Ali express

[frazzledfragglefromfragglerock]

So my daughter is anime mad and wants all things anime. I have already got some quality items for Xmas and her jan birthday.

She is loving playing genshin impact on her phone and I wanted to get some merch as stocking fillers (so lower priced items) Found some nicer looking stuff on Ali express but never used it so wondering on people experiences?

My brother is very much into anime and I think Ali express is very hit and miss. I think it's worth the risk for cheap things though.

I think it is probably too close to Christmas to order from Aliexpress and be sure it will get here in time.

I get various bits and pieces from there, stationary is usually OK, though the pictures aren't always accurate. But it is often 2-3 months for delivery.

I have used it and 90% of the time the order has been good.
However they can take a long time to arrive

I ordered all my christmas stuff from there ages ago, I wouldn't bank on anything arriving in time at this stage.

I get my DD anime merch from Etsy. Being handmade it is really nice to support small businesses rather than the mass produced Chinese stuff from Ali Express.

Only downside is it that a lot of it is made in Canada etc so will need to get it ordered ASAP for Xmas! Luckily DD’s bday is in November so I usually buy things for that and if they don’t arrive in time then I give them for Xmas.

How old is your DD? I just bought mine (15) an awesome sword from DNA Leisure. Ordered it late on Sunday night, sent them my ID proof yesterday and it arrived today! It’s a beautiful thing. I wasn’t sure which one to go for as I don’t know her favourite characters are so I got one with koi carp on it. It’s a really solid (and surprisingly sharp!) sword. She will love it. Just got to hope she doesn’t chop her hand off now.

this is the koi sword

See if you can find any selling with 10 day delivery. If you screen shot the items you want and then picture search for it using the search bar, and then tap orders at the top the sellers with the most sales of that item will show first, which is likely to be better quality items

Thanks for all the advice! I think I'll have a search through Etsy before I decide. @RaisedByPangolins that sword is lovely! Unfortunately she has the box room so no idea where one would go! I also don't know her favourite characters, she devours manga and anime so quickly I can't keep up!

I know mine is the same!! I only just got used to all the Harry Potter characters before she sold everything and went anime crazy instead

Aliexpress is fantastic... way better than Amazon and Wish or other such sites.

That said you will be risking it not arriving in time, it can take up to 3 months for some items to arrive however some things arrive within a week or two.

I have never had a quality issues and they have by far the best refund policy of any company. For anything that doesn't show up you just log a case and almost instantly have your money back.

I often find these days stuff on AliExpress is also available on eBay, usually a similar price and often quicker shipping time, so worth a hunt on there if you have something in mind!