Bank chargeback against Alibaba

MyRealNameToo

born_again said:

Your consumer rights are where the retailer is based.

Your consumer rights are based on a combination of the jurisdiction stated in the contract and the law of the land you are in however irrespective of that, enforcements of your rights does depend on where the defendant is domiciled and rights and reality dont always align. 

A fair few of these far east sellers who setup XBWH London etc state "UK" jurisdiction applies, ignoring the UK isnt a single jurisdiction the CRA etc would apply however enforcing a debt on an entity in China is exceptionally difficult and not worth the effort for the types of sums we deal with on this forum. 

Jas8

Would this be the case despite Alibaba confirm that seller is liable for return cost, the seller themselves confirming they will cover the costs but refusing to provide any label or costs, and thirdly having a confirmation from alibaba direct stating if seller does not give return label within 48 hours they will do a refund? 

Jas8

I don’t want the engine. I wanted to return it and get my refund, they have been obstructing me from returning. 

Alderbank

You don't give any dates.

When did all this happen - last week or last year?

Many legal rights are time bound. A time line would be really helpful for us, as would the T&Cs of your contract of sale for the engine including the name of the entity your contract is with and the agreed legal jurisdiction of the contract.

Edited to Add:

Is the jurisdiction Singapore? Alibaba seems to choose Singapore law quite a lot for dealing with members from overseas.

If so, the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act is very similar to European consumer rights law.
https://singaporelegaladvice.com/law-articles/lemon-law-claims-defective-items-singapore/

Jas8

I don’t want the engine, I wanted to return it. Seller has been obstructing to return it. They will not cover costs despite saying they will, they will not provide a label. Alibaba have said seller is liable for return costs, alibaba even said if seller doesn’t give return costs or label they will refund me full amount. I have this in writing. Does this hold anything ? 

Wouldn’t this be considered an attempt to return. We have provided multiple shipping quotes etc, seller will not pay it saying he will have to pay custom fees on return product. 

MyRealNameToo

Jas8 said:

I don’t want the engine, I wanted to return it. Seller has been obstructing to return it. They will not cover costs despite saying they will, they will not provide a label. Alibaba have said seller is liable for return costs, alibaba even said if seller doesn’t give return costs or label they will refund me full amount. I have this in writing. Does this hold anything ? 

Wouldn’t this be considered an attempt to return. We have provided multiple shipping quotes etc, seller will not pay it saying he will have to pay custom fees on return product. 

Not from a chargeback perspective... it's a basic tool intended to deal with basic cases and even then its not a final resolution, just shifts the party that must taken action from the buyer to the seller. 

If they were to refund you the full amount themselves why did you go the chargeback route? Things will be complicated now as clearly they won't payout if you are trying to claw back the money. 

Jas8

Alderbank said:

You don't give any dates.

When did all this happen - last week or last year?

Many legal rights are time bound. A time line would be really helpful for us, as would the T&Cs of your contract of sale for the engine including the name of the entity your contract is with and the agreed legal jurisdiction of the contract.

Edited to Add:

Is the jurisdiction Singapore? Alibaba seems to choose Singapore law quite a lot for dealing with members from overseas.

If so, the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act is very similar to European consumer rights law.
https://singaporelegaladvice.com/law-articles/lemon-law-claims-defective-items-singapore/

Engine was bought in June 2025, delivered in August 2025 end of the week - Found out damaged that week and reported it to seller been back and forward with seller. REASON why I did chargeback is despite alibaba stating one thing, despite seller saying one thing they both have acted unethically, and refusing to either bare costs or give refund. Alibaba change there mind up, I get reasons such as:

1) we can’t determine if damage was caused by you, however proven by seller chat they taken responsibility, they even said we found defects before shipping,

2) refuse to comment on the refund if seller doesn’t provide label,

3) state that they can’t pressure seller to refund or accept return item 

4) despite advertising Easy Return - which states return to local warehouse they are denying it stating not possible despite previously stating it was.

Jas8

MyRealNameToo said:

Jas8 said:

I don’t want the engine, I wanted to return it. Seller has been obstructing to return it. They will not cover costs despite saying they will, they will not provide a label. Alibaba have said seller is liable for return costs, alibaba even said if seller doesn’t give return costs or label they will refund me full amount. I have this in writing. Does this hold anything ? 

