What if it’s not AliExpress?
Since early 2022, many electronics manufacturers paused sales in Russia or pulled out from the market. As a result, Russians turned more often to AliExpress, yet the prices rose as the market tightened. The shift also coincided with restrictions on QIWI payments in China, making dollar purchases harder and the ruble exchange rate less favorable.
By late 2022, many began exploring a new option: a UAE marketplace called Microless.com. Enthusiasts formed private Telegram chats, started forum threads, and shared personal experiences about the site. Feedback has been largely positive, with shipping speed standing out. On average, parcels arrive in Russia in about four to seven days, which is notably quicker than deliveries from several other markets.
Why the UAE?
Sanctions pushed some suppliers to bring goods directly from the UAE, and the CIS market regulations mirror this shift. Local entrepreneurs often source equipment in Dubai and sell it at competitive prices, frequently offering items not readily available through official channels. A key factor is the UAE’s low VAT rate of 5%, which helps keep costs down.
To illustrate Microless’s pricing, consider a Mac mini M1 in its minimal configuration. Microless lists it at 58.4 thousand rubles, while Russia’s Yandex Market shows about 67 thousand rubles and Citylink around 78 thousand rubles. The Mac Studio with M1 Max, 32/512 GB, costs 179 thousand rubles in the UAE, compared with 195 thousand rubles in Russia.
For laptop buyers, the same model can yield substantial savings. A Lenovo Legion 5 15ACH6, with a 120 Hz display, Ryzen 5 5600H, RTX 3050 Ti, 8 GB RAM, and 512 GB SSD, is about 55.6 thousand rubles on Microless. By contrast, Russian listings on Yandex Market show roughly 84 thousand rubles, and Citylink lists around 100 thousand rubles.
Another example is the ASUS TUF Dash F15 FX517Z, featuring an i7-12650H, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, and RTX 3070. Microless prices it at 107 thousand rubles, while Yandex Market lists 134 thousand rubles.
Even a portable Steam Deck with 256 GB finds a favorable price in the UAE marketplace at about 45.6 thousand rubles, whereas locally it is commonly priced around 80 thousand rubles in major retailers like M.Video. The only cheaper option, often, is a resale listing without guarantees. In some Russian catalogs, the same device appears on Yandex Market in a similar price range, but the reliability of the seller can vary widely.
Comparable items on AliExpress sometimes match Microless prices, but delivery typically stretches to about three weeks, and many reviewed products are not as readily available. In the laptop category, buyers often encounter pricier, less compelling options on AliExpress.
Arabic nuances and how to avoid them
Before placing an order, it is wise to check the delivery costs, which Microless calculates on a case-by-case basis. The typical delivery fee is around 2 thousand rubles. Customs duties may apply if the total value exceeds 1000 euros.
When selecting a product, priority should be given to items sold by Microless, as this generally ensures a free one-year warranty with paid extensions option. Other sellers typically offer only a one-month warranty.
With laptops and other devices, buyers should verify that the keyboard layout does not include an Arabic print. There have been reports of misrouted shipments, where a package went to the wrong recipient, though support has often reimbursed shipping costs to the sender. If a wrong item is received, the seller typically covers the return postage. Before purchasing on the Arabic AliExpress marketplace, it is prudent to compare availability and prices with Russian stores, since not every Microless product is cheaper than local options.
Microless.com, with these caveats, presents a potential option for Russian shoppers seeking alternatives to local stores and journeys through Far East marketplaces. It can be a practical resource in today’s shifting e-commerce landscape, provided buyers stay aware of shipping, warranty terms, and potential customs considerations. Source-based consumer reports and user reviews corroborate cautious yet positive experiences with Microless for certain electronics and peripherals.