Can I get a refund on AliExpress?

Many people buy on AliExpress and they have a system in place for refunds. On Sitejabber, as of Apr 26, 2024 3,609 members have written reviews where they rate AliExpress as a 1 star and said they had a problem with their refund system. Our users noted problems on receiving money back on refunds, shipping policy on refunds, time it takes to process a refund and overall customer service during the refund process.
In evaluating their refund process Sitejabber members had several insights on AliExpress.

Receiving money back on AliExpress refunds

Sitejabber member Caroleen C writes the following:

“Tricking advertisement, when you thing you did a good choice, The surprise come after getting your delivering. Heard to negotiate, to return, and refund. Money lost. The employee has no power to help at all. We are at the mercy of the vendor, who try their best do not return and refund. I was thinking saving money, but at the end I lost more. I do not recommend Aliexpress to anyone. I did over 5 purchases with garbage destination since I cannot use them. Even after sending picture of proof, they said is not good quality is what ever”

Sitejabber member Jamie B writes the following:

“I ordered what I thought were purple curtains and received a pink/red butterfly design - which doesn't work in my purple bedroom. I disputed with PayPal and Ali Express responded that I would receive a total refund of my $36.86 if I returned the item at my expense. I just responded to Paypal that I will not pay to return something that I didn't order. ** There were several color options. All colors no matter what was selected stated purple in the description. Another color was inadvertently ordered - watch what you are ordering on the website if it has color options.”

AliExpress shipping policy on refunds

Sitejabber member Daisy L writes the following:

“I DO NOT recommend you shop at Aliexpress. Aliexpress team is mostly on seller's side. According to my experience of many years, when you get damaged or bad quality items from them, you don't get refund although you have received damaged item so you open the disputes and provide them all the evidences of problems. The reason why is again, because the Aliexpress team is mostly on seller's side so you're ending with losing your money. Recently, they started to request you to send the items back to them for refund although you provide them all the evidences. That means you'll have to pay for the return shipping fee which costs way more than whatever you bought. Or no return and no refund. Either way, you're losing money on trash.”

Time to process AliExpress refunds

Sitejabber member Ken H writes the following:

“I think I would be considered a "frequent" user, average about $400 / month and 5 to 15 purchases. After not being able to use Paypal for my lastest purchase (AliPay is owned by AliExpress) I made very poor judgement call and used my credit card. The payment was taken by Aliexpress but the item ordered was not registered with them. They have no record of my purchase, so now I am forced to take it up with my bank to get my money back. The AliExpress website only has a street address to make complaints to. This I find a little strange as they are an "Internet" based business... But I suppose they "can do no wrong"... No more for me - I'm out.”

AliExpress customer service during refund process

Sitejabber member Kwaku O writes the following:

“AliExpress Customer Service 8162877058886959. Order ID: 8144278087116959 Through Aliexpress, I ordered Iteracare Terahertz Wave Cell Light Magnetic H from a shop called Hair Salon Dropshipping Store. I selected European plug 210/220 volts. However, the seller decided to send me an American 110-volt equipment because my address is in America. Thus, against what I ordered for. The seller will not accept the gadgets back so I filed for refund. To my surprise, Aliexpress decided that I have no grounds to return the equipment. Yes, on their discretion, the seller sent a voltage equipment different from the one I paid for but Aliexpress says I cannot return it. Be aware of Aliexpress because they protect rogue Chinese enterprises.”

However, not all refund experiences on AliExpress were negative. 1,808 (23%) reviewers rated AliExpress as 5 stars and had a good refund experience.

Sitejabber member Andrew V writes about their refund experience on AliExpress

“I've bought a ton of stuff from Ali over the past years, and admittedly its becoming less and less due to how long shipping takes now compared to a year or two ago. But they are by-far not a scammer website, if you know exactly what you're looking for you can find pretty good deals. Additionally, in all the times I have escalated an issue Aliexpress sides with the customers and you do recieve a full refund eventually.”

Sitejabber member Isa L writes about their refund experience on AliExpress

“I have been using AliExpress for the past two years to buy jewelry supplies for my handmade items and never had a bad experience, maybe one or two missing packages but I always got a refund, you have to keep an eye on the purchase protection so you can open a dispute before the time ends, overall very good experience. I really love the site and the prices but you have to be willing to wait to get your product as it takes several weeks.”

Sitejabber member Tyrel M writes about their refund experience on AliExpress

“I have been ordering from AliExpress for about 4 months now, and have only had one order not arrive. I received my full refund and have no issues with the resolution process. The products I've received have been or pretty good quality, with a few small flaws that don't really interfere with the purpose of the product (some stickers were a little too stuck to the sticker sheet) I look forward to ordering more things in the future, especially from the very wide variety in their cycling catagory.”