessories or not
3. The Color, which also varies the price, allows you to choose the color and the version of the smartphone.
4. The price and delivery time are displayed here
5. The money back guarantee ensures that we can be reimbursed in full in the event of a dispute with the buyer.
The product sheet must be read carefully. It allows you to consult the opinions on the product, but also the sellers, the delivery time, the delivery price and finally the description.
Here are the main elements to spot on the product sheets on mobile:
1. The price range, which depends on “Package” and “Color”.
2. The price and delivery time
3. The selection of "Package" and "Color", which will modify the final price.
4. Reviews. When they are available, by clicking on the French flag, it is possible to see the opinions of French buyers, a good way to know how the delivery is going.
The price range is the other particularity of AliExpress. In our case, it varies from 199 to 268 euros. Why such a price difference? To find out, just click (on mobile) on the “Package” and “Color” buttons. A list of options will then appear.
The packet :
The Package contains (or not) additional options offered directly by the seller. In our case, this is a screen protection film (+ 5 euros), a protective shell (+ 14 euros), a Xiaomi Mi Band 4 (+ 24 euros) or even a pair of headphones (+ 8 euros).
The colour :
The color does not bear its name very well since it covers both the color of the phone, but also the different versions in storage and RAM. By putting the Package on standard, the prices then vary from 199,33 euros (6 + 64 GB version, in black color) to 244 euros (in 6 + 128 GB version, in blue color).
Here's why AliExpress shows price brackets on smartphones. Depending on the “Package” (the accessories that are associated with the smartphone) and the “Color” (the color and the version of the phone), the price varies by several tens of euros.
To get the lowest price, you have to take the standard package with the basic version of the phone in black. Be sure to check the price of delivery - free in our case - as well as the delivery time.
Third step: payment and delivery
Once you've selected your product in the price range and colorway that you like, it's time to move on to payment and delivery.
The delivery :
If AliExpress offers such low prices, it is because the sellers who offer the products are often based in Asia, where the prices are much lower than in our country. As such, delivery may take some time, between one and four weeks or so. However, it is often free. On the other hand, it is possible to speed up the delivery time by selecting a faster chargeable delivery.
Once you've chosen your smartphone, it's time to order (left). It is possible to change the delivery method (center), but also to lower the price thanks to the AliExpress coupon system (right).
Discount coupons in the form of coupons:
Coupons are one of the reasons why buying products on AliExpress is so attractive. Coupons are coupons available to reduce the price of an item. They can be issued both by AliExpress - for new customers, for example - and by the sellers themselves to make temporary discounts on some of their products.
To use a coupon, nothing could be simpler, when paying, select a coupon from the list that appears in the "Discount" section or enter a discount code given by a seller. These coupons then allow the price to be reduced by a few euros up to - 50% for the most generous.
The payment:
AliExpress supports the vast majority of current payment methods, from classic bank cards to PayPal accounts. It is also possible to register your card to speed up your next purchases.
Note that not all sellers on AliExpress offer the same payment methods. In the case of our Redmi Note 8 Pro, it was not possible to go through PayPal. AliExpress, however, offers money-back guarantees in the event of a dispute with the seller.
Fourth step: Wait for your package
This is ultimately the easiest step: once you have ordered your product, all you have to do is wait for it to arrive. The follow-up of the delivery then depends on the seller. Either way, you will have a package tracking number that will let you know where it is at any given time. The best sellers automatically send emails to notify you of the progress of the package.
In the event of a problem (if the product purchased does not correspond to the description or if it has not arrived on the expected date), AliExpress then undertakes to guarantee you a refund of the item in question, if the seller or the product has the words "Money back guaranteed".
If the product does not arrive or is not the one ordered, the reimbursement guaranteed allows you to have your product reimbursed in less than 15 days.
On AliExpress, disputes take place in three stages:
- First, you must contact the seller of the product to let him know that there is a problem with the product or the delivery of the product. The seller will then make a proposal to the buyer.
