[iasay]

Not always.

Fine example is the cheap STM32 based PLC I bought. The thing was so badly designed you couldn’t plug an RS232 cable into it because the casing was in the way of the connector. When approaching the vendor, with photos, I got offered a $5 refund and told to take the casing off (which was required for it to fit on a rail). Aliexpress sided with the seller when I complained. I charge backed the whole $75 and Aliexpress blocked me as a buyer.

I said screw it and bought a second hand omron PLC off eBay.

Then there’s the fake semiconductors on there. It’s difficult to find any genuine ones.

The only reason Aliexpress is cheap is the post cost from them is low. Returns are really expensive to china so they will do everything to avoid it. If we shot some of the postal agreements Aliexpress would be dead overnight.