AliExpress ! UPDATE

[hondated]

I will try and keep this short. I bought a carbon stem off AliExpress. The plastic bag it was shipped in got torn going through the Royal Mail sorting machinery in the UK and the stem must have dropped out. The RM put the torn empty bag in one of their 'Apology' bags and delivered it to my address anyway (as is their policy). I reported to the Seller what had happened and asked for a refund. They refused. I ask AliExpress to intervene. They sided with the Seller stating I had not produced sufficient proof (despite me sending photos of the torn bag and the RM Apology bag). AliExpress claimed it was up to me to claim a refund from the RM. The RM stated it was up to the Seller to make the claim. Checkmate! I ended up getting a refund from Paypal without any hassle and cancelled my account with AliExpress out of disgust for the way they handled my case.

Thank you as this is interesting because I have contacted Paypal and even though I gave them the info I have they have refused to follow my issue up.

[hondated]

Thank you to everyone who responded to my post who either offered me advice or told me of your experiences they are all appreciated.
Just before I read your responses I received a message from the seller informing me they had not received my package and when they did they will give me a refund. So things are looking better than they did yesterday but that said once my refund has been issues I will update this thread and give you all enough information to avoid you buying from this seller.

[Retyred.life]

After a similar non-communication and unsatisfactory result issue I switched to Temu. Same low prices, slow shipping, etc. but excellent response and resolurion from Temu themselves.

[Cowsham]

After a similar non-communication and unsatisfactory result issue I switched to Temu. Same low prices, slow shipping, etc. but excellent response and resolurion from Temu themselves.

I watched the Dispatches tv program " The truth about Temu"


The bit about carabiners (see in bold below ) that rock climbers use was as shocking as the electrical tools ( which first got my attention -- sorry )

https://www.channel4.com/press/news/tru ... hannel%204

"Electrical product tester and certifier, VDE, told the programme that two pliers carrying its name had not been certified by the institute.

Flynn discovered the tools on Temu’s platform advertised with photos of safety certificates seemingly issued by VDE, whose mark is trusted by electricians internationally. However, the institute’s Hendrick Schäfer said that the photos had been altered to superimpose the name of the Temu merchant onto the document of a genuine certificate holder.

He said: “This certificate was a copy. It was illegal…they faked the original certificate and just overwrote the name on the certificate with their own names. This will have definitely consequences for this manufacturer.

“If the certification is not correct…the insulation of these handheld tools is maybe not properly done and the result could be an electric shock and in the worst case, electric shock could lead to death.”

In response to the certification of the pliers, Temu told Dispatches: “We do not allow forgeries and will take action against any sellers involved if such cases are found.

The programme also found that medical products were listed on Temu as “FDA certified” and “FDA approved,” in reference to the US federal medical regulator. However, the FDA does not issue certificates and told the programme that it had not approved any of the products Flynn drew their attention to.

On Temu, she also found carabiners, used by rock climbers, tree surgeons and construction workers, carrying the safety mark of the “UIAA” (the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation). However, a safety standards representative for the federation closely examined the products and could not find a manufacturer’s mark on them, making it impossible to determine their provenance. Nick Galpin said that in order for safety equipment to be granted permission to use the organisation’s safety label, it must contain a manufacturer’s mark, clearly and indelibly on the products.

He added: “The UIAA would not have their mark, ever, on a carabiner or certified product that did not hold the manufacturer's mark.”

[simonineaston]

Sticking to general principles in order to avoid offence, I have doubts about the wisdom of offering blanket no-questions-asked consumer protection. While the notion of a money back guarantee whatever the circumstances may on the face of it seem attractive, the tendency of such a principle to reduce buyers’ responsibility will have its own consequences. There’s no such thing as a free lunch, folks…

[bjlabuk]

There’s no such thing as a free lunch, folks…

Or to quote John Ruskin: “There is hardly anything in this world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and those people who consider price alone are this man's lawful prey, as it is as unwise to pay too little as it is to pay too much."

[simonineaston]

Nice quote!

[SimonCelsa]

Or to quote John Ruskin: “There is hardly anything in this world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and those people who consider price alone are this man's lawful prey, as it is as unwise to pay too little as it is to pay too much."

Yes, a very apt quote for this circumstance.

Without wishing to sound disparaging to the OP, £400 is a lot of money to shell out for something which has a very high chance of not being legit. We all like a bargain, but if you're going to take a risk then at least order something reasonably local where you've half a chance of recourse should it all go awry.

I hope you obtain a refund but wouldn't hold your breath. Put it down to experience and build up a fixed gear instead, a little cheaper!! Happy Christmas.

[fastpedaller]

After a similar non-communication and unsatisfactory result issue I switched to Temu. Same low prices, slow shipping, etc. but excellent response and resolurion from Temu themselves.

I watched the Dispatches tv program " The truth about Temu"


The bit about carabiners (see in bold below ) that rock climbers use was as shocking as the electrical tools ( which first got my attention -- sorry )

https://www.channel4.com/press/news/tru ... hannel%204

"Electrical product tester and certifier, VDE, told the programme that two pliers carrying its name had not been certified by the institute.

