If coming from a western background, the risks of buying from AE is more pronounced compared to western platforms, doesn't matter what the product is.

The saying of, "buyer beware", "if it is too good to be true" and "you get what you pay for" ring very loudly with AE.

The real test of whether you should buy from AE (or any Chinese platform - Shein, Temu, Banggood) is whether you are:

1. ok with the risk of losing some money (it's not an if, it's a when),

2. persistent and willing to endure frustration (in cases of returns), e.g. able to be patient and communicate in ELI3, what you think should be obvious and that AE should do, don't apply,

3. learn and adapt to the Chinese way of trading, e.g. things that you take for granted or think you are entitled to in your own country do not apply, margins are so* slim that any promises that will mean they lose money (even a few dollars) are not worth the digital words they are written in but win-win situations are more likely to be successful, always take unboxing videos and photos which include a clear and full view of the tracking slip details on the packaging with the product, AND,

4. take time using the platform with small inexpensive purchases to learn to be smarter about what, who, when and how you buy. More "successful" purchases will build your AE profile, which anecdotally makes returns/refunds easier and faster. Chinese platforms tend to start with low trust of buyers (and hence so should you with the sellers).

If you are Yes to all of them, then you will find bargains from AE, but it will still make you work for it even when you get better at reducing risk from each purchase.

With pre-made clothing the risks are likely to be incorrect sizing, variation in print and fabric quality and rejects (e.g. one sleeve longer than the other). The risk of an unsuccessful return/refund is higher because it is not easy to show incorrect sizing via photos or videos OR that you had ordered the correct size for you.

The latter is more nuanced, e.g. you chose size M but it's too small for you. That method of sizing, in the first place, is completely subjective measurement, so the seller, especially a small-time seller, will likely put you through a few rounds of "prove that it's too small" and then eventually say, it's your mistake for choosing the wrong size. No refund. As you can't "prove" your case, AE will side with the seller. Even if there is a "policy" of free returns for change of mind, but if it costs the seller the equivalent of USD$20 to return to them (which is probably 20 times the cost of the clothes), they are going to try to avoid it, which means they will deny a refund. And even if you do get free return and you return it without original packaging, they'll say you return in not original state, so partial refund or even no refund.

There are too many nuances to go through, hence, you'll need to be YES to all of the above. Otherwise, stay with your existing options even if their prices are not so good. It will save you a lot of anxiety and frustration.

Probably not helpful but, i have purchased electronics and all i know is you HAVE to know who are you buying to and do very good research, because if something happens, dealing with a bad seller is hell and you could get scammed.

AliExpress is a marketplace, so every purchase is from another seller. Ships from AliExpress means it is coming from their warehouse. You are still buying from an independent seller who is using AliExpress logistics.

You'll be buying from independent Chinese sellers, so I think it's important to keep expectations reasonable. The FAQs for this subreddit have a lot of great information. Please read them.

I've successfully purchased hundreds of items over eight years, but it's mostly cheap stuff that would have been cheap stuff at twice the price if I'd bought it from Amazon.

My experience: refunds are pretty much non-existent and if it comes to that you'll have to resolve to do a chargeback. If there are any issues - document everything. Don't rely on the customer service - it's pretty bad and slow. Bought a lot of things from Aliex but be very careful if you are buying something expensive. I'll say for cheap stuff is generally fine but for the expensive I'll think twice - it's a gamble.

Check the sizing carefully. Sometimes it pays to buy a size bigger. Buy from "choice" sellers if possible.

Ive bought several items of clothing from both ali and temu.

No issues except on the cheapest of items if you buy a shirt with a print it is often an iron on which doesn't last forever.

Look at reviews. I love it when a buyer posts pics of them actually wearing the item as it helps a lot.

For clothing, make sure to check shipping costs. There's a few sellers that sell clothing slightly cheaper than others but charge as much as 10 times the amount in shipping.

With 'shipped by AliExpress' the seller is responsible for getting it there, and then they just grab it from the shelf, so sometimes you get a thing that is completely wrong, so it's not necessarily better or worse. It doesn't happen a lot, but that's also why you should make a video when you get a package showing all sides of it, the shipping label and opening and unpacking it on camera so you have proof.

On the other hand, shipped by AliExpress usually happens with standard shipping or better, so if you order small things it can be better to order multiple things around the same time so they'll get combined.

For clothing, most items have a size table with measurements. Its usually of the item instead of the body, so if you take something you already own and measure it, you can compare with the table the see what you should order. Conversions like from s to xl are often inaccurate or wrong, measurements are more accurate.