How to spot a legit AliExpress seller before you buy that Halloween costume

Lots of sales but barely any reviews? Here is a simple checklist to spot a trustworthy seller and protect your money before Halloween.

Why “100 sold, 5 reviews” is not always a red flag

You found the perfect Nightwing compression shirt for Halloween, but the listing says 100 sold and only a handful of reviews. It is natural to feel nervous. The good news is that this mismatch is common on AliExpress, and it does not automatically mean a scam.

Most buyers never leave a review. Many are happy to receive the parcel and move on. On top of that, AliExpress sometimes carries over sales numbers when a seller merges or relists similar products, so the “sold” count can include variations of the item. Reviews also only appear after delivery is confirmed, so a fast-growing listing can look thin on feedback for a while.

That said, a low review ratio is a reason to look closer, not a reason to panic. Think of it as one signal among several. A listing with 100 sales, 5 reviews, a brand-new store, stock photos only and a price far below everyone else is a very different story from the same numbers on a store that has been open for years with a high rating.

The goal is not to find a perfect, risk-free seller. It is to stack the odds in your favour and make sure that if something goes wrong, you can get your money back. The next sections show you exactly what to check, in a few minutes, before you hit Buy.

A five-minute checklist to vet any AliExpress seller

Before you pay, run through these checks. None of them take long, and together they filter out most problem sellers.

• Store age and rating. Open the seller page and look at how long the store has been open and its positive feedback score. A store that has traded for a few years with consistently high ratings is a safer bet.
• Read the actual reviews. Filter for reviews with photos. Real buyers usually post pictures of the shirt on their body, showing the true fit and print quality, not glossy marketing shots.
• Check the 1 to 3 star reviews. These tell you the real risks: sizing that runs small, faded prints, or slow delivery.
• Compare prices. If the same compression shirt is much cheaper than every other store, be cautious. Licensed-looking superhero designs are often unofficial, so expect a fan-made print rather than official merchandise.
• Look at the shipping details. A listing with a clear delivery window and a trackable shipping option is better than one that is vague.
• Message the seller. Ask about sizing or stock. A quick, sensible reply is a good sign; silence or copy-paste answers are not.

Also check the size chart carefully. Compression wear is meant to fit tightly, and Asian sizing often runs smaller than AU, UK or US sizes. Measure your chest and compare it to the chart rather than guessing your usual size.

Protect your payment and plan for delivery time

Even with a careful check, the real safety net is how you pay and how you track. On AliExpress, payment is held until you confirm delivery, and Buyer Protection lets you open a dispute if the item never arrives or is not as described. Always pay inside the platform. If a seller asks you to chat or pay outside AliExpress, walk away.

Keep a few habits in mind:

• Screenshot the listing, price and size chart before you order.
• Do not confirm delivery until you have tried the shirt on.
• Note the Buyer Protection deadline and open a dispute before it expires if there is a problem.
• Use a credit card or a payment method that gives you extra chargeback options.

Timing matters too. For a Halloween costume, order early. Standard shipping from China can take weeks, and customs checks can add delays. If you are buying several items from different stores, shipments can arrive on different days, and combining them into one parcel can save hassle.

If you are curious how the shipping side adds up when you send or consolidate parcels between China and your country, try the calculator below. Costs depend on weight, size and route, so use it rather than guessing.

You can also use the calculator at cal.ebaoguo.com to compare routes for your own country.

How Ebaoguo can take the risk out of buying from Chinese sellers

When you are unsure about a seller, a middle step can help. With a buying and forwarding service, your order goes to a warehouse first, where it can be received, checked and then sent on to you. That means you see problems like the wrong size or a missing item earlier, and you can combine several purchases into a single international shipment instead of waiting on many separate parcels.

It is also useful if a Chinese shop does not ship to your country, or if payment methods give you trouble. A proxy buyer can handle the purchase on your behalf, so you are not stuck at checkout. Costs vary by item and route, so check the calculator for an estimate.

Frequently asked questions about AliExpress sellers

Ready to buy with more confidence and fewer surprises? Talk to our team at https://cal.ebaoguo.com/ and we will help you plan your order.