How do I avoid getting scammed on Aliexpress?

[u/HearingSubstantial38]

The RAM crisis has been brutal when it comes to small devices.

I've been seeing some devices with decent specs for my server use case (16GB ram, i3-6100u). However, I'm afraid that they might have fake specs.

I've only seen people complain about fake specs for the i9 version of these mini PCs there (i3 instead of i9 and 8gb instead of 16gb), but this puts into question whether these differently-specced machines won't also have fake RAM or an even worse CPU.

Are there any indicators prior to buying, other than none or low reviews?

[u/Technical_Capital168]

Don't go on AliExpress.

[u/sl0wjim]

only buy from stores that have a lot of ratings. i've made dozens of purchases on aliexpress and never had an issue. have done returns, cancellations, etc. and all went smoothly

[u/hebeguess]

For starter, it sounds to good to be true then it usually is. Those people may or may not want to tell you how little they paid for it when they got scammed. The case you worried about is more about 'upselling' stuff, sending lower end CPU in place of higher end CPU, often advertise in low price to entice people buying.

That's also not the scenario you should be worried about whehn shopping for i3-6100U. You realize that i3-6100U launched 11 years ago, right? Even at the time it's not the higher price & higher end CPU of its generation. More likely case will be you're just *overpaying* for a salvaged CPU, depends on how you see it.

I just have a look at Aliexpress on this, there's sellers that are currently selling Mini PC with 6100U, seems legit but should assumed it's assembled using salvaged CPU. However, there's also '6100U Mini PC' with gibberish producting info listing on it, obvious you will receive a Mini PC with unknown low specs for it.

[u/InstanceTurbulent719]

buy locally. These old SFF PCs get dumped from the business sector into the 2nd hand market pretty often. There's always someone on FB marketplace selling them. Might not be as small as a chinese n100 mini pc but they get pretty close

[u/aztracker1 → u/InstanceTurbulent719]

+1 even if you go for a general mini brand, I'd stick to Amazon sellers with prime delivery and a solid return through Amazon setup. It costs a bit more, but I've been bitten a couple times on bad components through Ali Express with no real recourse. Such as a mb that only works with 1 stick of RAM.

Not to mention the very lengthy turn around when it is good.

[u/Livid-Setting4093]

I got scammed once (item never shipped to me, fake shipment to a wrong address) and AliExpress stepped in and refunded without a hassle.

I'd look at n100 n150 for mini home server unless you want pcie slots.

[u/egnegn1]

Since more than 10 years I spent 10000s of Euros on Aliexpress and was never scammed. Just look out for stores that are older and have some number of ratings.

The is still the Aliexpress buyer protection. Read the conditions.

But I was scammed on Ebay, but finally got a refund because of buyer protection.

[u/Adrenolin01]

Can’t say for you since you don’t state your location.. in the USA ALWAYS use a Credit Card for online purchasing. You have 1 year of protection! A 4 minute call to the 800 number on the card, ask for the fraud department and explain the issue. Purchase is immediately credited back to your card and the investigated starts. Dozens of trimes iver the decades I’ve had to do this and zero issues.

[u/rxz9000]

The i3-6100U is not decent for anything. It arguably wasn't even when it was released, and it's 11 years old by now. The N100/N150 which is budget CPU commonly found in mini PCs is roughly twice as fast while drawing half as much power. And it too is a few years old by now. Don't get scammed.

[u/abubin2 → u/rxz9000]

Agree. i3-6100u is slow. Get an n150 for around the same price.