AliExpress SNAD

LadyDee

Purchased some mugs described as double-walled, insulated, thermal glass.  They aren't - they are just glass mugs.  I have raised an AliExpress SNAD which they have judged as valid.  However, I have been given two options, half my money back and keep the mugs (they are of no use to me), or return the mugs at my expense to receive refund of purchase price.   I have 3 days to decide.
Is there any reason why I shouldn't try a PP dispute and try to make use of their free postage offer for returns, or does this only apply to eBay purchases?

soolin

LadyDee said:

Purchased some mugs described as double-walled, insulated, thermal glass.  They aren't - they are just glass mugs.  I have raised an AliExpress SNAD which they have judged as valid.  However, I have been given two options, half my money back and keep the mugs (they are of no use to me), or return the mugs at my expense to receive refund of purchase price.   I have 3 days to decide.
Is there any reason why I shouldn't try a PP dispute and try to make use of their free postage offer for returns, or does this only apply to eBay purchases?

You could try PayPal but actually even without the current issue around the virus (and current services to most of the Far East are not available)  Ali sellers are not noted for accepting parcels which means you won’t ever see a refund. In all the various forums where Ali has been discussed I’ve seen barely a handful of cases where returned goods have actually arrived and been refunded. There’s also the issue of PayPal only covering a certain amount and sending glass back to China is not going to be cheap. 

Whilst is seems unfair, personally I would take the offer of a partial refund as at least you get something out of it. 

If these were over £15 with postage and you paid Import tax and handling you might need to wait for different advice on how to deal with that. 

Cuilean

LadyDee said:

I have been given two options, half my money back and keep the mugs (they are of no use to me), or return the mugs at my expense to receive refund of purchase price.   I have 3 days to decide.

Was that suggestion made by the seller or by Ali Express? I've never known them to offer anything other than full money back if the seller is found to be in the wrong, although the items I buy are admittedly low value.  Is it worth having a shot at their Live Chat and dealing with a human being? I've always found they've come down on the side of the buyer for SNAD items.

LadyDee

It was Ali Express.  I've rejected their "solution" and am back in touch with the seller.  Not being over-familiar with the way things work with AE, I wonder now whether this was what the seller is offering through the dispute process.   The seller just keeps asking me, as his "dear friend" to send him a video!   
I'll try your suggestion to use Live Chat though, thank you.  

Cuilean

I've had to use their dispute system quite a lot, and it's a long winded process which would test the patience of a saint at times! A lot of sellers will drag it out further by insisting on videos, as well as photos, just to buy themselves time.  My inner cynic says that they hope you'll get bored and the dispute will time out in their favour.  Unfortunately for them, I was raised on Monty Python and enjoy a good argument  Good luck with Live Chat.  Only once have I come across an unhelpful Live Chat person - they're generally very good, and support buyers.  

P.S. - the "dear" thing is (apparently) how Chinese businesses address their customers - 亲.  It translates as "dear", which doesn't really work for Brits.  I cannot imagine anyone in Tesco calling customers "dear" without getting a very odd look