Online shopping can be hit or miss when it comes to finding great deals. But on AliExpress, an e-commerce platform based in China that connects buyers to sellers worldwide, there are tons of bargains to be found if you know where to look. Follow these 10 tips to become a savvy AliExpress shopper and save big on your next order.
1. Browse the Daily Deals Section
One easy way to find discounts on AliExpress is to check out the Daily Deals section. This part of the site highlights select items that are deeply discounted for 24 hours. The selection changes day to day, so it helps to make this a regular stop on your AliExpress browsing sessions. You can find flash sales on everything from electronics and clothing to toys and home goods. Create a bookmark for the Daily Deals page to check it frequently.
2. Search for Coupons Before Checkout
Before completing any order, do a quick search for AliExpress coupons that you can apply at checkout. You can often find them through sites like Honey or RetailMeNot. There are also browser extensions like AliExpress Coupons that automatically test discount codes and apply them to your order if valid. Coupons typically offer storewide discounts like $3 off $30, 10% off electronics, etc. Even a few dollars in savings can add up on large orders.
3. Download the AliExpress Mobile App
When you shop on the AliExpress mobile app, you gain access to mobile-exclusive deals and coupons. The app also sends push notifications about flash sales and other promotions. Creating an account and opting in to promotional emails will further help you stay on top of short-lived discounts. Consider enabling app notifications so you never miss out on coupon codes and time-sensitive offers.
4. Pay Attention to Seasonal Sales
Like most retailers, AliExpress runs major sales around big shopping holidays and events. Keep an eye out for summer sales, back to school blowouts, Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals, and year-end clearance events. Following AliExpress on social media can provide advance notice about upcoming seasonal savings opportunities. The best discounts usually run for a week or more, giving you plenty of time to browse and take advantage of low prices.
5. Join the AliExpress Select Program
This free-to-join loyalty program provides members with free shipping coupons, product discounts, and flash sale invites. The more active you are on AliExpress, the more perks you’ll unlock. Link your account to email and social media to rise through the membership tiers faster. The highest Gold tier gets you the fattest discounts. Becoming an AliExpress Select member is an easy way to save on every order.
6. Shop the Brand Sales and Stores
Retailers are not the only ones who host sales - brands do too! Keep an eye out for promotions being run by official brand flagships on AliExpress. For example, Xiaomi, Roborock, and Huawei will discount select smart home gadgets and electronics. You can save 20-50% or more this way. Checking out the deals available across different brand stores is a smart habit.
7. Take Advantage of AliExpress Coupon Codes
In addition to site-wide coupons, sellers on AliExpress also hand out coupon codes that apply to items in their store. These typically take 10-20% off and appear on the product page or on the seller's homepage banner. You can also check a seller's feedback comments to see if anyone mentions receiving a coupon code that still works. Combining an AliExpress coupon with a seller promo code results in even bigger savings.
8. Shop During the Anniversary Sale
AliExpress celebrates its founding anniversary in April with a massive sitewide sale spanning all categories. You'll find discounts up to 70% off with free shipping on top brands and small shops alike. Items are deeply discounted for the duration of the sale, which tends to last 7-10 days. It's the best time of year to stock up and save huge. Create a wishlist ahead of time so you're ready to sweep up deals when the anniversary sale hits.
9. Use the Wishlists Feature
When you find a product you want to purchase later, use the wishlist feature to save it instead of adding it to your cart right away. Your wishlists are handy for snagging time-limited discounts. For example, create a wishlist specifically for the anniversary sale. As soon as those deals go live, you can quickly add wished items to your cart to purchase at their peak discount before they sell out.
10. Don’t Forget to Check Reviews
The reviews on AliExpress can provide valuable intel to help you determine whether a bargain is legitimate or too good to be true. Sort by newest first and scan reviews from the past 30 days. If you see complaints about declining product quality, false advertising, or other red flags, you may want to reconsider purchasing – even at a stellar price. Reviews help identify reliably good deals on AliExpress.
Saving money on AliExpress takes a mix of strategy, skill, and luck. Following these tips will set you up to keep more dollars in your wallet. Keep an eye out for time-limited offers timed around big shopping moments, coupons, brand sales, and loyalty perks. Reviews and product wishlists enable making informed purchasing decisions. With the right approach, you can score big on everything from everyday essentials to high-value luxury items. Happy deal hunting!