How to get money back for a product from AliExpress that you didn’t like

Many people have questions in a situation when it is necessary to return a product to the seller, which, say, turned out to be defective, or the buyer simply did not like, in size, color, did not fit in dimensions, etc. Decent sellers do not violate the “Consumer Rights Protection Law”, or, based on the law, refuse the buyer (legally), or satisfy the consumer’s demands without waiting for the case to go to court. But we wrote a lot about returning a product when it was purchased in the classic way, that is, you came to the store and bought something yourself but then decided to return it, and today we will look at how to return a product purchased remotely.

When can you return money for goods from AliExpress?

In short, always.
The item arrived in the wrong color or size, looks completely different from the picture, does not work or is damaged, turns out to be a counterfeit of a well-known brand - you can get your money back. AliExpress works like a regular trading platform, so you can get your money back, even if you just don’t like the product. But depending on the situation, you will have to put a different amount of effort into this, and in some cases, pay a little extra.

AliExpress has two refund options.

Partial or full refund without sending the item back

AliExpress itself recommends applying for a full refund if the goods have not arrived at all. A partial refund is provided for cases where the amount of your claims is less than the cost of the goods. For example, you ordered a white T-shirt, but a blue one arrived. You are ready to wear blue, but a residue remains. And you ask for a refund, for example 50% of the cost, to compensate for the inconvenience.

You specify the amount of compensation yourself, so you can claim 1–100% of the cost for a partial refund.

The final figure will be the result of negotiations with the seller. If you don’t agree, the AliExpress administration will join the conversation and make a final verdict. It is important not to be impudent and indicate an amount comparable to the problem. If the fitness bracelet does not work, your intention to return the entire cost of the product will be clear. But for a small hole in a T-shirt that can be repaired with two stitches, you can ask for less.

Return of goods and money

You send the item back to the seller and add the track number to the dispute. When the seller receives the package, you will be refunded. This method is more troublesome, and the effort is not always justified.

But if you bought a really expensive item, sometimes it's better to send it back and get a refund than to claim a partial refund and risk being wrong in a dispute. And this is the only way out if everything is fine with the product, but you don’t like it.

Postage costs can be calculated on the Russian Post website.

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What are the dangers of clients you refuse?

The irony is that it may not be possible to refuse a buyer without consequences. The natural reaction to rejection is negativity. And nowadays it’s common to share negativity with everyone. Well, or act in some other way. So what can a customer upset about a refusal do?

1. He will cease to be your client and will no longer buy. Perhaps this is the most painless option. Yes, losing regular loyal customers is always unpleasant. But there are times when there is no other way.
2. The buyer will write negative reviews. Now this is more difficult. Any negativity is bad. But only if you don’t know how to work with it correctly. First, consider a bad review a free consultation regarding shortcomings in your work. A dissatisfied client will cut the truth and, quite possibly, will reveal the weaknesses of your business. Secondly, negative reviews can be used to your advantage. We have already written about this in our article.
3. The client will complain where he should. Especially if he thinks that his rights have been violated somewhere. Believe me: he will not delve into the intricacies of the law and will immediately file a complaint against you. Let the regulatory authorities sort it out. The addressee may be the tax office, Rospotrebnadzor, Roskachestvo - thousands of them. You don't need any extra attention from these structures at all. Even if nothing is revealed, hassle is guaranteed.

How to choose a return method

Here you will have to make a decision and calculate the costs yourself. But for inexpensive parcels with defects, as a rule, it is more profitable to issue only a refund without sending the goods.

Let's say you ordered a blouse according to the seller's size chart, but the item turned out to be too small for you. Its price is 800 rubles, weight is 350 grams. Sending it to China from St. Petersburg costs approximately 540 rubles. So you will win only 260 rubles. It is much more profitable to request a refund, for example, 90% of the cost of a blouse - 720 rubles, and then resell the item or give it away.

How to issue a refund

Do not rush to confirm receipt of the parcel

Technically, you have 15 days to open a dispute after you have confirmed receipt of the package. Sellers are much more accommodating if the order is marked as undelivered, as this affects the statistics.

Collect evidence

Be prepared for a possible dispute with the seller as soon as you receive the parcel. Be sure to film the unboxing. Show the camera the sticker with the track code on the package, the integrity of the packaging, and then open it. This will prove that the parcel is incomplete or has obvious defects.

Also use photos and screenshots of correspondence with the seller. If before ordering trousers you asked a consultant for advice, sent him measurements, a photo of your figure and average fluctuations in your weight, this will help prove the seller’s guilt in choosing the wrong size. If the description of the case states that it fits your laptop, but barely fits on your smartphone, take a photo of the purchase and the laptop itself.

