Just tried placing an order through them for the first time today.
Wow, what hard work they are. They gave me a $2 voucher as a promotion for being a new customer, and it was automatically applied to my order. However, the order was rejected for the following reason:
"We regret to inform you that the recent use of coupon(s) in your order has been identified as being in violation of the guidelines outlined in our General Rules for Coupon Use. (
http://activities.aliexpress.com/adcms/help-aliexpress-com/coupon_usage.php) Your order will be cancelled, and any payments you have made (excluding any fees or charges which you have made to third parties) will be returned to your account."
After three attempts I went on to their live chat service to try and find out what was going on. After a very long conversation, the lady who dealt with me more or less admitted that it was a bug in their system (apparently other customers have also been affected) but that they weren't prepared to do anything to ensure that I could use the voucher I had been promised. Also, apparently there's also no way to make a complaint...
I realise it's only $2. But this fiasco hardly inspires confidence.
I'm wondering whether I've been unlucky, or whether this is typical of the service they provide. I'm a bit nervous that I've now given them my card details.