One of the shipping options that AliExpress offers and that usually creates a bit of uncertainty is the mysterious Seller's Shipping Method. Do you know what kind of shipping method it is and how it works? If not, we'll analyze it and compare it with other shipping methods that usually appear as an alternative to Seller's Shipping Method.
TLDR: you can read the AliExpress official post about shipping methods here.
What is the Seller's Shipping Method?
Seller's Shipping Method means that the seller will choose the shipping method and the courier company they want. Therefore, this alternative method can not be cataloged within those already established in AliExpress, the ones we explain in the shipping methods article. Keep in mind that you will not know the company the seller sent your order with, until they send it to you.
Tracking
Although this shipping method is decided by the seller, it will always be ordinary and untracked. So, once your order leaves China and arrives in your country, you will no longer be able to track it. This is because it is a very economical type of shipping and is used for low value items (less than $5), so it is usually free of charge.
In ordinary shipments, you do not have to sign for the delivery person to give you the order. In addition, it is common for the letter carrier to leave it in your mailbox. If it does not fit, they will leave a notice for you to pick it up at your local post office (or the equivalent in your country).
How can I find out which courier company is handling my order?
If you have already made your purchase and you have verified that your shipment is through Seller's Shipping Method, just click here and click on “Track Order”. Remember that the tracking number of your order may take several days (between 5 and 10) to provide you with information from the time of your purchase. If you don't see anything when you log in, wait a few days and try again. You can also message the seller to ask them which carrier they shipped your item with.
Estimated delivery time
Unlike the other AliExpress shipping methods that come with an estimated delivery date, in the Seller's Shipping Method, AliExpress provides you with a delivery date of 75-80 days. At first it may seem too far apart, but in this case, as the seller has free rein to choose one courier company or another, AliExpress can not provide a date as exact as with the other shipping methods. The most normal thing is that it arrives in much less time, although it is true that they are not usually the fastest shipments.
What do “delivery date ‘x' or full refund” mean?
You may have seen that next to the delivery date also appears “or full refund”. This means that if you do not receive your order in that time, you have the possibility to open a dispute requesting a full refund and AliExpress will accept it. You can open a dispute directly by clicking here.
Open a dispute when you really need it
Be careful because AliExpress takes into account if you usually open a dispute or if it is a tool that you use only as a last resort. If it is something you use on a recurring basis, you run the risk that AliExpress will stop taking you seriously and will not accept the dispute even if you have not received your order.
Opinions
If your only free shipping option is through Seller's Shipping Method, we advise you to choose it without hesitation, because, although it is a little slow, it usually does not present problems. For low-cost items it is not worth paying for shipping, considering that it may not be as profitable to buy it through AliExpress.
Seller's Shipping Method vs. other popular AliExpress shipping methods
If you have a choice between Seller's Shipping Method and another (and both are free), we'll compare this method with other very popular AliExpress methods you can usually find it with. That way you will pick the one that works for you the most.
Seller's Shipping Method vs AliExpress Saver Shipping
Although both shipments are ordinary, with AliExpress Saver Shipping you will be able to track your order at all times and that is a very important plus. In addition, with AliExpress Saver Shipping, the estimated delivery time is 30 days. All in all, if you can choose between the two, always choose AliExpress Saver Shipping.
Seller's Shipping Method vs AliExpress Standard Shipping
Main article: AliExpress Standard Shipping It is not the most common to find these two free shipping methods on the same product, although it can happen. AliExpress Standard Shipping is one of the best shipping methods offered by AliExpress as of today: fast shipping in 15-20 days and certified. So, there is no doubt, AliExpress Standard Shipping is the best choice.
Seller's Shipping Method vs Cainiao Super Economy for Special Goods
There is no big difference between these two methods, both are ordinary and have no tracking once they arrive in your country. The only difference is in the delivery date: while the Seller's Shipping Method is 75-80 days, the Cainiao Super Economy for Special Goods, although it is an estimated delivery, is reduced to 30-50 days. For this reason alone, we choose Cainiao Super Economy for Special Goods, because if you have a problem, you will not have to wait so long to open a dispute.