AliExpress Return and Refunds Keep Rejecting Claim despite Clear Evidence of False Advertising

Lsupaozbarginman on 23/09/2025 - 21:00
Last edited 24/09/2025 - 09:59 by 1 other user

Hi guys, I recently bought some Garmin watch bands for my instinct 3 off aliexpress.

The received items do not match the photo (the torch cutout isn't there). I messaged the seller with photos trying to clarify if they sent the wrong item. The response is "oh that's the way it is, if you don't like it then you can return it". Then I realised yeah they don't care.

I raised refund request on the app and attached the photos pointing out the discrepancies. A few hours later, they requested more evidence, so I took a few more photos. Then, a few hours later, they rejected my claims, stating that they did not meet their evidence standard. So, I appealed the decision, and they replied, indicating my proof wasn't enough to sustain a claim. I then talked to an online customer service agent but just ended up reapply refund again.

So basically, I have gone through the process as mentioned above three times and am still getting a very robotic reply saying my evidence is not enough to sustain a claim. What's more frustrating is when they prompt you to speak to customer service to get more details for the rejection, the customer service team don't actually have access to those details. They can't even answer the question "can you provide me a reason why my claim was rejected". All they are responding is "I am guiding you through this", "your concern is well received and don't worry the dispute team is working on the order" "I promised I will personally look into this for you and trust me it will be different this time".

In the last conversation I have with them, it took me 20 mins to get the agent to send a request to the senior team. Today's response is more robotic than ever simply asking me to submit an appeal.

I know this is probably going nowhere, but I am still very interested to know how other people's experiences, and what tips and tricks you have to get in contact with a real person.

Thank you for your contribution in advance.

Related Stores

AliExpress

Marketplace

• 

  JiGaXD on 23/09/2025 - 21:12

  +3

  I haven't had any issues with returns, most of time it has been instant - perhaps because of the account status/tier?

  It sounds like you'd be better off either doing more research into the items (eg checking review photos, other listings), buying from more reputable sellers or genuine/popular third parties. I've personally found the ratings to generally be indicative of satisfaction (assuming enough reviews).

  • 

    supaozbarginman on 23/09/2025 - 21:21

    I have had a few returns, which were genuine fault with products, before and it was very smooth. I put through incorrect orders before but I wont return it given that was my fault.

    Cant agree more on doing more research to avoid similar issues. However, the process is quite shocking after a couple years of positive experience.

  • 

    Dr Phil on 24/09/2025 - 18:23

    -2

    The response is "oh that's the way it is, if you don't like it then you can return it".

    Seems like the seller hasnt got a problem either

    OP must be going about this the wrong way

  • 

    ATTS on 25/09/2025 - 14:49

    I wqs about to buy a garmin strap of ali express but decided to get it of amazon instead. Think it was the right decision

    However i noticed the strap is a less flexible material, though thats the only downside i think

• 

  Far Cough on 23/09/2025 - 21:20

  +1

  i get a mix of instant refunds or returns.
  All returns are thrown out and never actually returned. I've confirmed this with many sellers.

  • 

    supaozbarginman on 23/09/2025 - 21:27

    I am not surprised after years of shopping via different platforms. I get seller asking me to keep the stuff but still refund it for me.

    • 

      Far Cough on 23/09/2025 - 21:31

      I've had sellers either offer me a refund of 1c less than the buy price, so their sales-to-returns ratio doesn't get ruined, or send back an empty box as "return never comes to me, it goes in the bin."

      • 

        supaozbarginman on 23/09/2025 - 22:02

        TBH as a seller I would do the same as most items cost very little and a good review will last much longer. Its apparent this seller thinks differently.

• 

  Jimothy Wongingtons on 23/09/2025 - 21:33

  +2

  Pay via PayPal next time

  • 

    supaozbarginman on 23/09/2025 - 21:38

    I have seen ppl getting refundsvia charge back or something like that.

• 

  AustriaBargain on 23/09/2025 - 21:33

  I always get refunded. Never even have to return it. Happens a lot when you always order the cheapest option available. Just have to choose the right options.

• 

  wombat81 on 23/09/2025 - 21:33

  +2

  I know this isn't helpful for you, but whenever I decide to buy anything from Ali (or Banggood) I always work on the assumption that if it needs to be returned then I've probably lost my money. I know it shouldn't be like that but, IMO, if you want quick and easy returns you need to be prepared to pay extra to buy via Amazon etc.

  You're generally only buying through Ali to save a bit of money, but there's risk that goes with that.

