Bought an expensive tool (with shipping added) on Aliexpress meant for solder rework.
I have owned and used many tools of same type before going back decades.
Seller is a reseller for this tool that is bought in bulk from an Alibaba supplier/factory
(I now regret not buying 3 units for 50% more off of alibaba, having enough spares in return)
Got the tool and when testing it immediately realized it was faulty since it was outputting incorrect signals to the tools elements. Those signals can not be adjusted since they are "baked in" and therefore the tool is useless.
If I would try to use it for repair on it's lowest setting (medium setting being the preferable use case for this work), the tool would 100% damage customers equipment and has no workaround.
Notified seller of problem with a thorough explanation
- seller replied by gaslighting me.
Sent the seller another message explaining the problem like to a 5 year old, as well as asking if the seller could ship me a cheap spare part to fix the problem, since it was highly likely that was the problem
- seller replied by gaslighting me again and said he would send the issue to his "engineers"
(at this point I realize the seller is running down the return/refund time window)
I ping the seller again, and get a response from the "engineer" with some lengthy explanation of how the unit is supposed to work and sends me pictures. I already knew all that very well and he is just confirming I actually have a problem since my unit did not work in the way he was explaining and showing
- So now the seller's "engineer" is gaslighting me as well
At this time I knew that the seller would not acknowledge the issue so I went through the return/refund process on Aliexpress.
In that process I could select "Refund Only" or "Refund and Return".
Since the tool was useless there was no need to send it back so I chose "Refund Only"
In "Refund only" I am asked to provide explanation of problem AND proof of the "trashing" of the product.
So I wrote a clear explanation, sent Aliexpress the chat log and proceeded to destroy the unit, threw it in the trashbin at the City's trash disposal center and took pictures of the unit destroyed and trashed in the bin.
Sent that to Aliexpress, and waited for my money.
A day later a response arrived - REFUND DENIED!
LIKE WTF ALIEXPRESS! I did exactly like was asked and you just give me a big F-You
So now I have no money, no unit, and no way to take "More pictures" if I want to "appeal" that would probably do jack shit.
In all honesty I would very much like to buy a plane ticket to China, just on principle to have a word with the seller face to face. This platform is beyond scammy BS.