ebow3d

Just a little heads up for those who shop on Aliexpress. I have bought more than a hundred items on Aliexpress over the last couple of years. However, I live in Hong Kong and currently China is not very impressed with Hong Kong.

All of a sudden nobody can ship the products that I have paid for to Hong Kong. Of course neither can they refund my money. I have opened disputes on their website, contacted their customer service countless times, but every time only get the assurance that my money "is safe" with them. Five months later, no refund on any item yet. Every seller suddenly need my PayPal account, even-though Aliexpress does not allow PayPal.

FWIW, I have had two China sellers on eBay try the same thing, however a simple threat to report them to eBay made both of them cough up quickly.

Both Aliexpress and eBay offer buyer protection, but it seems only eBay actually follows through.

I understand that this is obviously a result of our current political situation, and that the US is probably too big a market for them want to do the same with. But I just want let people know the risks of buying on Aliexpress.

KraneXL

Thank for the heads up. I was thinking of starting a clothing line with them but now I see that idea needs further investigation. I've always look at Aliexpress with an eye of caution and now I see my suspicions were not unfounded.

CliffordK

Please choose ONE subforum to post your note.

I'm sorry to hear about your woes.

It is rare that I hit Alibaba, although that may give you a little more freedom to deal with vendors (who often like bulk orders, but do sell singles for large items.

Also, I hit AliExpress on occasion. They have a unique Escrow system that should refund your money in the case of a dispute, but so far I haven't needed to try that so I don't know how well it works. The items generally arrive, although not always high quality, or even with any instructions.

I've got a couple of small computer parts I'm waiting for from China. The tracking system seems to have changed a bit, so it is now listing "Customs Clearance in China", but then can vanish from tracking for a period before popping back up.

One of the big things that is popping up in the USA is regional warehouses. So, the item is held in a local warehouse, but the seller is actually Chinese. So, looking on E-Bay, the item appears to be in the USA (and it actually is in the USA), but the seller is in China. It has costs and benefits. Shipping is quicker, drop-shipped from within the USA. Perhaps easier to deal with things like batteries. But, quality control on the shipping gets out of the control of the seller.

A month ago I bought some AAA batteries, and AA arrived instead. I've placed a new order through a different vendor (but listing the same shipping origin). I'm still hoping to get my AAA batts.

Anyway, perhaps you'll see more shipping alternatives appearing between Hong Kong and China in the future.

Is it possible to track down the manufacturer for the order? Perhaps on large orders?

Have you tried ordering through Taiwan? Singapore?

3speedslow

Veiled political jab at China. Take it to P&R.

ebow3d

I stay out of politics. I just find it strange that after seven years experience on Aliexpress, suddenly I have five items that the sellers tell me they cannot ship to me, and they cannot refund to an international credit card. I have had refunds in the past from Aliexpress sellers. As far as Aliexpress customer service is concerned, well, apparently my money is safe with them - just not in my account!

top506

Veiled, but perhaps deserved.
They're not screwing with the person's politics, they're screwing with his money.

Top

CliffordK

China stops couriers from shipping STICKS & black clothing to Hong Kong amid protests

So, there are no sticks in Hong Kong, and people are forced to buy sticks on Alibaba?

No black for funerals?

Now, the umbrella ban? I can imagine the dangers.


I wonder if there is some confusion about what is allowed, and what is banned, but if you're not buying anything that China considers as part of the protest, it should eventually get through, albeit potentially delayed.

Is your money in escrow, and available to be used on the next purchase?

nlerner

I'm not seeing the C&V angle here.

timtak

I buy a lot on Aliexpress. Aliexpress has refunded me, but on two of the three occasions only for half the amount.

The products in question may be worth the other half and I have saved far more on all the various cycling related products that I have purchased there.

cudak888 

Parts. I have three ongoing restomod projects that have wound up requiring bits through AliExpress, as the other Usual Suspects didn't have them; e.g., a matching pair of Shimano BL-C6000 Nexus brake levers without a RH integrated shifter.

-Kurt

cb400bill

I hope your parts are not counterfeit. https://www.bicycling.com/news/a2989...rfeit-lawsuit/

KraneXL

As you can see, sometimes the politics come to you. Considering the political climate between China and the U.S. at the moment, I get the impression this is a lot bigger than just you. Its effecting a lot of people and a lot of commerce.

cudak888 

If they are, they're grey market from the factory that makes the real thing, and not knock-offs. They were priced along the lines of what you'd expect for Shimano equipment and IIRC were drop-shipped by a Japanese supplier. Quality is as you'd expect - excellent.

The protective plastic also has the infamous notice to use a power modulator on V-brakes (the red insert is removable, allowing for either/or use). Shimano would do that; a Chinese manufacturer might bypass that warning (as evidenced by every e-bike share company who wound up with Nexus front roller brakes mated to Bafang motors without inline Shimano modulators).




-Kurt

3speedslow

+1

ebow3d

I don't mind if they can't/won't ship the item that I just paid for. I do mind that they refuse to give back my money!

When the same thing happened on eBay (more than once) I got my money back, but not on Aliexpress.

ebow3d

I, and many other cyclists, often buy bike parts on Aliexpress.
Btw, not all product there are knock-offs. I personally hate fake/kock-off products.

CliffordK

Do you get a credit for making other purchases? Or is the money just locked up in limbo?

It sounds mighty aggravating as reunification of Hong Kong/China happened 20 years ago, although it apparently has maintaned a special status.

ebow3d

Well, there is a "one country, two systems" agreement until 2047. This gives Hong Kong its own judicial and economic system, while military is handled by the PRC.

Anyway, that has nothing to do with my gripes on Aliexpress. I just wanted to make people aware of the risks of buying on Aliexpress. Mostly safe, but if/when they want, you lose.

RobbieTunes

Somewhere in China, a man sits at a PC, posting items for sale.

Wife: "But honey, you don't have any of those things for sale."
Husband: "That's OK, I'm in China."

cudak888 

Say what you want about AliExpress not being worthy of C&V, but I think I've just found a perfect crank for my 1980 Raleigh Sports restomod there...



Nothing like a blacked out Nuovo Record knockoff.

-Kurt

rootboy 

Caught up in the rift. It's unfortunate.
At least you're not a Uyghur.