Any feedback/tips for using Ali Express, etc.?

[pozmans]

So I recently decided that going down the Ali Express route would be a good idea and went slightly gung ho and purchased a dozen or so items. As many of you know shipping is free on almost all the products but the catch is that it'll take up to 50 days to arrive and in many instances, when the seller uses China Post, you can't track the parcel after it leaves China.

Just wondering what your experiences are with this in terms of shipping and the actual success rate of the goods reaching you eventually?

Short of paying $30 courier on a $1.50 item, is there any other way to make sure you'll get your product? P.S. Is there a combine shipping option?

 

[sajunky]

For $1.50 item with free shipment I would definitely chose China standard post. Problem is with SAPO. I previously ordered something from eBay and a parcel was lost. Few months ago I ordered three packages from Ali Express for an amount between 5 and 10 US$ each with shipment to Europe (not SA) and all packets arived between 3 weeks and four weeks.

 

[ashfaak]

There's no combine shipping option because it's kinda like Bidorbuy where the product comes straight from the seller, not aliexpress. As sajunky said, the shipping problems are with SAPO.