DHL shipping, minimum order amounts and bank transfer-only payments are always the deal-killers on Alibaba. That and the widespread, blatant misrepresentation of the products sold there. I've found items on Alibaba that were nothing but pictures of competitors' items, with sales reps using them to fish for orders. "If you buy it, we'll build something like it and send it to you." Uh huh.
If you are only looking for a few items, it rarely makes sense going the Alibaba route. Now, if you are US-based, expect to pay Trump 25% extra as well. All for an item you'll never return due to the shipping costs, even if they offer returns. Don't spend any money there you don't expect to lose, and you won't be disappointed.