Counter argument number 2; if I knew that the cost of building my first Chiner was just the same price as buying a newly build Merida Scultura 5000 Bahrain Edition or a Giant Propel (I just add a couple of hundred dollars) then I could've just bought those bikes lol. But I'll target Merida Scultura Race edition first if I am planning to buy some branded bikes. OR just buy more frames from Yishun or Lightcarbon

If you fit onto a standard build from the likes of merida then they are definitely equal value, the difference is once you realise you most likely have to change handlebars/stem/crankset/cassette/tyres because they aren't in your desired specification the chiner build from scratch is far superior.

Remember to use cashback options as well, 4.5% with cashrewards, i believe topcashback has an even better cashback option (Australia).

Sorry I should have mentioned, of course that would be my preferred option. However there are two issues:

1. I'm in Australia and the second hand market for Cannondale SSE from those years is not extensive
2. To compound I am looking for a 49 or 50cm frame which is pretty rare.

I'm from Europe and I actually have a lovely Cannondale SS Evo Hi-Mod rim brake that I found on the second hand market for cheap a few years back, it's my bike for when I go back to see family! I don't want to bring it back for now...

I do keep a close eye on the market here for anything that would come up but so far no luck. Am looking at a Merida Reacto EVE 909 this week that looks pretty cool and is priced properly!

Just wanted to get a feel for a chiner option.

They are definitely out there in Australia, I was looking at a weightweenie sse from 2013(?)~ with full 11s sram red that was $1600.
I personally wouldn't trust a lightweight climber frame from the budget chiner brands, you'll notice on most frames they have a lot more carbon than needed which is most likely due to them not trusting their manufacturing process which is fine when you're going for an aero bike but when it comes to climbing it is counterintuitive.

The price difference is dependent on the product. Right now the Magene PES the same price (before GST) on both the Magene store on AliExpress and PandaPodium ($299 USD) - so it makes more sense for me to buy on PandaPodium. To be frank, I have more faith in after sale support from PandaPodium judging by Joe's activity on WeightWeenies regarding the CRW wheels - I expect (and generally receive) absolutely zero from any AliExpress seller - even the so called 'official' stores.

Obviously there's a limit to how much extra I'd pay for good customer support, but for a high-end product I can see the sense in paying a little bit extra if it's backed up with good support.

Oh - and good point with CashRewards. I keep forgetting that I can use CR for AliExpress!

Fortunately I've only had one incorrect order after a good 100~ orders on AE, they sent me the wrong model of sunglasses.
I went back and forth with the vendor which went as you can imagine, escalated to AE and they gave me all my money back and I got to keep the sunglasses.

I bought a Magene PES from there as it was cheaper than doing so from AliExpress (particularly considering that AliExpress has 10% GST added on top for Australia whereas Panda Podium does not).

Transaction was easy and postage was quick - about 2 weeks to regional Australia.

I just checked the price of my magene p325 cs dual pm and it came out to $663.66 aud including gst+shipping, panda came out to $480 usd which is $755 aud, I guess I bought it when it was on sale? Right now AE is expensive since they have their 11/11 sale coming up so they jacked up all the prices.
Keep in mind in Australia we have cashrewards that has 4.5% cashback on aliexpress so i got $29.8647 back so the true cost was 633.7953

Went looking myself, not a lot to find.

Tempted by https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004436474128.html trust Cheji as a brand (more than NeoPro), have a few pieces of their kit, prices looks good for the next couple of days (Cheji pricing fluctuates wildly), just not sold on the design.

For me it is $86 which isn't expensive for a skinsuit but at the same time I can get a neopro one for $80 on sale and it is a tried and true product 
I'd be tempted if the designs weren't so bad tbh.

I like these little hand pumps that have the hose that screws onto the valve. have them on all my bikes. Seen them with different branding but I have these ones:

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mshOo0a

Man, I have one of these and it is so fking bad, the hose leaks air, I had to chuck it out.

Honestly for alloy wheels you're better off on the used market since people buy carbon wheelset and then get rid of their stock aluminum.
On the road i've picked up secondhand fulcrum racing 5's with 11s shimano cassette + tyre for $100 aud.