- If the buyer does not accept the seller's proposal, then mediation must be opened with AliExpress, maximum 15 days after receiving the product. The merchant site often favors the buyer when there is a dispute.
- Finally, a refund is made within 15 days of the opening of the dispute.
Step five: find the best deals in AliExpress
If you have followed all the previous steps, the AliExpress interface has no secrets for you. AliExpress is full of good deals when you want to buy a smartphone or a connected accessory. Here are some products at great prices. Here are some practical exercises to train you to master the interface.
The OnePlus 7T at 441 euros:
AliExpress offers one of the lowest prices seen for the OnePlus 7T. At less than 450 euros, you have a high-end smartphone typical of 2021: a 90 Hz screen, a muscular technical sheet (Snapdragon 855+, 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage space) and an impeccable interface.
Now that you know how to master the interface, you can easily obtain this price of 440 euros. All you have to do is choose the Standard “Bundle” and the blue “color”, in the 8 + 128 GB version.
The OnePlus 7T at 440 euros on AliExpressThe Huawei P30 Pro (8 + 256 GB) at 589 euros:
The Huawei P30 Pro is undoubtedly the best camera phone around. It is also one of the last Huawei smartphones to benefit from Google applications and services. Add to that a premium design, a spec sheet that can last three or four years and a nice 4200mAh battery and you've got a great deal.
The Huawei P30 Pro, in its global version, is available at a price of 589,49 euros on AliExpress by selecting the correct "Package" and "Color". Delivery is free.
The Huawei P30 Pro (8 + 256 GB) at 589 euros on AliExpressThe Realme 5i at 112 euros
The Realme 5i is a variation of the excellent Realme 5 with more internal memory (64 GB here) and a little more RAM memory (4 GB, against 3 GB on the Realme 5). But for the rest, it is the same phone with a neat design, a large battery (5000 mAh) and especially an interface in French.
The Realme 5i is currently available on AliExpress at a price of 121 euros with free shipping. A price that can be reduced by a little over 9 euros by entering the code REALME10 when paying.
The Realme 5i at 112 euros on AliExpress REALME20The Xiaomi Redmi Airdots at 18,71 euros
Xiaomi's wireless headphones and their charging box can be found for less than 20 euros on AliExpress. Be careful, however, to choose the “Global” version. Note that for a few euros more, you can choose the color of the charging case.
👆 How to log in on AliExpress?
There are several ways to log into AliExpress. It is also possible to use a classic email with a password, but AliExpress also offers to quickly connect to its site using your Google, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram credentials.
If you have trouble logging in when you want to access customer service or chat, go back to the AliExpress home page and log in, before returning to the chat page. This should fix the problem.
👅 How to change the language of AliExpress? And put the price in euros?
By default, AliExpress is in French when you connect to the French site (with a url such as fr.aliexpress.com). If during a search on a search engine you arrive on a version in another language, you must then go to the bar located at the top of the site (what is called the header) then click on l flag icon. You can then change the language of the site, but also the currency (euros, dollars, etc.) in which you pay for your purchases.
🤔 Why two different prices for the same product on AliExpress?
This is one of the peculiarities of AliExpress, sellers often offer additional options in addition to the basic product. The lowest price then corresponds to the basic product with the basic options, while the highest price corresponds to the product with all the possible options and the most expensive accessory.
⌚ What is the delivery time on AliExpress?
Delivery time varies depending on the seller. Some sellers ship their products from Asia, which can take several weeks to receive their item. Others have warehouses in Europe, which allows for shorter delivery times of just a few days. But generally, delivery on AliExpress is quite slow, around 15-45 days. This is the counterpart of lower prices than on other ecommerce sites.
💸 Can I pay in installments on AliExpress? And go through PayPal?
No, it is not possible to pay in several installments on AliExpress. The site does not allow it yet.
AliExpress however offers many payment methods: credit card, WebMoney, but also PayPal. Be careful, however, payment via PayPal depends on the goodwill of the seller and not all accept it. To verify that the seller accepts it, you must place an order for the desired product and check whether it is possible to pay via PayPal when the order is finalized.
