Categories How does it work?All Shops Coupons Earn Bonus Blog Community About Us Help & Support

Shop Talk

We’re here to talk shop—online shopping, that is. Whether you’re looking for flights, phones, or footwear, our blogs have you covered, from product comparisons and payment methods to rebates, refunds, and more.

International shopping Top 7 Chinese Shopping Websites for Electronics Turn just about any electronic product around to look at the label and you will likely see "Made in China". According to Henry Yeung from the National University of Singapore, China is estimated to manufacture more than half of the world's electronics. For this reason, whether you own an e-commerce store, are shopping for pleasure, or are simply looking for new suppliers, it's always cheaper to avoid "middlemen" and go to the source. As they produce the majority of the world's electronics, it's a no-brainer to do your online electronics shopping from a Chinese electronics website. » Worried about scams? Read our guide to finding the best deals on AliExpress A Quick Look at Our Top 7 AliExpress: Best for product diversityMiniIntheBox: Best product choice and site navigationBangGood: Cheapest deliveryGearBest: Best customer serviceFocalPrice: Most unique productsGeekBuying: Fastest shippingLightInTheBox: Best for rewards and discounts 1. AliExpress Best for: Product diversity ProsMassive diversity of productsCountless suppliersFree shipping on many productsDirect contact with suppliersNo minimum order requirementsConsDifficult to tell counterfeit products from originalsDeal with 3rd-parties middlemen instead of wholesalersPainstaking returns processSlow shipping times Shipping and Fees There is no setup fee to use Aliexpress, all you will need to do is register with your email and pay for the products and shipping methods you choose. This makes the site perfect for gifts and AliExpress gift cards. If you are shipping from an international warehouse, customs fees may need to be manually paid, unless your shipping option has this covered for you. If you live in an area that has a warehouse, you will be subject to a free return on problematic products, provided you can deliver the item to the corresponding location. If there are no local warehouses, or your return is later than 15 days, the shipping will need to be covered by the customer. » Get cashback from AliExpress 2. MiniInTheBox Best for: Product choice and site navigation ProsWide variety of electronic productsEasy return policy for damaged itemsSimple to navigate and make purchasesEarn an automatic 1% back on every purchaseConsMixed reviews about customer serviceAn extensive list of unreturnable itemsReturned items will need to be shipped to China at the customer's costProducts are of mixed qualityDifficult to distinguish between legitimate and fake products Shipping and Fees MiniInTheBox ships worldwide and to nearly every country on the globe. Because of this, the shipping fees can significantly differ, depending on your delivery address. Shipping insurance and duty and tax insurance can also be added to your orders at an additional cost (this will differ according to the product and shipping destination). In the case that you are charged tax upon the arrival of your product, and you have purchased tax insurance, MiniInTheBox will provide you with a 100% tax refund. » Get cashback from MiniInTheBox 3. BangGood Best for: Cheap delivery ProsMultiple warehouses around the globe provide faster and cheaper deliveriesMore secure than online stores that sell from 3rd-partiesOver 40 payment options, including cash on deliveryAutomatic loyalty programConsSometimes slow to respond to customer serviceUnpredictable shipping costsSmaller variety of productsItems are returned at the customer's cost Shipping and Fees BangGood offers free shipping to some, but not all countries. They do not specify which countries or regions this is available to, and it comes down to the product you have chosen and the nearest warehouse. A dropshipping program is also offered with no membership fee, where dropshippers will receive a 5% - 20% discount on some items. » Get cashback from BangGood 4. GearBest Best for: Prompt customer service ProsShips to most countriesMultiple shipping optionsCheaper than other online storesPrompt customer serviceConsSlow delivery timeComplicated and unreliable returns policySome complaints about accounts being closed and money/loyalty points lost Shipping and Fees GearBest is another Chinese online store that offers electronics at meager rates. They provide multiple shipping options, which, in some cases, are free. Standard shipping does not include tracking, but the additional cost of express shipping comes with tracking options. GearBest takes zero responsibility for import tax, and this will be up to the customer to deal with. That said, some express shipping countries will calculate your import tax into the pricing. » Get cashback from GearBest 5. FocalPrice Best for: Unique products ProsInteresting and unique productsCheaper than similar competitorsConsInconsistent customer serviceUnreliable delivery timesRefunds and returns can be difficultOnly has warehouses in Hong Kong Shipping and Fees As with most online stores, the shipping costs of FocalPrice differ, depending on where you'll be shipping to. Since the company only has warehouses in Hong Kong, the shipping fees can be expected to be higher than other online stores with local distribution locations. As for returns, FocalPrice requires customers to pay for return shipping, regardless of who was in the wrong. Although they will cover the shipping cost of getting the new or repaired item to you, the return shipping can easily surpass the cost of the original item. » Get cashback from FocalPrice 6. GeekBuying Best for: Fast shipping ProsLocal warehouses provide fast shippingLow shipping fees for local deliveriesFocuses on electronicsConsProduct quality can varyWebsite limits low-rating reviewsRefunds and returns can be difficult Shipping and Fees GeekBuying specializes in electronics, making them cheaper than many of their competitors. With multiple global warehouses, Geekbuying offers free shipping for products delivered from local warehouses. For incorrect, damaged, or otherwise unwanted goods, the shipping costs of returning the item is on the customer; however, Geekbuying will cover the return shipping of your replacement product. » Get cashback from GeekBuying 7. LightInTheBox Best for: Rewards and discounts ProsLarge product rangeOptions for slow, yet cheap shippingFriendly and helpful customer serviceConsProduct quality can vary greatlyRefunds and returns are expensive and not always honoredShipping is often slower than indicatedThe site is not 100% user-friendly Shipping and Fees Apart from expected shipping fees, LightInTheBox does not have any additional costs. That said, there are multiple shipping options at checkout, some of which are slower, cheaper, and non-inclusive of tracking. Additionally, all return shipping is at the cost of the customer, unless parcel insurance has been purchased at checkout. VAT and import tax are also the customer's responsibility; however, import insurance can be purchased to streamline this process. What makes LighInTheBox stand out is its unique VIP program, where customers can pay an annual membership fee for additional discounts, account managers, free samples, and more. There are four tiers of the VIP membership at the following costs: Gold: $20Platinum: $50Business: $100Diamond: $150 » Get cashback from LightInTheBox Final Thoughts Going directly to a Chinese online store is often the cheapest way to get new electronics delivered anywhere in the world. That said, convenience and product diversity remains major drawing points, which is why it's often worth browsing for the cheapest Chinese sites for quality goods and services.

