Just need some help suggestions on what I should do in this situation.
Earlier on Singles day 11th Nov, I ordered a phone off Aliexpress. I paid via debit card. It got shipped out and made it to Australia where some Australia Post employee cut it open and stole it. (You can tell the plastic has been cut nicely and not been ripped or caught on machinery). Australia Post then delivers the empty packaging to me with a "arrived in this condition" sticker on it, Postal employee even said it's likely someone stole it. So I filled a complaint at Australia Post. I have photos of the packaging and complaint forms but nothing I haven't filled out or any sort of documentation from Australia Post themselves (most likely so they can't say they did nothing wrong).
I tried to open a dispute saying I hadn't received my item on Aliexpress but so many people who haven't purchased from China before have most likely complained way too early that they put a timer on disputes for any claims where the person hasn't received their items. That count down timer came to the day and I tried to put in my dispute but it still wouldn't let me proceed so I was forced to put in my claim saying I had received it but I choose that I was missing my item. They have no option for my item was stolen in the mail apparently.
The seller asked me to video my packaging and any documents related so I did, and they put video evidence of how much the phone weighs and shipping information paperwork saying they shipped it out which I believe. I refused their offer of no return and no refund offer and we put it through to Aliexpress CS to decided and they have for the time being sided with Aliexpress.
I was wondering is there anything else I can do at this point? It seems unlikely that the seller will refund me or ship another item at this point.
Should I go to the police to file a theft report so I have something more substantial? It seems like if you could get Australia Post to pay you for lost items the max they pay out unless you have insurance is $50, which they will pay out only to the seller so that seems pointless.
Despite Aliexpress's buyer guarantee that the buyer gets their item or their money back, it seems more like if the seller can prove they shipped it out that's all we care about.
I would recommend staying away from Aliexpress for big item purchases.
Don’t buy things on debit card. A chargeback on credit card for goods not received would have otherwise been a good option.