I have been interested in pedals, and I knew nothing, but I wanted to learn. So I just sort of started buying the cheapest versions of effects I could find to see what's in them and see how they sound. I still now almost nothing, but in the process of exploring things, I accidentally found the very cheapest way to get pedals shipped to the US.
If you are interested, below are some price examples so you can see what I mean, and my method for using AliExpress.
============================================
In the last couple months for example, I paid the prices below, including tax and shipping to USA.
Irin American Sound Amp Sim $13.25
Irin Classic Flanger $10.00
Rowin Comp Box Optical Compressor $10.00
Mooer "Envelope" Filter $27.00
Miwayer Vintage Phase $6.75 (you can get any pedal from this line for about this price today)
Miwayer Analog Delay $5.50
Miwayer Ultimate Drive $7.00
Miwayer US Dream $7.50
M-Vave Mini Universe Reverb/Shimmer $21.00 (You can get this about 25% cheaper today)
Rowin Octpus $26.50 (You can probably get this ~10-15% cheaper today as well)
Joyo ZGP Noise blocker (isolates a single pedal) $7.00 (You can probably get it cheaper today)
IRIN 10-Band EQ $6.50 (a coupon helped achieve this price)
Note: Miwayer is the same as Kmise, Saphue, Yuer, etc. But the Miwayer brand lists cheapest on AliExpress.
============================================
How to get the best prices, shipped to US in 10 days or you get a $1 off coupon (1 use per order) for each late item:
1. Spend time earning coins on the app. You will also stumble upon coupons as you use the app. You should be able to earn around 100 coins ($1) per day by maximizing all available coins.
2. Wait for the monthly sale ("choice day") or a big sale like 11.11, Xmas, Black friday (going on now), etc.
3. Pick something from the coins menu with a $10.00 or more list price to get free shipping. Look for the biggest coin discount, usually around 40%, but sometimes more. You cannot combine items into one order when using coins. But coupons like $3 off of $19 will still work in the coins shop.
4. Click through to the final purchase confirmation page, which is the only way to see the true price, with all discounts, accurately. Be careful not to buy until you are ready!!
4. Alternatively, you might add items to your normal cart if you can get a nice coupon to go with it. But usually coins are the cheapest way.
5. Another alternative: you can get a free 30 day trial of AliExpress VIP which comes with ~$20 of coupons. I have not tried this yet because I don't want to deal with cancel it. With how much I buy, the VIP membership would probably pay for itself. Just worth a mention.
Notes about the app:
1. The app search function is very poor. I can't explain it, but be aware that a simple search does not seem to always show all the options out there. The sort functions are truly, genuinely worthless. Instead, I find it better to click and explore: click on a relevant item, then scroll down to recommended items, and repeat a couple more times until you are satisfied you've seen the best deals.
2. The coins discount is also wonky. Sometimes you get the full 40% off or whatever, and sometimes you just don't. I can't explain it, but you can confirm the price by clicking to the final purchase page. There is no other way to accurately see the final price when using coins.
3. As always, watch for tricks like a low list price with exorbitant shipping. Watch for "Dollar Express" which works like a totally different "store" within the "mall" that is AliExpress. You won't be able to use coins, etc. in Dollar Express. Always confirm your final price before you pay for anything on AliExpress.
My experience with defective products/scams:
I know this is a common concern, so I'll just say this: I've used AE for many years, at least 5 years and hundreds of individual orders. I use it for every hobby: woodworking, toolmaking, car repair, metalwork, soldering, painting, and on and on. It's been awesome for small things I would buy on Amazon and don't expect to hand down to my grandchildren. I expect to get what I ordered, but I am aware that what I am ordering is not a name brand product--that's the best way I can describe it.
I have never had a pedal arrive DOA (23 pedals ordered), and I've had just a couple items never arrive (years ago) or arrive defective (most recently a lithium rechargeable 9V battery I bought in 2023). I would say literally a couple percentage points of my many, many orders. When I've had a problem, I reported it in the app and got an instant refund. No runaround at all. You can see what a cheapskate I am--I wouldn't use it so much if I couldn't have a reasonable amount of faith in the products. And in my extensive experience I have NEVER been left truly empty handed or "scammed." For what that's worth...
Do what you will with this information. It might help a beginner like me get into pedals. Or you might be more inclined to mod a $7 pedal, etc. I hope somebody finds this helpful and it saves some hard-earned money.