International shopping Buying AliExpress Electronics: How to Spot a Good Deal With nearly all electronics sold worldwide originally coming from China, it's not hard to believe that you'll also be getting the best deals on your favorite gadgets by purchasing them directly from Chinese e-commerce stores rather than from traditional retailers in the US or UK. Arguably the most popular of these e-commerce platforms is AliExpress. Owned by retail and tech giant Alibaba Group, AliExpress sees over half a billion visitors each month. While many deals on AliExpress appear to be good, it's often difficult to tell what's really good due to the number of scammers selling fake or defective products on the platform. Thankfully, we've got you covered. » Looking for more tech deals? Check out the cheapest Chinese sites for quality products The Problem With AliExpress Deals It's important to understand that AliExpress isn't a merchant that buys and sells the products itself—AliExpress is merely a marketplace connecting thousands of e-commerce merchants, suppliers, and manufacturers with potential buyers. This means that you have to be extra careful when deciding who to buy from since you could easily fall into scams or sketchy deals if you're not careful (the same happens on other websites like eBay and Amazon). Even with the extra vigilance required, AliExpress is still the premier platform for you to find great deals on basically anything. Here are our top tips for spotting great electronics deals on AliExpress. 5 Tips for Spotting Great Electronics Deals on AliExpress 1. Compare the Prices on Different Platforms If you ever see a product you like at what seems to be a great price, first take a moment to cross-check the price with more sellers, other platforms, and the manufacturer's MSRP. Just because it has a "sale" tag and a big discount compared to the original price, merchants can lie about the original price. AliExpress usually has sellers with the best prices, but be sure by checking other e-commerce stores like DHGate and BangGood, or even your local retailers. Remember to factor in shipping costs and other fees. If it's still the cheapest on AliExpress, be sure to use your common sense to determine if the price isn't too low. Extremely low prices may be indicative of fake or defective products. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. 2. Assess the Ratings, Reviews, and Sales A great feature of AliExpress is the review and rating system where people who have purchased the product from the seller previously can leave feedback. A high number of good reviews matching healthy sales figures are a sign of a good deal and often earns the seller an AliExpress "Top Brand" badge. When looking at an individual merchant, you should check if they have good ratings on their other products too, while new sellers with little to no reviews and sales should be treated with suspicion. As you can see below, the particular product has over 5,000 reviews and an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars, while the seller has over 300,000 followers and the Top Brand badge, so we can assume that the great 56% off deal is legit. 3. Watch Out for Hidden Charges While a merchant may display a low price on the product page, they often use shady tactics to boost the price when you check out. Always review the total amount just before you pay, since you might miss the add-ons. Some common tactics used are high insurance costs, expensive shipping, or other similar unnecessary fees. While you will still need to pay shipping and insurance (which could be higher depending on the region you live in), it shouldn't make a game-changing difference to the overall cost. If the product's price is still low after such fees, then you might still be good to go ahead and complete the purchase. Just be aware that sellers who resort to such shady practices on pricing may be committing similar acts elsewhere (such as shipping low-quality, defective, or fake products). 4. Check the Seller Guarantees To combat fraud and scams, AliExpress created the Buyer Protection program. Some of the guarantees included are on-time delivery, product-as-described, no-questions-asked domestic returns, and guaranteed genuine. If a seller has any or all of these listed on the product page (or their merchant page), then you can buy from them with ease of mind that you're covered for any eventualities where the product doesn't arrive on time, isn't what you paid for, you don't want it anymore (if it's unopened and unused), or is counterfeit. 5. Use a Price Tracker The best way to spot good deals is to have a price tracker do it for you. Services like AliPrice and Pricearchive let you check an individual product's price history and see if you're getting a good deal or if you should rather wait before purchasing. They also offer handy features such as price drop notifications and price comparisons across other Chinese e-commerce stores. Don't Get Scammed By AliExpress Sellers If you ever do get scammed by an AliExpress seller, you don't have to fret. AliExpress' Buyer Protection program is available for such situations and you can easily get your money refunded. So while you may have heard of unhappy customers who bought from AliExpress, with some common sense and our tips you'll be getting great electronics deals in no time at all without having to worry about losing out. » Earn up to 9% cash back from AliExpress with CashYo

