Risks of Buying a Reel on AliExpress.com...???

[ITO_ZILLION]

Has anyone on here tried buying reels from AliExpress.com? Is it legit or is it a scam? Are the reels 'authentic' Daiwa or Shimano? The prices look so d**n good! Some of the CHEAPEST prices on the net that I can find so far. They have a Daiwa Tatula 100 for $115.00! 

I am not too keen on paying MSRP for a reel at a local tackle shop. Don't get me wrong, I am all for helping local business's in this time of need/crisis and all, but as a struggling angler on a shoestring budget, I need help too. Don't really feel like paying full price when I know I can get it for a cheaper price somewhere else online. I am just a little scared of getting scammed. Don't wanna end up with a reel that is clearly used or broken. Also don't want a reel that is clearly a 'knock-off' and is made with inferior materials/parts in order to cut corners/costs. Oh well, I guess that's the risk I am going to have to take since I am not willing to pay full price.

 

[Finessegenics]

Sounds like a bad idea to me but I truly have no idea if they are legit or not

[jbsoonerfan]

Never used that site, but you can get 100% legit products from the auction site. Looks like you can get a Tatula 100 for about $129 right now with free shipping. And I have bought from that seller and they are the real deal. 

[JustJames]

I bought a reel from Alixpress before. It is cheap reel, Daiwa Exceler LT 2000 5.3 gear because I can’t find it anywhere else. I wouldn’t buy expensive reels from them. I’ve heard about knock off, B grade or even internal swapped.

[ike8120]

It will depend on what store front you buy from. I have purchased from numerous stores without any issues, shipping does take some time. I have heard some buyers have had their CC compromised.

[CrankFate]

I would stick to buying stuff that isn’t a name brand on Ali Express. Maybe the Rays Studio stuff is real, but anything else? Good luck.

[newapti5]

Don't know about the "cheapest" part, but they're legit based on my purchase from some of the reputable sellers on Aliexpress. I got my Vanford and Stradic FL from them, because they have the shallow spools version, and cheaper than US market price. It took awhile to receive them, but they are all genuine and solid so far.

 

IMO, some of the interesting ones are the "CS" version reels Daiwa caters to Chinese market, like the Tatula 100 CS, Tatula SV CS, and even SV103 CS.  They are basically the "bling-bling" version of the original, with different color themes(mostly red for some reason) and different knobs. 

 

[bulldog1935]

I've never bought a reel, but piecemeal titanium fasteners, various handles knobs and reel decoration parts to get special threading

 

Ali Express seems to have a pretty good system for keeping track of their vendors - I did place one order for small parts that was never acknowledged, and received the time-set instant refund from Ali Express.  So their system works.  

Slow boat shipping from China, but also reliable - Ali Express bundles their own cargo to USA, then get it to USPS.  

Ray's Studio is in Thailand, btw. 

[ITO_ZILLION]

Thanks for all the info guys. I appreciate it. Here are some store fronts/names that I am browsing...

 

1. ALLSTAR TACKLE Store

2. Billings Fishing Store

3. WHOOPER FISHING GEAR store

4. Kingfisher Fishing Tackle Store

5. WEST DOOR FISHING TACKLE STORE

 

Which one 'looks' to be the most promising and trustworthy? Haha lol. Does anyone on here recognize any of these store front names? Which store front did you end up using and could therefore be labeled as an approved seller of good/authentic reels? 

 

I was thinking of going with the Allstar Tackle or Kingfisher stores. The Whooper and Billings sound 'janky' and feels like it could be knock offs. I am 50/50 on the West Door. What do you guys think? Haha lol.

[bulldog1935]

Billings makes first-rate tools.  

 

[jtharris3]

Why buy a cheap Chinese knockoff which was probably “developed” with stolen intellectual property? I’m all for being frugal but, not at the expense of rewarding those who produce cheap ripoffs. JMHO!

[Bluebasser86]

I bought my Fuego SV from Aliexpress and have bought a lot of other products from them. Never had any issues other than shipping can be a lengthy process. 

[cottny27]

I agree on the shipping. It can be 3 weeks...or 3mos.  

[mrpao]

I have bought several reels from there. Never had any problems, other than long shipping time. Usually around a month wait. They offer different models and gear ratios.

[ITO_ZILLION]

7 hours ago, cottny27 said:

I agree on the shipping. It can be 3 weeks...or 3mos.  

3 months !?!?!? d**n LOL. Is this due to US Customs or something else...? 

[Michigander]

My wife buys stuff on there all the time. It's just Chinese Amazon basically.

[redmeansdistortion]

14 hours ago, ITO_ZILLION said:

3 months !?!?!? d**n LOL. Is this due to US Customs or something else...? 

It's the logistics of the shipping company.  When buying from AliExpress, you have the option to choose faster shipping, which can be very costly depending on the seller.  I've bought some items that had an option for either AliExpress Premium Shipping or UPS shipping for a fair price, those items typically arrived in 2 weeks or less.  If it's AliExpress Standard Shipping or one of the other domestic Chinese couriers, it can take a fair bit of time.

[the reel ess]

Go to their Facebook feed and see the comments. That'll tell the tale. I've seen several of these bargain basement sites that will gladly take your money and maybe deliver your goods months later. Most things that are just too good to be true are not completely true.

[oldschoolbasser]

Why not buy on Amazon JP? I bought a 2021 Zillion for under $300 shipping included,and it only took 4 days to Arrive.