Need Help Dealing with A Dishonest Seller on AliExpress

DoctorCalculon on 08/12/2020 - 02:18
Last edited 08/12/2020 - 02:20

TL;DR: Seller used the cheapest shipping option to save themselves some money, and didn't even bother informing the buyer (myself) before shipping the items (separately).

Hey guys,

On Black Friday, I ordered two Xiaomi AX3600 WiFi6 routers, following the good advice of a fellow OzBargainer below:
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/9110950/redir

I used the same seller, since leznix didn't have any issues with them at the time. I also used EMS as the shipping channel. I needed the items before Christmas, and also it offers tracking unlike the el-cheapo AliExpress Standard shipping channel.

Here is the item page: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001033923816.html

I paid using PayPal, otherwise I would not bother with anything over $100 AUD on AliExpress.

Here is the totally unexpected part. When I received the shipping notification on the app, I had a quick look to make sure everything was in order.
To my abject horror, I read that the seller shipped the items in two separate parcels using AliExpress Standard. 🤬

I reached out to the seller immediately, and asked them to recall the parcels (if possible) and ship them using EMS as a single package, which is what I paid for ($36.15 USD).
Seller refused stating they don't support EMS or DHL. This was a complete lie as there are recent reviews from other buyers which received their shipments via EMS or DHL. Furthermore, you can still select those shipping options via their product page linked above.

I received more lies when I quizzed them on why they were shipping the two items separately. If I wanted them shipped separately I could have placed two separate orders using AliExpress Standard (that is if all I cared about was saving money at the expense of jeopardising timely delivery). So, the seller saved an additional = (16.93 - 2 x 6.75) = USD $3.43 at my expense.

Once I realised they won't ship the items using EMS, I just asked them to refund the shipping difference back to my PayPal account, which worked out to be $36.15 - 2 x $6.75 = $22.65 USD.

They refused to do so asking me to wait until delivery. The only problem is I have no idea how many months I have to wait for the two deliveries, or if they will actually get here.
It has been over a week since the items were allegedly shipped, but I cannot see any tracking information since the seller deliberately and maliciously used the wrong shipping method.

QUESTIONS: (for the experienced AliExpress shoppers)

  1. At the moment the [Open Dispute] button is still disabled. So, would it be prudent to wait until it is available? Is there any harm in raising a PayPal dispute since I went through PayPal?

  2. Is there any risk in using PayPal dispute resolution over AliExpress if one or all of the parcels do not arrive by end of January next year?

Thanks in advance for any helpful suggestions.

General Discussion

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Comments

  • franco cozzo on 08/12/2020 - 05:52
    +2

    …having an issue with an aliexpress seller who has tried to gouge more money from me for additional shipping costs after the order and the item is now past delivery date. interested to see how you proceed… ive raised a dispute via aliexpress and i'll see if i escalate to paypal based on their response

  • dmbminaret on 08/12/2020 - 07:40
    +1

    https://sale.aliexpress.com/__pc/v8Yr8f629D.htm?spm=a2g0o.de…

    Wait for delivery and invoke money back guarantee if not happy with delivery time or product. You could try ordering another one to get faster delivery from a different seller or bangood, etc. while you wait.

    For anything over ~$30, I look for a seller that offers free returns. With that, you just get a connote to a sydney warehouse and refund as soon as they receive it.

    • DoctorCalculon on 08/12/2020 - 10:19

      Wait for delivery and invoke money back guarantee if not happy with delivery time or product.

      I will give it a go, but I am doubtful since RandomFox and other shoppers have had no luck.

      get faster delivery from a different seller

      That was one of the reasons I went with this seller as they supported EMS and DHL which offer faster delivery with tracking. Well, it turns out it was just a way to scam more money from the unsuspecting buyer.

      Most of the other sellers were upfront, and didn't offer any other shipping options other than the dodgy un-trackable AliExpress Standard.

      bangood

      I just checked out the banggood website. It looks to be a clone of AliExpress.

      For anything over ~$30, I look for a seller that offers free returns

      Not always possible with every item. Since I paid with PayPal, I should be covered for return shipping if the products are faulty or not as described.
      I really don't like returns as it means I did not do my research prior to my purchase.

  • RandomFox on 08/12/2020 - 08:40

    Had the same happen to me.. ordered epacket shipping method for something like $6 and they had the slowest shipping method that would take at least 2-3 weeks longer for $7, they shipped with the slowest method and made the excuse to not refund that the other method "cost more". It was a very small $40 item. Then the item never arrived after many months then Aliexpress sided with seller because they "say" it's delivered when it only entered the country. Months later it still never arrived, good ol Aliexpress.

    • DoctorCalculon on 08/12/2020 - 10:08

      Hey RandomFox!

      Sorry to hear you had such an awful experience as well. Did they ask you to prove that it did not arrive? :eyeroll:
      I am guessing PayPal support wasn't available at the time. I certainly hope PayPal will outright dismiss such non-sense from these sellers.

      • RandomFox on 09/12/2020 - 02:01

        I didn't bother it isn't the first time Aliexpress support lied to my face. I suspect if PayPal refunds the payment ali will treat it the same way they treat bank charge back with a ban hammer I may be wrong

  • netjock on 08/12/2020 - 10:46
    +1

    Raise a dispute when the button comes up. First port of call. Understand the frustration.

  • Willco88 on 09/12/2020 - 02:20

    I'm still waiting for my order to come from AliExpress mi global store, left HK 4 weeks ago, no updates since then but meant to arrive by Xmas….

    • DoctorCalculon on 09/12/2020 - 02:35

      Which shipping channel was used? If it is AliExpress Standard, you can forget delivery before Xmas. All you can do is pray that your package doesn't get lost, and you having to deal with the AE monkeys who will most likely side with the seller.

      • Willco88 on 09/12/2020 - 02:37

        Looks like standard with a very vague tracking method

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