Ali express reels

[Gregory]

Hi
I realise its not an old reel question but I am pondering this decision and would like some advice
I am tempted to by a daiwa exceler 2500 from Ali express $102 Aus (free delivery) compared to $150 in the tackle store here
although I like to support local business , $50 is a good saving
has anyone used Ali express for reels ?
thanks
Greg

[alantani]

i've purchased small ticket items, but never anything more than $20.  if you try it, please let us know how it works out. 

[boon]

Enormous chance it's a fake.

[Donnyboat]

If you use alliexpress pay with pay pal, you should be covered if anything goes wrong, good luck cheers Don.

[OhReely]

Do a Google search for the explanation of "gray market goods". I believe that's what you'll be buying.

Provided the seller is legitimate prices of goods can be too good to be true. It's all legal and legitimate in most cases but warranty coverage, if it matters to you, can be a real problem because the manufacturer's U.S. distributor has been bypassed. That could mean shipping an item back to it's  point of origin at your expense for warranty work.

I've purchased a couple of Penn NOS spinning reels from an Australian seller on Ebay and been happy with the transactions. Even though I paid shipping the savings were 30-40%.

[Bill B]

I have also bought reels from Australian sellers on Ebay and the savings were substantial. Never bought from Aliexpress and would be cautious. Bill

[Gobi King]

Buy a bunch off Aliexp and Alibaba,

Use a MAJOR CC that does not charge foreign transaction fee.
Print items page to pdf and keep copies of all receipts.

If item is NOT what they put in the ad, send msg via Ali messages, keep copy, within 30 to 90 days, file dispute with CC and they will refund.

When writing a message to seller, write a story like:

On march 1st, I ordered xyz for $20, received item on April 1st and found item to not as advertised.
Today is, April 10th, I reaching out for a refund....

[jurelometer]

Since the OP is quoting price in AUD, I am going to assume they are in Australia.

To expand on the previous posts, if you are buying genuine product from Ali Express, the most likely the version of the reel you are getting is for the Chinese domestic market.  If that is the case, probably no warranty support from the manufacturer if the same version is not sold in your country. It seems unlikely  that a manufacturer is going to go to the expense of counterfeiting an entire low to mid price reel from scratch. It is probably going to come from the factory that is cranking out the real thing.  But "new" can also include returned product, Quality Control rejects, etc. 

Replacement parts will mostly be the same, but it is possible that less expensive bearings, finishes, etc., are used to meet the domestic price point. Or the reel could be identical to what you get locally.

There is some investment of time to learn how to protect your purchase in AE.  It is not so consumer friendly. Depends on what your time is worth.   And free shipping can take weeks to months.  And you may or may not get what you ordered.  And you may need to pay customs fees.  And if you need to return the product, you pay for return shipping... to China.

I would guess that it  sort of works out most of the time, otherwise international purchasing via AE would not be popular.

Buy a bunch off Aliexp and Alibaba,

Use a MAJOR CC that does not charge foreign transaction fee.
Print items page to pdf and keep copies of all receipts.

If item is NOT what they put in the ad, send msg via Ali messages, keep copy, within 30 to 90 days, file dispute with CC and they will refund.

When writing a message to seller, write a story like:

On march 1st, I ordered xyz for $20, received item on April 1st and found item to not as advertised.
Today is, April 10th, I reaching out for a refund....

Good advice for USA buyers.  As of now, USA law requires a 60 day window for CC dispute.  Not sure about CC fees and consumer rights in other countries. 

A week or two from purchase to ship, and then the item is tagged in transit.  But your 60 day window is coming up.  Blech. Life is too short.  I guess if you buy frequently enough to get good at the system, it could be worth it.

If you give it a shot, let us know how it works out.

-J

[Gregory]

I got scared
I received a bodgy pay pal email this morning and thought bugger this
I'll buy from local bloke
The money I save is not worth a scam

[JasonGotaProblem]

Ok now I'm certain he's in AUS.

Better safe than sorry sometimes.

[Gregory]

Yep
Lake Macquarie   
I bit the bullet and have organised to lay buy a daiwa exceler and a silstar power tip from the local tackle store
A little bit more but with Christmas approaching it's a nice hint to family what to get

[jgp12000]

I did buy an Abu BMax3 from ali,it came in the original box in about 12 days.New customer deal was $15,I was pleased.I wouldnt spend big money on there though.I have bought a few other cheap things since.After going thru customs it seems they eventually get shipped from Fla?

[Midway Tommy]

I have a hard time buying anything direct from China given they're supplying the fentanyl and also unleashed that dang Virus on the US & the World. 👹

[jgp12000]

I am for made in USA when I can find it & no telling what else gets shipped here

[foakes]

Like all of us on here —-

There is no escaping buying foreign products —- from clothing to electronics, to tools, appliances, vehicles and vehicle components, and so much more.

China, Asia, Mexico, Canada, etc..

However, my criteria is to buy from well-established firms here in the US that stands behind their imported products with quick shipping, good inventory, no spam, and a solid return policy along with safe checkout.

It is easy to say we choose not to buy foreign products —- but the reality is much different, if we are honest.

It is when we choose to knowingly deal with firms from overseas that offer a low price —- but then the gremlins and snakes start to appear (slow shipping, wrong product, no good customer service system, poor/or no communication, possible hacked credit cards, or worse) —- that we find out the hard way.

Some of the best products are made overseas —- but we need to remember that 90% of our problems develop when we try to save a couple of bucks by taking a chance on getting by a little cheaper.  Greed.

I would prefer to buy everything made in the US.  However, that is not, and has not been possible for a couple of decades now.  Many products are out of reach financially, if produced domestically —- or in most cases not even available.  And in many instances —- the quality of the foreign products is superior, like it or not...

This would be true for me if I lived in the UK, Aus, Canada, Europe, or anywhere else.

But...the firms we choose to do business with, their support & methods, their safety protocols, and quick shipping & service —- are key.

Common sense doesn't need a college degree.

Best, Fred