I have purchased more than 100 $1.79 to $1.99 small items, where you pick 3 and get free shipping. Every time I end up purchasing 9 or 10 items in the order. (10 items max per order) Total was always less than $20.00. Probably around 70 are bike parts or bike tools. Most of the other items are general tools, hydration pouches, lights, drysacks, gloves, arm warmers, padded bicycle undershorts. A few cost up to $4.99, but most cost me $1.79. I can state that perhaps 5 are poor quality garbage items, but overall I have been very impressed with the quality and functionality of these inexpensive items.
I've played out and purchased about every item that I have interest in. I keep looking for that next item I can't live without.
I live in Montana, and shipping to me takes 14 to 22 days. (Most of the time, orders take 7 to 16 days to get to me once the order is through customs - Most of the time it takes 4-5 days from China to US Customs. (USPS is slow and sucks!)
The one perk I'm noticing being in California is that most my AliEx packages are being delivered via private courier now. Very few packages are now being delivered through USPS.
BTW - I don't know how I've been mounting my tires without this, but I did pick up a tire lever tool for $1.99 and holy s**t, I can easily mount any and all tires without much effort! Probably the best $1.99 I've spent! Lol