I’m unaware of any public sales site that requires login just to view an item page. You can still visit the home page and I’ve used old links to do item searches without logging in, but I’ve found no way to open an item page without signing in and using the search box requires sign-in as well.
I just visited AliExpress and tried browsing some of the listings for 18650 flashlights.
No problems here. I was able to click on listings and go to the listings. Within each listing I was able to click on the pictures to see enlarged versions of each one.
I was not logged in.
As far as I can tell AliExpress seems unchanged. No login is required to view listings.
I haven't noticed what you say, and don't know how do you get these new style “item” links (I've debloated that one). However, since a few weeks ago the site keeps me asking for verification, at least a couple times each time I browse the site on average. It always asks me to verify after issuing a local search in a store briefly after logging in.
Overall, AliExpress is very browsing feature controlled and annoying, plus the search engine is a turd even if it works. Those who design and rule AE need a very serious kick in their arses. Seriously.
I was able to view the Convoy site too, after searching for it on Google and clicking the link. Once I’m on the page, I can get to individual items by clicking on the thumbnails - but as soon as I select a category (e.g. ‘Products’ > ‘Flashlights’), I’m taken to the log in page again.
EDIT: Just tried it again, and the Google link no longer works - just takes me to the log in page again.
I went to one of Sofirn’s threads here on BLF and clicked the link to their store, which is in their sig line. It takes me there just fine. Is it possible “store” links work fine, but “product” links don’t work?
The main page of Simon’s store was bookmarked in my FireFox, until I got log-in requests and 404 pages. Very annoying. Could not stop this until I bookmarked an item further down the foodchain, like a host or LED. No more log-in requests. From there I can browse his entire store, and even perform searches across all of AE without log-in requests.
For the record: before I shut down my PC I always run CCleaner. End of day I’m always out of cookies.
Even if I use it a lot less nowadays (mainly due to O:) AnnoyExpress), eBay feels noticeably swifter to me: it keeps me logged, there's Advanced Search, the page and listings are neater… and no need to @#$% keep :facepalm: verifying.
Suggestion (to leftdisconnected) to increase the thread's audience: rename it into something suggestive like “AliExpress needs a @#$% @# $%@ #$%@”. :-D