Bad Experience of AliExpress "Fast Refund"/'bonus' Scheme - Any Ideas?

drillvoice on 18/07/2024 - 08:00
Last edited 18/07/2024 - 10:15

Posting this partly for advice and partly as a warning to others —

Bought something on AliExpress for about $250. Shortly afterwards I decided it was a bad idea and cancelled the order. I was offered a refund to PayPal (original payment method) or "Fast Refund" to AliExpress credit, which they said would entail bonus dollars for a total value of $275, plus I'd get it straightaway and not have to wait for the money to come back through PP. Because I planned to make another purchase I went with the second option — but then the credit value was exactly what I'd originally paid. If you select the 'fast refund' option it does say you can't change your mind, which I can understane

I messaged them through the app and the first person said they would be able to help me out and she would escalate it. I provided bank details including SWIFT code, etc, and presumed maybe they would refund via bank transfer. But later I got an email saying they wouldn't do a refund because I'd chosen the fast refund option and they don't allow withdrawals.

I've replied to that email but unless they now come to the party I don't think I'm going to get any further negotiating with AE. In good news, I paid with PayPal, using a credit card. So I could try a PayPal dispute &/or credit card charge back.

Any advice?

Let this be a warning — fast refund seems a scam in that you don't get any claimed bonus, and a regular refund through PayPal is very fast anyway.

Poll Options

  • 8
    Dispute through PayPal
  • 0
    Credit card chargeback
  • 0
    ¿Porque no los dos?
  • 2
    Bikies
  • 10
    Suck it up sunshine
General Discussion

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Comments

  • Muzeeb on 18/07/2024 - 08:26
    +5

    I'm confused. You were offered a store credit, which you accepted, now you are attempting to cash out the store credit to an Australian bank account?

    • drillvoice on 18/07/2024 - 08:36
      -7

      I was offered a bonus store credit, which I accepted. I didn't get the bonus; I did get a credit amount equivalent to what I'd originally spent. I now want the refund to be issue, instead, to my card. But AE has expressed it as a withdrawal of the credit, which isn't how I see it.

      • Muzeeb on 18/07/2024 - 08:49

        So the $250 is sitting in your 'bonus' account?

        If it is, then the terms and conditions clearly state that this can't be transferred to other financial institutions.

        which isn't how I see it.

        It's how the terms and conditions you agreed to see it though.

        Any advice?

        You agreed to something that you didn't understand.

        Please add a poll option that reflects that.

        • JimmyF on 18/07/2024 - 09:31
          -1

          You agreed to something that you didn't understand.

          Yep….OP seems to like clicking buttons to buy/refund without understanding what happens.

  • Rukiata on 18/07/2024 - 08:45
    +1

    you will get banned and they will use the chat against u asking for credit. if you try open a case. gl

  • djevoultion on 18/07/2024 - 08:48
    +4

    OP, use the credit and move on.

    • drillvoice on 18/07/2024 - 08:59

      Thank you, I should at least consider this option.

      • Muzeeb on 18/07/2024 - 09:01
        +3

        That option is the only purpose of "fast refund". There is nothing else to consider.

  • skid on 18/07/2024 - 09:18
    +2

    I would ask where the bonus $25 is. Do you still have the original chat transcript?

    • Muzeeb on 18/07/2024 - 09:19
      +1

      It might auto apply at checkout when using bonus dollars.

    • drillvoice on 18/07/2024 - 09:25

      the bonus was offered at the refund stage, not in a chat - but yes I think this is a key thing. I think if they had included the bonus, then I'd be on weaker ground and feel much less justified.

  • JimmyF on 18/07/2024 - 09:29
    -1

    Shortly afterwards I decided it was a bad idea and cancelled the order

    So you asked for a change of mind return after your purchase?

    But later I got an email saying they wouldn't do a refund because I'd chosen the fast refund option and they don't allow withdrawals.

    So a change of mind on the change of mind return credit, you're lucky you got a store credit for a change of mind, you have zero chance of getting this cashed out now.

    Any advice?

    Make up your mind before you click the buttons. I'm seeing a pattern.

  • ldd-mn on 18/07/2024 - 09:37
    +2

    Should have just got the refund through PayPal instead lol

  • BigBirdy on 18/07/2024 - 10:21
    +2

    Make sure you haven’t got the bonus dollars in a different format, such as a $25 store coupon, or some other form of credit most likely tied into a spending condition.

  • jv on 18/07/2024 - 11:01

    Next time, choose the "Slow Refund" option.

  • c64 on 18/07/2024 - 16:01

    were the bonus dollars refunded in AUD? i think you can only use them when you make a purchase in AUD and Aliexpress's conversion rates are not good (they've factored in about a 3% currency conversion fee)

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