I buy lots of stuff from Aliexpress! It's usually lots of low-stakes stuff like bullet journal stuff, pins, phone cases, magnets, small electronics parts, stones, christmas decorations, baking supplies.

But I think our experience differs in that I'm really happy with the quality. Once you start checking Aliexpress for stuff you're about to buy you see just how much stuff in stores is just rebranded bulk orders from Alibaba at a huge markup. I think the most egregious example I found was a tapestry from Urban Outfitters. They were selling it for $50+ and it was on Aliexpress for $3.