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I ordered several cheap items from Alibaba 5-7 weeks ago now and none of these orders has ever turned up. I haven't received a call, and have been to the post office multiple times and checked the books and there is no trace of any of them.

A couple of other items that were express delivery and required signature on delivery turned up in no time, and I got called both times.

I see a lot of small packages at the post office each time I go, so obviously other people get their mail. Should I just pay extra for signature/registered/courier? Just hardly seems worth it for items that cost under $10.

Does anyone here receive their small parcels from overseas?

I receive packages from AliExpress all the time with no problem. (Sihanoukville). I do have a PO Box and they are cheap for a one year rental.

Sailorman wrote:I receive packages from AliExpress all the time with no problem. (Sihanoukville). I do have a PO Box and they are cheap for a one year rental.

I'll ask if they have any free boxes at PP post office. I notice there are plenty with tags on them saying payment is overdue, probably ex-expats.

I feel bad opening disputes for the items on Aliexpress because they probably did send the orders... but hey I'm out of pocket with nothing to show for it. One of them was a charger for my little netbook, because the original went missing from my bags on my way over. Just as well it's not my main one but it's handy for travelling around not having to lug my main laptop around.

Sailorman wrote:packages from AliExpress

Out of curiosity, how long do they usually take?

"China Post Air Mail" never goes near a plane, obviously... used to take 4-5 weeks to arrive in AU. Would have thought it'd be a bit faster here.

My free shipped stuff from china usually takes 3 to 4 weeks..

There was just some chinese holidays recently too which slows things down.

Be sure they put your phone number on the address label and the post office will call when they arrive.

I usually order from gearbest.com there shipping is faster than alibaba in my experience they also will provide tracking even for free shipped items for extra cost. The last item i bought was 19 cents for tracking numbe.

beaker wrote:My free shipped stuff from china usually takes 3 to 4 weeks..

There was just some chinese holidays recently too which slows things down.

Be sure they put your phone number on the address label and the post office will call when they arrive.

I usually order from gearbest.com there shipping is faster than alibaba in my experience they also will provide tracking even for free shipped items for extra cost. The last item i bought was 19 cents for tracking numbe.

Cool, thanks for the info. Yes I made sure my phone number is included in my address... the packages all seem to have just disappeared. I checked the books in case they missed calling me or something but they never made it that far.

Maybe I'll try gearbest.

I've bought a lot from the AliExpress site. I've only had a couple sites try and scam me. I either got my money back from AliExpress or my Visa provider. A couple where the company sent an inferior or cheaper product or sent nothing. Shipping has always been pretty fast also. The longest China Mail is a two/three weeks.

I believe having a post office box is key in getting things shipped here. EMS from the US is anywhere from 6 to 12 days.

I just bought a few things from Ebay last Friday, will keep you posted (pun intended) when they arrive.

I have subscribed to a weekly magazine, a couple of monthly magazines, and must have received close to a 100 parcels in the last seven years with everything from running shoes to camera equipment. Nothing ever went missing.

Here's how it has gone:

Bought 29 June; shipped 30 June - No delivery
Bought 3 July; shipped 4 July - No delivery
Bought 3 July; shipped 4 July - No delivery
Bought 21 July; shipped 23 July - Delivered 1 August (Registered Airmail)
Bought 21 July; shipped 22 July - No delivery

So only the registered airmail one arrived, the others are all MIA. Even the most recent one has had five weeks now and no sign of it.