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

  • 9
    Dispute through PayPal
  • 1
    Credit card chargeback
  • 1
    ¿Porque no los dos?
  • 3
    Bikies
  • 12
    Suck it up sunshine
General Discussion

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Comments

  • MS Paint 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.

      • MS Paint 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.

      • MS Paint 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?

    • MS Paint 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)

  • EvilResident1 on 25/08/2024 - 21:48

    Aliexpress is a total scam, bought a projector, was sent a dummy cam. Still working to get my money back. Won't every buy from any China site again.
    Stay away, not really a saving when you never get the product you pay for.

  • u u on 31/08/2024 - 13:55

    You are complicating the issue by asking for a refund to your bank account when the real issue is you didnt get the bonus you supposedly were supposed to get. Contact aliexpress about THAT. cause youre just gonna get banned if you do a credit card/paypal chargeback. because you will say to your credit card company/paypal you didnt get your $250 back and aliexpress will show your $250 is in your account as store credit exactly where you told them to put it.

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