  • 

    supaozbarginman on 23/09/2025 - 21:37

    100% with you. I guess I am just very curious of the whole process and how far some of the things can go. It was like 10 dollars in total and I know most people will think I am wasting my time. i am not expecting a refund really ahah

• 

  Mikefr on 23/09/2025 - 21:38

  Is a chargeback possible, from original payment source?

  • 

    supaozbarginman on 23/09/2025 - 23:01

    Actually just did it through paypal and it was instant with all the communication logs.

    • 

      PeterA07 on 24/09/2025 - 10:08

      Glad you sorted this out. This was going to be my answer: always use PayPal when buying on AliExpress. I had a shipping issue once, and went round and round in circles with AliExpress support despite producing detailed evidence; I finally got my refund through PayPal.

      • 

        supaozbarginman on 24/09/2025 - 13:26

        Yeah man, I didnt realise charge back is with paypal. I thought it was with the bank. In fact, the banks are very strict with their charge back policies these days. I helped my mum with a online visa site before and it was very similar experiences. However, they were a bit clearer with their instructions.

• 

  Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 23/09/2025 - 21:56

  That's weird. I've always gotten a refund. About half the time I'm told to keep the item. Probably 40 purchases a year and 5 are shit and require a refund (and 2/3 I'm told to just keep it)

  • 

    supaozbarginman on 23/09/2025 - 22:00

    the experiences posted by different users have been quite mixed really. I have seen people being asked to submit refund requests 8 times and still getting rejections.

• 

  mickyb80 on 23/09/2025 - 22:43

  Sometime I have the same/similar drama.

  Where paid by Paypal, on occasion they will refund, sometimes they wont. Same same drama.

  In the end, I usually ping the credit card company and ask them to do a clawback.
  Sometimes this also ends up in drama.

  I usually dont bother with small/cheap items, only the $100+ items. Part of the risk when rolling the dice with AliExpress.

• 

  jv on 23/09/2025 - 22:52

  -1

  TL;DR

  OP bought Garmin watch bands on AliExpress that didn’t match the listing. The seller brushed them off, and refund claims were repeatedly rejected despite providing evidence and appealing. Customer service gave scripted, unhelpful replies, and they're stuck in a loop with no resolution—now seeking advice on how to reach a real person or get results.

  • 

    notaccel on 23/09/2025 - 23:00

    em dash detected.

    thanks chatgpt

• 

  7ekn00 on 23/09/2025 - 23:10

  Thanks for posting, I promised I will personally look into this for you and trust me it will be different this time!

  • 

    supaozbarginman on 23/09/2025 - 23:11

    lolllllllllll! how different, i wanna to know.

• 

  Jac33au on 24/09/2025 - 07:46

  You won't get anywhere, just claim through your bank. They'll probably cancel your aliexpress account though when the bank does the chargeback

• 

  Aleigh123 on 24/09/2025 - 07:48

  For now, go ahead and leave them a terrible review. If they have any sort of reputation, they might just offer you a refund as a "courtesy" coincidentally after you poor review.

  • 

    supaozbarginman on 24/09/2025 - 08:06

    Actually I did, but I don't see it on their product review…

• 

  ihbh on 24/09/2025 - 07:48

  How much did your Instinct 3 cost? Solar?

  My Instinct 2S solar had problems recently tracking night time stats so I got a refund and bought a 2 solar recently from Amazon UK for $334. Couldn't justify the Instinct 3 solar, but if it drops near what I paid over the next year or so, my 2 solar is going to the missus.

  • 

    supaozbarginman on 24/09/2025 - 08:09

    My solar 2 was okay after 2yrs. But the torch feature is what I want and also better solar recharge efficiency.

    I got the 3 when it was on special plus giftcard discount so workwd out to be about 500aud so not too bad.

• 

  habib23q on 24/09/2025 - 08:09

  I buy upto 100 items or more per year and in the few returns i have ever had to do out of say maybe 10 or so all up out of hundreds of purchases only two ended up in a similar situation. Both were gaming handhelds.

  One was a scam where they send you a $10 nes on a chip kiddy one instead of the nicer one you paid alot more for which in this case was about 2 years ago now was supposed to be sent our the Anbernic Rg405v. The other cheapie handheld I got let's just say looked like someone had stomped all over it. In both cases i had to send multiple photos and videos which at first got rejected and then eventually got the refund aftey they escalated but was all a big hassle in the end.

• 

  Nillionaire on 24/09/2025 - 12:25

  -4

  You waive your right to guaranteed return when ordering from the likes of AliExpress. That's the tradeoff for those prices.