AliExpress Seller is Asking for Extra Shipping Fee

nige0090 on 20/03/2023 - 18:12

Hi all,

I bought 6 items from AliExpress on 09 Mar.
I expect 5 items to be delivered shortly.

Today 20/03, I noticed that on 09/03 I was send a message in the AliExpress Message Centre
"We have checked your order , The shipping company told us that your address belongs to the remote area that need to add $3 for shipping fee , otherwise it will not be shipped , Is it ok for you ?
if it's ok , you can pay $1 * 3 by the link (we will give you that link when you contact us in next time and we will also tell you how to do that).
If not ok , please cancel this order, and choose the reason with "I don't want this item" or "other reasons", So that we will make you a full refund asap. "

The item status is "Arrived at departure transport hub", with estimated deliver date 13 May.
I don't want to pay the extra $3 shipping (I'm in lower north shore Sydney, not remote).

Should I cancel the order with "I don't want this item" or "other reasons" as requested? Any risk for me with this? i.e. could they not refund me?
Should I wait and see if the item status changes and raise item not received dispute on 14 May?

Thanks

Financial

Related Stores

AliExpress
AliExpress
Marketplace

Comments

  • Ocker on 20/03/2023 - 18:24
    +6

    Don't let the seller off the hook by saying you have changed your mind. They have obviously screwed up and should be penalised.

  • scrimshaw on 20/03/2023 - 18:25
    +8

    https://www.reddit.com/r/Aliexpress/comments/j2ioen/how_to_e…
    https://www.reddit.com/r/Aliexpress/comments/w6s6t9/seller_a…

    Usually it's a scam or a trick to get you to pay more, although $3 is a pretty small amount. I personally wouldn't send any money since it's the seller's responsibility to make sure their shipping fees are charged correctly. Open a dispute if the tracking doesn't show any updates or if you don't receive your item within the estimated delivery date.

    Their account is penalized if they fail to deliver your items. If they cancel on you they are also penalized.

    Do not cancel on your end, because you will be penalized instead for something that is not your fault. You actually have a hidden score that you can't see, any cancellations you make counts against you. See

    • nige0090 on 20/03/2023 - 18:42

      Thanks, I felt it was odd asking me to cancel (i.e. take the blame) rather than cancel from their side

  • harshbdmmaster718 on 20/03/2023 - 18:33

    It's been awhile (about a year) since I shopped on Ali, but being careful always had a good experience and good standing with reputable sellers. I always just interacted with the website itself and never had to do any "negotiating" or pay extra after ordering.

    I have to say DO NOT communicate directly with sellers via the messaging centre. I already knew better than to do so, but have heard from others shoppers that bad sellers can trick/guilt you into doing things that put you at a disadvantage if you have any problems with your order.

    First time I am hearing of this "scam" but it is entirely possible that the individual contacting you is another person who is requesting money for themselves and it has nothing to do with your order or it's just a terrible seller that figured out they could get extra because so many users paid out.
    Hopefully you chose your sellers wisely, but if there is any issue with your items not arriving as a comment says above use the dispute process (clicking through the webpage) you do not have to communicate with sellers at all.

  • Nutrino on 20/03/2023 - 19:13
    +1

    Whats the total price of the purchase?

    • xuqi on 20/03/2023 - 22:56

      OP must have purchased below, used the $9.79 couple which threw the seller's profit # out.

      https://i.redd.it/gzkrpu2mzoma1.jpg
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3zvINazMXg

    • nige0090 on 21/03/2023 - 10:27

      $US4.41

      • xuqi on 21/03/2023 - 10:38

        So they're attempting to extort another $3 from you (via some external method) on a $4.41 order?

        Given the wording it's a tactic they use often to get extra $ out of buyer/s.

        Suggest leaving them to cancel, or not ship the item should they choose, but also deal with the consequences on their account.

        I wouldn't reply at all, and should the sale fall through due to their inaction, raise an issue (not received, etc.) with the sales platform support.

        • nige0090 on 21/03/2023 - 21:10

          Yes, I will do this.
          I'll raise an item not received dispute if I have not received it by the expected delivery date of 13 May, still ages to wait :-(
          Thanks for advice

  • MeesusEff on 21/03/2023 - 18:38

    The last time this happened to me when I ordered a pair of kids socks (About $1) and they were asking for another $1+ in postage sending me another link to pay. I just replied, cancel my order, and they said PLEASE. After ignoring that message, they just sent it anyway lol

    just cancel it and rebuy from somewhere else

    • harshbdmmaster718 on 21/03/2023 - 19:15

      I just replied, cancel my order, and they said PLEASE.

      This is typical behaviour. Assuming you chose to buy from a seller with good feedback, you probably could have just ignored the message and they would have sent it anyway otherwise they would get bad feedback/rankings.

      Other examples of this behaviour when there is any issue with your order (you got something else, what you got was not as described) is they offer you "Please accept $3USD refund" via message. If you ignore it, they say "dear please accept $5USD refund", then "$7USD". Which is way less than what you would get if you just dispute.

      Once you start a dispute straight away, some will even contact you with a "Please close the dispute on your end, I will offer you a $5USD refund". Just ignore and don't interact. They can manipulate those who are less experienced so they always try to bait you in messages.

      • MeesusEff on 21/03/2023 - 21:38

        I find aliexpress pretty good with disputes, I never interact with the seller directly. Just got refunded a tablet battery that came bent.

  • nige0090 on 04/04/2023 - 22:13

    As advised, I ignored the sellers message and was waiting for the expected delivery date….
    Today, the item arrived.
    So all good.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join