Beware AliExpress

[Tōtōchtin]

Since I have have written that I buy parts and tools from china I thought I should post this. I placed an order with a few vendors there. My package was marked as signed for and delivered. I have no neighbors close by so no one could have signed for anything. AliExpress told me I had to prove it didn't arrive. I asked them with their ancient wisdom how,never got an answer back. Lost 80 bucks.
Tōtō

[Salt Must Flow]

If you paid using a major credit card (NOT a debit card) then you have recourse. Sometimes there is some recourse with a debit card, but I wouldn't be surprised if they can't help. Do a charge-back on the card. Provide all of your previous correspondence with the vendor. The vendor will now have to provide reasonable evidence that you received it. You'll likely get your money back. The vendor will likely then file a claim through the shipping company and get reimbursed too.

[Buffalo]

+1 on what Salt said. I received a refund on a similar deal with another vendor because I used a credit card.

[Bolverk]

Yeah, anything shady (anything aliexpress) I use PayPal for the protection

[Tōtōchtin]

Hello I thank you for your responses. PayPal was not an option. I did take the advice above and contacted my bank. To my shock and chagrin my debit card has some protection down here and they opened a case for me. The vendors wanted to help but their hands were tied with the agreement with Ali. That company is run by an asshole. I can see them just saying fuck off. Asking to prove something wasn't delivered,without offering advice, is asinine.
Never thought about calling my bank,just wrote it off. One if the first times I noticed I'm getting old. Sad...
Tōtō

[Yummyrum]

Doh , not what I wanted to hear Toto .
I’ve always been wary and avoided the place fir years .
I only just joined last week and made my first purchases . Nothings arrived yet obviously .

But I did notice on one tracking link where “l” had to confirm parcel had arrived . I wonder if you accidentally ticked it and the parcel is still on it’s way .

[Tōtōchtin]

No they use that so they can close the account quicker to pay the vendors. They used a small delivery service here that won't answer emails. Looking at reviews there is a bunch with the same problem. How the fuck do you prove something didn't happen. I have had multiple deliveries ok from them. Just it sucks to lose 80 bucks, now I have to wait another month on my build and find a price I can afford.
Tōtō

[howie]

i've bought 12 items from Aliexpress over the past 3.5 years without much trouble TBH.
i had a missing seal off the window in a 4" gin basket, that was sent out pretty quickly by the vendor. (after providing photo of missing seal )
i just find them very slow sometimes, but half that time is lost in australia with the postal system.
i've tracked items to the international sorting office in Granville (?), where the parcels disappear for ages.
you should get a refund or replacement.
i would be demanding to see the signing signature.

[buchrob]

Placed 20+ orders in the last few years. Only 2 problems quickly resolved: glass items arrived broken due to inadequate packing.. refunded quickly after photos sent. One bad weld on a condenser... $ partial refund within a week.

Generally very satisfied, but if there is a problem there is definitely a language barrier to straigthen out. Stick with stores that have a high % rating. Unlike eBay, your money is in escrow... vendors only get paid when you click on delivery confirmed. Read descriptions and dimensions carefully. eg: 1/8" Chinese pipe fittings ≠ US 1/8.

Good stores so far: Kegland, ZGUA, Yoyohama Brew, Ali Brew.