Wouldn’t this be considered an attempt to return. We have provided multiple shipping quotes etc, seller will not pay it saying he will have to pay custom fees on return product. 

Not from a chargeback perspective... it's a basic tool intended to deal with basic cases and even then its not a final resolution, just shifts the party that must taken action from the buyer to the seller. 

If they were to refund you the full amount themselves why did you go the chargeback route? Things will be complicated now as clearly they won't payout if you are trying to claw back the money. 

I went chargeback route as it’s nearly 120 days. Firstly alibaba have closed the case and refuse to help and state communicate with seller, seller is being childish and replying with emojis of crying face to every response, I question him about return and I get crying emojis, I tell him I will do chargeback if he doesn’t cooperate same thing. I had no choice. 

born_again

Jas8 said:

Alderbank said:

You don't give any dates.

When did all this happen - last week or last year?

Many legal rights are time bound. A time line would be really helpful for us, as would the T&Cs of your contract of sale for the engine including the name of the entity your contract is with and the agreed legal jurisdiction of the contract.

Edited to Add:

Is the jurisdiction Singapore? Alibaba seems to choose Singapore law quite a lot for dealing with members from overseas.

If so, the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act is very similar to European consumer rights law.
https://singaporelegaladvice.com/law-articles/lemon-law-claims-defective-items-singapore/

Engine was bought in June 2025, delivered in August 2025 end of the week - Found out damaged that week and reported it to seller been back and forward with seller. REASON why I did chargeback is despite alibaba stating one thing, despite seller saying one thing they both have acted unethically, and refusing to either bare costs or give refund. Alibaba change there mind up, I get reasons such as:

1) we can’t determine if damage was caused by you, however proven by seller chat they taken responsibility, they even said we found defects before shipping,

2) refuse to comment on the refund if seller doesn’t provide label,

3) state that they can’t pressure seller to refund or accept return item 

4) despite advertising Easy Return - which states return to local warehouse they are denying it stating not possible despite previously stating it was.

I get why you took this route. Sadly that is not a basis for a chargeback.

Chargebacks are a very blunt way of gettings funds back. Which can lead to a world of pain. 

Who is the debit on the HSBC account to?
Where does seller say any returns have to go to?

Jas8

born_again said:

Jas8 said:

Alderbank said:

You don't give any dates.

When did all this happen - last week or last year?

Many legal rights are time bound. A time line would be really helpful for us, as would the T&Cs of your contract of sale for the engine including the name of the entity your contract is with and the agreed legal jurisdiction of the contract.

Edited to Add:

Is the jurisdiction Singapore? Alibaba seems to choose Singapore law quite a lot for dealing with members from overseas.

If so, the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act is very similar to European consumer rights law.
https://singaporelegaladvice.com/law-articles/lemon-law-claims-defective-items-singapore/

Engine was bought in June 2025, delivered in August 2025 end of the week - Found out damaged that week and reported it to seller been back and forward with seller. REASON why I did chargeback is despite alibaba stating one thing, despite seller saying one thing they both have acted unethically, and refusing to either bare costs or give refund. Alibaba change there mind up, I get reasons such as:

1) we can’t determine if damage was caused by you, however proven by seller chat they taken responsibility, they even said we found defects before shipping,

2) refuse to comment on the refund if seller doesn’t provide label,

3) state that they can’t pressure seller to refund or accept return item 

4) despite advertising Easy Return - which states return to local warehouse they are denying it stating not possible despite previously stating it was.

I get why you took this route. Sadly that is not a basis for a chargeback.

Chargebacks are a very blunt way of gettings funds back. Which can lead to a world of pain. 

Who is the debit on the HSBC account to?
Where does seller say any returns have to go to?

HSBC said I have shown attempt of return and will be raising it. the transaction is directly to Alibaba. Seller is saying return to our warehouse in China. 

I have found a quote from fedex which may allow me to return for £300 but like i said I am worried they will not pay custom fees etc etc. I am more than happy to return whilst dispute is ongoing incase they come back with I have not returned goods.