UPDATE- 01.07.25:Even AliExpress Admits I’m Right… But Still No RefundLatest email:“Regarding your query about the order 3053842756702620, we have verified that the evidence you provided is valid. But as you filed a chargeback, we can’t do anything.”So, to recap:They admit my proof is validThey refuse to refund meThey apologise (again)And… nothing happensBuyer Protection, AliExpress-style: You’re right, but you still get nothing.UPDATE: 30.06.25AliExpress’s latest reply: “Your order is frozen now that you’ve filed a claim with PayPal. We can’t help, please check your email for more empty apologies.”In summary: buyer protection here means “we’ll do everything possible to avoid helping you directly, but we will apologise… a lot.”My saga continues, now featuring both AliExpress and PayPal in a thrilling game of “pass the parcel.” Stay tuned!UPDATE: The “Free Return” Promise — More Slogan Than RealityWhat really stings is that AliExpress markets “Free Return” as a guarantee — it’s everywhere on their site, and it’s a huge reason buyers trust them. That’s why I did. But here’s the reality: I followed every rule, documented every step, returned my item with full proof (including tracking, signature, and even a complete evidence pack)… and yet, not only did I not get a free label, I had to pay return postage out of my own pocket. And after all that? Still no refund, and endless runaround.So for anyone tempted by those reassuring “Free Return” banners — be careful. In my experience, it was just a marketing slogan, not a real promise.One Star for AliExpress: A Masterclass in Buyer Protection… or Not.If you’re here, you probably expect AliExpress to be a global marketplace that protects its buyers. Well, buckle up — I’m about to share the real ride.I ordered a “stainless steel” stand mixer for £85.99. What arrived? A heavyweight aluminum circus without a handle, with attachments that could rival my old toaster for flimsiness. The splash guard? Left a gap wide enough to launch dough missiles. The instructions? Pure Chinese mystery, and the mixer itself bounced around like it had springs attached — dangerous to use, and utterly misleading.I followed the rules like a pro: I opened a dispute, hit the return button, and sent it back within the 10-day window AliExpress promises after your return request is accepted. I documented everything — tracking numbers, signed delivery receipts, a full PDF evidence pack hosted on a shared drive (which, by the way, only I have ever accessed). The return was received by their warehouse, with a signature and all.And then… the fun began.AliExpress’s official response was a lesson in contradiction:• Email 1: “You’re too late! Appeal closed. No refund.”• Email 2: “Appeal rejected, proof insufficient.”• Email 3: “Please send us a clear return label and tracking number.” (They already had both.)• Chat agent: “Don’t worry, we escalated your case.”• Silence for days.Did anyone actually look at my evidence? The activity logs say no.The kicker? The seller changed the entire product listing after I’d started the dispute — swapping out photos, descriptions, and basically admitting the product was not as advertised. But did AliExpress care? Nope.So here I am, stuck in a Kafkaesque loop where:• You’re supposed to trust the marketplace,• But when things go wrong, you fight for months with contradictory messages and radio silence,• All while your money stays with a seller who no longer even sells the item you ordered.Is AliExpress buyer protection real? Or just a marketing slogan?If you want a true test of your patience and proof-gathering skills, this is the place. And if you want your money back? Prepare for a long, winding ride — with no guarantees.AliExpress, thanks for the drama. But next time, I’ll remember that the “buyer protection” might actually mean “buyer endurance test.”
