Originally Posted by
cpach
If you can handle long lead times, for some bulk items AliExpress can make some sense--I like having a stock of cheap black foam handlebar tape onhand, and it's hard to go wrong with this so I've bought it direct from china for <$2/roll before, which is cheaper than dealer cost on any tape available through US distributors. Probably can get some gray market Shimano/Microshift 7/8sp drivetrain stuff if you go through it regularly. I wouldn't use it for anything higher end.
I usually buy most of my parts on ebay but tried AliExpress a few months ago. I am severely disappointed in their lack of customer service and lead time is worse then ebay if the product gets there at all. Needless to say I am done with them.