You’ve found an awesome deal on Aliexpress. You check the product details, see there’s no catch, and make your purchase. Fast forward a couple of weeks and your new items have arrived. You rip open the packaging to find your new shoes are made from cheap imitation leather and smell faintly of dog food. What went wrong? Luckily, it’s not as bad as that for most people who buy from Aliexpress. In fact, the risk is fairly low given how many transactions take place each day with zero issues reported to date. However, much like any other online marketplace, there are some risks you need to be aware of before using your debit card on Aliexpress.
Is Aliexpress Safe To Use Debit Card?
Aliexpress is one of the largest E-commerce websites in the world. It is safe to use debit cards on Aliexpress because they are a trusted company and they have a secure payment system. You can pay through credit card, debit card, and also through payment Gateway using your bank account. Their payment system is safe and secure so you don’t have to worry about your financial information. The website is also very user-friendly so you don’t have to worry about that as well.
How To Shop On Aliexpress Safely With A Debit Card?
1. Use A Virtual Credit Card
If you have a credit card, you can use it to purchase items from Aliexpress. It’s best if you can use a card that has a low daily spending limit, though. It’s also a good idea to use a card that has good rewards. You might not want to use your main credit card because of the risk of getting charged a very high-interest rate if you don’t pay off your credit card balance in full each month. If you don’t have a credit card or don’t want to use one, you might want to consider getting a virtual credit card. They aren’t real credit cards, but they allow you to make purchases online just like you would with a regular credit card.
2. Always Check The Seller’s Reviews
You should always be sure to read reviews from previous customers before you purchase from any seller on Aliexpress. This can help you identify any potential scams or ways that the seller might not be trustworthy. If a seller has a high rating on Aliexpress, it’s a good indicator that they are trustworthy. You don’t want to purchase items from sellers with low ratings because they might not be legitimate or they might send you low-quality products. Always check the seller’s reviews before you buy anything from Aliexpress. If a seller has a low rating, don’t buy anything from them no matter how great the deal is.
3. Pick Up Shipment Through Registered Fright Services
If you are purchasing items from a seller based in China, you might want to pick the Registered Logistics Services option. This shipping service is used by sellers throughout Asia, and it comes with many benefits. When you choose this option, you can track your shipment and know exactly when it will be delivered to your house. You can also make sure that your shipment is insured in case anything goes wrong. When you choose Registered Logistics Services, your shipment will be sent through the Chinese postal service. This is helpful because it can make your package less likely to be held up in customs. It’s important to note that this service is only available for certain shipping destinations.
4. Only Use Trustworthy Payment Methods
Whenever possible, you should only use payment methods that are trustworthy. You definitely don’t want to use a debit card that has a low daily spending limit. You also don’t want to use a credit card that you don’t plan on paying off as soon as you can. Instead, you might want to consider using a payment method that you can pay off right away. You can do this with a prepaid debit card, and there are several options available. A prepaid debit card lets you load money onto it before you shop on Aliexpress. There are many prepaid debit cards that let you withdraw money from an ATM for free and that don’t have monthly service fees.
Why Use Your Debit Card On Aliexpress?
1. Security
The first thing to consider when using your debit card online is the risk of fraud. Credit card fraud is very common, especially online. The risk of it happening to you is very low, but if it does, the consequences can be very high. You may be liable for the full amount of the purchase, and you may face high fees and negative marks on your credit report. Using your debit card online is much safer, with much smaller risks. Your bank will only release funds you have already deposited, which means that you aren’t liable for purchases and you aren’t at risk of a negative credit report.
2. Convenience
Credit cards offer a lot of flexibility, and are very useful for online shoppers who have been approved for a high-limit card that allows them to pay for large things over time, such as flights and cars. However, debit cards can be just as convenient for everyday purchases and smaller sums of money. For example, when paying for smaller items online, you may be tempted to use a credit card to get points or rewards. However, this isn’t a great idea. Credit cards are riskier to use online, as you need to enter your card details. This can lead to fraud much more easily. Using your debit card online is less risky. You don’t need to enter any card details, and you can withdraw money from your bank account at any time, without needing your card.
3. Frequent Shopper Programs
When shopping on Aliexpress, frequent shopper programs are not as important as they might be when using a credit card. However, with a debit card, you can still take advantage of many of the benefits that these programs offer. Many stores will let you join their rewards program, meaning that you can earn points or extra cash back for every purchase you make. This is often done through a third-party app, and if you use your debit card you can still access this app even though you don’t have a credit card.
4. Protection From Loss & Theft
The risk of fraud increases when you use a credit card. This is because if someone manages to steal your card details, they could use your credit card to make fraudulent purchases. Your debit card is much safer in this respect, as the money you spend can only be taken from the money you have already deposited into your account. If your debit card is stolen, you can report it to your bank and have your card blocked to prevent fraudulent use. The same is not true of credit cards. Even if someone steals your credit card details, you are protected and don’t need to worry. This is because card issuers offer a lot of protection against fraud. They will refund you if someone manages to steal your credit card details and make a purchase using them – even if that purchase is just $1.
5. No Credit Card Fee
Some Aliexpress sellers impose a surcharge on purchases made with credit cards. However, you can avoid this fee by using your debit card instead. Some people prefer to use their credit card for purchases under a certain amount so that they can get the rewards and protection that come with it. However, if you use your debit card for every purchase, you can avoid this fee.
What Are The Risks Of Using Your Debit Card On Aliexpress?
- Just like any other online marketplace, Aliexpress also has its own set of risks associated with shopping online using your debit card. While there are many sellers on the platform who will ship you quality products, there are also some who will not. In fact, some sellers are out to scam unsuspecting customers for their hard-earned money.
- The most significant risks associated with using your debit card on Aliexpress include – – Credit card fraud
- This is one of the biggest risks associated with shopping online from any site that doesn’t have a secure payment mode like PayPal.
- Items that are delivered without CO-D or after a very long delay. Some sellers will use this to their advantage and deliver fake products or products that are really very late.
- Product quality issues – There may be a few cases where the products you receive are of poor quality. But in most cases, the products may be of a lower quality than advertised.
Final Words
Online shopping today has become a way of life for many individuals. With a plethora of online marketplaces out there, it is not surprising to see the exponential growth of e-commerce. While most online shopping sites are safe to use, there are a select few that require you to be cautious. Aliexpress is one of them. Ultimately, the question of whether Aliexpress is safe to use with a debit card is difficult to answer. While the risks of shopping online with a debit card are not as high as those associated with credit cards, there are some risks you need to be aware of before making a purchase.
