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Shopping on AliExpress

ChrisEdu

ChrisEdu

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I have been thinking about getting a new scan tool, as our household fleet keeps growing and changing. I've currently got the iCarsoft CR2 10 makes tool.
I was thinking about getting a Topdon Phoenix Lite 2, but have recently been looking at the Xtool D8W. Having searched the Web, the best deal seems to be through what is meant to be the Xtool Offical Store on AliExpress.
I've never shopped using AliExpress and was wondering if anyone here had any experience of doing so?
I'm a bit wary, as nearly all scan tools maker's, seemingly from China, appear to have multiple outlets, etc.. and there seem to be stories of fakes and clones being sold.
So, is it safe out there?
 
I've used AliExpress twice, paying via Paypal, and never had a problem Neither of my items cost enough to attract UK customs duty - I don't know whether that would be a problem with something more expensive like a scan tool.
 
How much will you be saving by buying it from AliExpress?
 
ChrisEdu said:
I have been thinking about getting a new scan tool, as our household fleet keeps growing and changing. I've currently got the iCarsoft CR2 10 makes tool.
I was thinking about getting a Topdon Phoenix Lite 2, but have recently been looking at the Xtool D8W. Having searched the Web, the best deal seems to be through what is meant to be the Xtool Offical Store on AliExpress.
I've never shopped using AliExpress and was wondering if anyone here had any experience of doing so?
I'm a bit wary, as nearly all scan tools maker's, seemingly from China, appear to have multiple outlets, etc.. and there seem to be stories of fakes and clones being sold.
So, is it safe out there?
Click to expand...
A Youtuber i follow who is sponsored by Topdon has links to their black friday deals on ebay. Never bought one but may be of some use if you are in the market.

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Items for sale by obdtoolsprostore | eBay

Shop eBay for great deals from obdtoolsprostore!
www.ebay.co.uk
 
According to a "friend" ahem, if you ask them they will put in a customs value less than amount to attract duty
 
I did message Xtool, via what would appear to be their official global site, and they said to search Xtool Official Store on AliExpress to find them.
They also confirmed prices on there are less than from their 'standard' online store.🤔
 
ChipChop said:
A Youtuber i follow who is sponsored by Topdon has links to their black friday deals on ebay. Never bought one but may be of some use if you are in the market.

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For more detailed information, see our cookies page.


Items for sale by obdtoolsprostore | eBay

Shop eBay for great deals from obdtoolsprostore!
www.ebay.co.uk
Click to expand...

I emailed the UK distributor about this video, to check if it was genuine UK stock. Apparently, it's not from Topdon UK, so wouldn't be supported by them. That's not to say the Chinese wouldn't support the products, but it might not be as easy as talking to someone in the UK.
 
I’ve used AliExpress twice with no problems, items arrived well before the ‘expected by’ date both times.
 
I’ve yet to order from them but have plenty of items in my basket on the site.

@Lennox used them all the time with no issues whatsoever.
 
ChrisEdu said:
I emailed the UK distributor about this video, to check if it was genuine UK stock. Apparently, it's not from Topdon UK, so wouldn't be supported by them. That's not to say the Chinese wouldn't support the products, but it might not be as easy as talking to someone in the UK.
Click to expand...

What if it needs to be shipped back under warranty?

And will you be required to pay 20% VAT by UK Customs?
 
I've used AliExpress a number of times without any problems. They're basically like a Chinese Amazon, so chances are there will be *some* dodgy sellers in there though. I once bought a new compact camera on Amazon UK which was clearly used (or at best, demo stock) when it arrived. As mentioned if you use PayPal you're pretty well protected.

Another useful company (which I've used much more, again with zero issues) is Banggood:

Banggood UK: Global Leading Online Shop for Gadgets and Fashion

Banggood:Global Leading Online Shop. Buy 3d printer, rc toys, cell phones, home appliances, tv box, home&garden, apparel with great prices on banggood.com
uk.banggood.com uk.banggood.com

A lot of their stuff ships from China but they do hold stock in UK and EU warehouses now as well.
 
I have bought a few car related products. Good communication from them on Whats app. & email. They send any pics required. Considering the time difference between the UK & China all queries are more or less answered immediately. I often wonder if they go to bed. Delivery is very fast, often quicker than a UK company. I would certainly recommend them.:thumb::thumb: They take Paypal, there is a bit of a premium with exchange rates, but not a lot.
No, I don't have shares in AliExpress:rolleyes:
 
markjay said:
And will you be required to pay 20% VAT by UK Customs?
Click to expand...

Some companies do allow you to specify a customs declaration value (often as a percentage to be applied to the actual value).

Even without that, my experience is that stuff coming from China doesn't seem to attract as much attention from HMRC as packages from (say) the USA. I think a lot depends on the shipping company - I've only ever had VAT & duty to pay on two packages sent to me from China and both of them came by FedEx. I don't think that was a coincidence - they make money by charging a handling fee for passing the amount due on to HMRC. Ironically both were freebies rather than things I'd bought!
 
Mate of mine buys a lot of bicycle parts off AliExpress with zero problems and they appear to be genuine and decent.

I’ve downloaded the app and had a nose and it lost me completely.
 
Hi,
Have bought hundreds of things from AliExpress.
Very few problems - shipping times can be a bit long sometimes, especially if you select the free shipping option.
Cheers
Steve
 
I've bought from there on many occasions including tools. I had one or two problems over the past 10 years (in the early years). Pay by CC and you'll have recourse if things do not go well. I would not hesitate buying a scan tool from there.
 
alabbasi said:
...Pay by CC and you'll have recourse if things do not go well....
Click to expand...

As above. Earlier this year I ordered tools from a UK website, that turned out to be landing page for a Chinese company. The goods were delivered by post from China, but it was the wrong item. The Chinese supplier was being very difficult, they wanted me to ship the goods back to them at my own cost, which I refused to do. I logged a complaint with my Credit Card provider, and they stepped in and refunded me in full.
 
Regarding AliExpress, I only ever ordered one low-value item from there, and had no issues with the order, but it did take a long time to arrive (as the seller said it would) because it is sent from China by 'snail mail' to reduce costs.
 
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