International shopping Agoda vs. Priceline: Features, Prices, and Best Choice for 2023 One of the best ways to streamline travel planning (and save money) is by using a travel website to find good deals for flights, lodging, and activities. Travel sites like Agoda and Priceline offer competitive prices and a range of features, helping you find the best value for your budget. In this article, we will compare the features and prices of Agoda vs. Priceline for 2023 and recommend which site is the best choice for your travel needs. Agoda Vs. Priceline: A Summary Both Agoda and Priceline are great travel websites for finding flights and hotels. Depending on your destination and budget, you can also book rental cars, cruises, and tourist activities on both platforms. Agoda and Priceline are sister companies, with Priceline acquiring Agoda in 2007. However, their features remain distinct, and they continue to offer specialized deals and promotions for travelers of different budgets. Agoda: Key Features and Pros & Cons ProsAvailable in 38 languagesOver 2 million available propertiesAvailability in 200+ countriesSuits many budget rangesVIP discounts and deals for membersBuilt-in loyalty programLower fees compared to other similar platformsAccepts PayPal and all major credit cardsConsDifficult to get refundsThe cancelation process can be tediousHigher taxes in certain citiesSome users report bugs on the Android and iOS apps Agoda is well-known in Asia and continues to be a leading online hotel reservation service in the region. The website is trusted by many travelers looking for a wide range of flight options and accommodations to suit every budget, from luxury villas and hotels to budget hotels, apartments, and homes for rent. Its services remain focused on offering the lowest available hotel prices, and its hotel network includes more than 40,000 properties. Pricing and Fees Regarding pricing and fees, Agoda offers many coupons and insider deals to help travelers save money, such as 15% off during special occasions (holidays, summer, Valentine's, etc.). Agoda also has a VIP membership package that interested customers can sign up for, with the following benefits: Up to 25% VIP discountAgoda's Best Price Guarantee on bookingsExclusive perks on select propertiesAccess to insider deals and VIP discountsEarn and redeem AgodaCash, the platform's loyalty rewards program Agoda also accepts payments via PayPal and all major credit cards, including Master Card, AMEX, Visa, JCB, and Carte Bleue. Payment information is also securely saved on the user's account for easier checkouts in the future. However, an additional 10% to 25% for taxes and service charges may be added to the total booking cost, so keep that in mind when budgeting for your trip. Customer Service Agoda offers customer support in multiple languages, with a customer support team available via phone, email, and chat. Agoda's dedicated customer support team is trained to assist guests in finding the best deals and offer help in changing or canceling bookings. » Get up to 4% cashback from Agoda Priceline: Key Features and Pros & Cons ProsGreat deals when using the appGreat deals for free VIP membersOver 600,000 available propertiesGreat customer service availability (24/7)ConsNot as many payment optionsStrict and unsupportive refund/cancelation policiesUnintuitive app that doesn't match the website info Priceline was founded in 1997 and has since provided travelers with access to deals for hotel rooms, airline tickets, cruises, and vacation packages. Priceline has access to over 600,000 properties across various locations and offers customers affordable accommodations via their Best Price Guarantee. Pricing and Fees Priceline's multi-tiered VIP membership program offers members additional ways to save and score good deals. The first tier grants VIP status upon sign-up and offers benefits such as: Priceline's Best Price GuaranteeHotel savings of up to 10%VIP rental car discount of up to 10%Add-on deals of up to 50% off on hotels and 20% on cars for add-ons to existing trips5% extra deals coupons Members advance in tier after completing a certain number of trips, with savings and deals increasing as they go up each level: VIP Blue: 2 completed tripsVIP Gold: 5 completed tripsVIP Platinum: 25 completed trips Priceline accepts payments via Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, and Discover. Customer Service Priceline's VIP Gold and VIP Platinum members enjoy Priority and First Priority status on all customer service concerns. Priceline's customer support team is available via chat, SMS, call, or WhatsApp to assist customers with reservation concerns, cancelations, booking inquiries, and more. Final Verdict: Which Is Best? While both websites offer customers a wide variety of deals for international travel needs, Agoda offers a smoother customer experience with its modern and responsive desktop, tablet, and mobile sites, allowing for quick and powerful searches every time. One of the cons that most users identify with Priceline is that its website and app are not user-friendly, with users needing to go through many steps and filter quite a bit of information before getting the deals they need. With that in mind, it's clear that the winner is Agoda due to its extensive list of pros that far outweigh its cons and even the pros of Priceline.