Flynn discovered the tools on Temu’s platform advertised with photos of safety certificates seemingly issued by VDE, whose mark is trusted by electricians internationally. However, the institute’s Hendrick Schäfer said that the photos had been altered to superimpose the name of the Temu merchant onto the document of a genuine certificate holder.

He said: “This certificate was a copy. It was illegal…they faked the original certificate and just overwrote the name on the certificate with their own names. This will have definitely consequences for this manufacturer.

“If the certification is not correct…the insulation of these handheld tools is maybe not properly done and the result could be an electric shock and in the worst case, electric shock could lead to death.”

In response to the certification of the pliers, Temu told Dispatches: “We do not allow forgeries and will take action against any sellers involved if such cases are found.

The programme also found that medical products were listed on Temu as “FDA certified” and “FDA approved,” in reference to the US federal medical regulator. However, the FDA does not issue certificates and told the programme that it had not approved any of the products Flynn drew their attention to.

On Temu, she also found carabiners, used by rock climbers, tree surgeons and construction workers, carrying the safety mark of the “UIAA” (the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation). However, a safety standards representative for the federation closely examined the products and could not find a manufacturer’s mark on them, making it impossible to determine their provenance. Nick Galpin said that in order for safety equipment to be granted permission to use the organisation’s safety label, it must contain a manufacturer’s mark, clearly and indelibly on the products.

He added: “The UIAA would not have their mark, ever, on a carabiner or certified product that did not hold the manufacturer's mark.”

My daughter has ordered and received several items through Temu and has generally been pleased. Her Bathroom floor mat came with Merry Chrisrmas sewn into it, which (it has to be said) gave much meriment, especially when we looked at the original advert, which had the mis-spelling which she hadn't noticed! You only have to look at the description of some cycling parts on Temu to decide you'd be best advised to shop elsewhere. Her most recent order included a couple of puncture repair outfits, and from the picture she showed me last week they appear to be german origin. I'll find out when we visit over Christmas, but (unless things change greatly) I'll not buy other cycle parts. My Daughter tells me there are 'Temu Fails' on Facebook which are very amusing!

[bjlabuk]

Nice quote!

I actually first saw it displayed on the wall of my local Fish and Chip shop, who prided themselves on the quality of their fish. Their version read

"It is always within the ingenuity of man to produce something a little bit smaller or a little bit poorer or a little of both and to sell it a little cheaper. People who buy by price alone are the legitimate prey of such men."

[Rob D]

After a similar non-communication and unsatisfactory result issue I switched to Temu. Same low prices, slow shipping, etc. but excellent response and resolurion from Temu themselves.

Having read an article recently about product design theft by Temu traders, I'd be very reluctant to buy through them. One example was a specialist greeting card designer, who found her designs had been copied exactly by a Temu trader, who sold the cards at a fraction of her price. It was extremely difficult to prevent it.

[Cowsham]

After a similar non-communication and unsatisfactory result issue I switched to Temu. Same low prices, slow shipping, etc. but excellent response and resolurion from Temu themselves.

I watched the Dispatches tv program " The truth about Temu"

https://www.channel4.com/press/news/tru ... hannel%204

My daughter has ordered and received several items through Temu and has generally been pleased. Her Bathroom floor mat came with Merry Chrisrmas sewn into it, which (it has to be said) gave much meriment, especially when we looked at the original advert, which had the mis-spelling which she hadn't noticed! You only have to look at the description of some cycling parts on Temu to decide you'd be best advised to shop elsewhere. Her most recent order included a couple of puncture repair outfits, and from the picture she showed me last week they appear to be german origin. I'll find out when we visit over Christmas, but (unless things change greatly) I'll not buy other cycle parts. My Daughter tells me there are 'Temu Fails' on Facebook which are very amusing!

but I'll bet she'll cherish that mat more than if it was correctly spelt. I went out of my way to buy the queens platinum jubilee mugs that said " The Platinum Jubbly" and treasure them. ( eBay I think )

[mattsccm]

I am a fan. Wouldn't buy climbing gear for example but happy with everything so far. Generally I but stuff that can't go wrong so I don't need to send it back. Can't go wrong with fancy alloy, tubeless valves, cartridge belts etc. A mate has built a bike from the Aliexpress website. It is great.
Use a credit card or, as I do, Paypal paid off with a credit card. I once bought the wife a fitness watch which arrived from China. I didn't see anything on the sales page to suggest that. It may have been genuine as ,after all, moist of this stuff comes from China anyway. However I whinged. PP said send it back but I didn't fancy that so I involved the CC company. They said, give notice of a need to collect and we will refund in 7 days. They did. The watch is still here.

[Jezrant]

I once bought the wife a fitness watch which arrived from China. I didn't see anything on the sales page to suggest that. It may have been genuine as ,after all, moist of this stuff comes from China anyway. However I whinged.

You bought a fitness watch for ‘the wife’ on AliExpress and whinged because it came from China? Where did you think it would come from?

[Cowsham]

I've never bought from Aliexpress but most of my online purchase trouble is from Amazon. Currently I'm waiting on an aluminum front rack -- last whereabouts update was on the 3rd of December still in China.

With about 3 times as many of my purchases from eBay I have next to zero problems with them.