When you can prove your dissatisfaction with evidence, the AliExpress administration usually takes your side.

Write to the seller

The required button is right on the order card.

This is not necessary; you can communicate even if the dispute is already open. But if the store has a high rating, you can try it. Typically, sellers with a good reputation try to meet the client’s needs and can immediately return the money, pay for the elimination of minor defects, or send the same item without defects.

Make sentences as simple as possible. Not all sellers speak foreign languages ​​and use special services to translate complaints into Chinese.

Open a dispute

The corresponding button is available in the order card, both confirmed and not yet delivered.

Choose what you are interested in - only a refund or a return of goods and money.

In the first case, indicate whether the goods have arrived or not, and the amount you are applying for. If you are not satisfied with something about the product you received, you have a better chance of winning a partial refund. Leave the seller a small amount, and he will be more accommodating.

Describe the problems you encountered in free form. Directly focus on the AliExpress administration. Upload photos and videos.

If you choose to return the item, please indicate why. Otherwise everything is the same. Only you still have to send the goods to the seller and indicate the track code.

Follow the progress of the dispute

The seller is given five days to respond. If you do not agree, the site administration will get involved. For details, select “My Orders” from the drop-down menu in the upper right corner, then “Returns and Disputes” from the menu on the left. Details in the product card.

Sometimes the seller immediately accepts your terms. But when it comes to a full or partial return without sending the goods back, he begins to get cunning. Here are popular schemes:

1. The seller persuades you to close the dispute and resolve the issue amicably. Do not do this, as he may delay in responding and all deadlines will expire. Close the dispute only if the money has already been credited to the card.
2. The seller asks to return the goods. In your correspondence, express your readiness to send the parcel, but at the expense of the merchant, because it is he who is to blame for what happened. Most likely, you will be graciously allowed to keep the package with you.
3. The seller bargains and tries to reduce the amount of compensation. If you are satisfied with his offer, you can agree. Or stand your ground.

Be polite, don't get personal, use facts - AliExpress moderators will take this into account when making a decision. The result of the dispute will be published there.

Less popular receipt scanning apps

The ranking presents the most popular cashback services. But there are also less common, but competitive offers:

These are the most interesting applications for receiving cashback from checks, which are gradually gaining the attention of users.

When will the money be returned?

Usually the money arrives on your card quite quickly. AliExpress itself states a period of 3–20 business days. The dispute is over and has not received a refund by credit card. When returning goods, count this period from the moment the seller receives the parcel.

If the money is not returned, take a stamped statement from the bank, mark on it the transfer you used to pay for the goods, and contact AliExpress customer service.

5 tips on how to return VAT using the tax-free system

Whatever country you are traveling to, follow our simple tips:

1. Before your trip, check the minimum purchase amount for a VAT refund.
2. Carry your passport with you and try to choose stores with the Tax Free logo.
3. Do not remove or use purchased items on which you want a tax refund. Keep the envelope with the receipt and tax free form.
4. Find out where the customs check point for Tax Free purchases and the office of the desired operator are located at the airport.
5. Arrive at the airport 4 hours before departure to be on time.

Happy shopping!

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What to remember

1. Don't be afraid to order on AliExpress. A bad purchase does not mean you will lose money. The platform insures you against unscrupulous sellers and often takes your side.
2. Choose a product on AliExpress more carefully, read reviews and correspond with the seller so as not to miss the order. Adequately evaluate the price-quality ratio. If you are responsible for an unsuccessful order, you will have to send the goods back, and this is expensive.
3. Take a video of the unpacking of the parcel. Support your claims for a dispute with the seller with photographs and screenshots.
4. Keep an eye on the deadlines within which you can open a dispute. This is the best way to solve your problems. But if the deadline has passed, do not lose hope and write to the support service.

Cashback transfer algorithm

Each receipt has an encrypted QR code. It needs to be scanned. But a regular scanner in smartphones will not work for this. To recognize the code, you need a special application to receive cashback from checks.

To receive a portion of the money spent on a purchase through the application:

1. Pay for the product from a partner or based on other conditions for crediting cashback and receive a receipt.
2. Download and activate the app to receive cashback. Log in to your personal account.
3. Scan the code. Using this code, the application reads the list of goods, the amount paid and calculates for which purchases and in what amount cashback will be awarded.
4. Wait for the money to be credited and withdraw it from the application.

To withdraw money, services offer several main methods: to a bank card, personal mobile phone account or online wallet. If only output to a card is suitable, select an application that supports this option. The most common withdrawal method is through a mobile phone bill.