I did it: first order with Aliexpress..!

[PoodlesAgain]

Well, I got the fountain pen/calligraphy bug, and of course, there is a truckload of cloned pens made in China, at various quality levels, all available on Aliexpress.

So, I took the plunge and bought a very cheap pen with a stub nib, as I wanted to try out that "weight".
Most Chinese pens are available online in the U.S. but with a limited selection, in this case the uncommon nib.

The Aliexpress purchase was seamless, except for the 2 FA feature, including the one from the VISA card purchase.

By the way, Japanese brands, like Pilot or Sailor, make pens (and wonderful inks!) across a wide price range, with superb quality and consistency. Too bad that the Pilot U.S. distributor screws the retail prices (x2 native prices). If you are looking for unusual gift, select a mid-range Pilot and ink, and this classy gift will be noticed.

Pens and inks are not unlike guitars, pickups, and stings!

[tlarson58]

I hope that it gets to you write away.

[Tonray's Ghost]

So you ordered a 'Chilot' or 'Chailor' ?

[Lamf77]

I order from AliExpress often....maybe too often. Play their addictive games to get "coins". Every month or so they have a decent sale and when paired with your coins the saving are really nice. Also Rakuten chimes in and can often get to as high as 14%. Grabbed this during the last sale for unter $190 shipped...plus 14% back from Rakuten. I have had a few things come damaged and refunds were given swiftly and fairly.

[Tonray's Ghost]

I order from AliExpress often....maybe too often. Play their addictive games to get "coins". Every month or so they have a decent sale and when paired with your coins the saving are really nice. Also Rakuten chimes in and can often get to as high as 14%. Grabbed this during the last sale for unter $190 shipped...plus 14% back from Rakuten. I have had a few things come damaged and refunds were given swiftly and fairly.

A Chakk Wylde?

[Rollin Hand]

I order from AliExpress often....maybe too often. Play their addictive games to get "coins". Every month or so they have a decent sale and when paired with your coins the saving are really nice. Also Rakuten chimes in and can often get to as high as 14%. Grabbed this during the last sale for unter $190 shipped...plus 14% back from Rakuten. I have had a few things come damaged and refunds were given swiftly and fairly.

$190 shipped? That's a miracle, man....

I have yet to order a full guitar from AliExpress, but parts and fasteners have taken the slow boat from China to my door. That said, if a copy of an ESP Ash in the Sky Random Star (aka the Akira Takasaki guitar) comes up....

[Lamf77]

I order from AliExpress often....maybe too often. Play their addictive games to get "coins". Every month or so they have a decent sale and when paired with your coins the saving are really nice. Also Rakuten chimes in and can often get to as high as 14%. Grabbed this during the last sale for unter $190 shipped...plus 14% back from Rakuten. I have had a few things come damaged and refunds were given swiftly and fairly.

$190 shipped? That's a miracle, man....

I have yet to order a full guitar from AliExpress, but parts and fasteners have taken the slow boat from China to my door. That said, if a copy of an ESP Ash in the Sky Random Star (aka the Akira Takasaki guitar) comes up....

It was $220 and it was on sale for $190, then got a $20 coupon and and $10 off for "coins"....ended up being around $190. Plus Rakuten had 14% off at the time....now back to 2%. I usually buy parts from Amazon and return if they do not fit. Once I get them "right", I place subsequent orders with AliExpress due to cost. But yeah...takes awhile. They do have a delivery time guarantee. If your order does not arrive, you get a full refund.

And it is a Zakk Chibson....lol.


And this is my SRV "Chender".....ran me around $150 during a sale. Upgraded tuners, and wired pickguard.

[PoodlesAgain]

So you ordered a 'Chilot' or 'Chailor' ?

Nope.
A true Chinese Jinhao 992 with hard to find stub nib. No need to clone it it already is one!

Note: Many Chinese fountain pens are apparently quite good, owning to faithful copy practices, QA is hit or miss, and not using prime materials can be an issue. Heck just buy three and you get a good one!

Japanese fountain pens OTOH are quite good across the price range. Buy (or gift) the diminutive Platinum Preppy (5 USD) and see how good it is!

[idiotsdelight]

I ordered a shit ton of cycling gear last winter/spring from AE. Even returned poorly fitting items. Pretty sure I recieved all my refunds. Got a couple sets of nice carbon wheels (road and mtb) that have been bombproof. Got a great Misfits christmas sweater and an unreal PJ Harvey shirt with a gun in her mouth.

Love shopping AE.

[toomanycats]

I order from AliExpress often....maybe too often. Play their addictive games to get "coins". Every month or so they have a decent sale and when paired with your coins the saving are really nice. Also Rakuten chimes in and can often get to as high as 14%. Grabbed this during the last sale for unter $190 shipped...plus 14% back from Rakuten. I have had a few things come damaged and refunds were given swiftly and fairly.

A couple questions:

* Who is the the seller? Please post a link. I had lusted over listings I've seen on AliExpress but don't know which sellers can be trusted.

* Have you ever been hit up for customs fees upon receiving a guitar from AliExpress?

[Buddha Pickups]

I order from AliExpress often....maybe too often. Play their addictive games to get "coins". Every month or so they have a decent sale and when paired with your coins the saving are really nice. Also Rakuten chimes in and can often get to as high as 14%. Grabbed this during the last sale for unter $190 shipped...plus 14% back from Rakuten. I have had a few things come damaged and refunds were given swiftly and fairly.

A couple questions:

* Who is the the seller? Please post a link. I had lusted over listings I've seen on AliExpress but don't know which sellers can be trusted.

* Have you ever been hit up for customs fees upon receiving a guitar from AliExpress?

There are tons of sellers on ebay that have storage in the US so u don't have to deal with customs or risk it getting seized.
I got a Chibson RD the other day for 220 shipped on ebay, arrived within a few days from CA.
Aliexpress will have a larger selection and I assume their security is better now than the last time I used them 10 to 15 years ago.

[idiotsdelight]

I order from AliExpress often....maybe too often. Play their addictive games to get "coins". Every month or so they have a decent sale and when paired with your coins the saving are really nice. Also Rakuten chimes in and can often get to as high as 14%. Grabbed this during the last sale for unter $190 shipped...plus 14% back from Rakuten. I have had a few things come damaged and refunds were given swiftly and fairly.

A couple questions:

* Who is the the seller? Please post a link. I had lusted over listings I've seen on AliExpress but don't know which sellers can be trusted.

* Have you ever been hit up for customs fees upon receiving a guitar from AliExpress?

Look at reviews. You can get a good sense of something if there are a lot of reviews, especially with photos. Some buyers will offer a fair amount of info. Some can be gibberish given the magnitude of AE.

I also look at youtube reviews.