I have used Alibaba many times, actually I use AliExpress an offshoot. Just login and register to gain access, you can then purchase single units.
As with all things internet it can be a crapshoot when buying, so I only spend enough that I can afford to loose. I have only had 1 failed product, a U18 spy cam (US20).
I have looked at the AXN and it is too dear even without freight, HK is still the best.
My FlySky 9x came through Aliexpress from a vendor called Hobby King
delivery free and in 5 days allup $92, no waiting for stock (impatience costs a little more).
Small parcels are cheap, when you get into plane size cartons the freight is more than the contents.