[Текст на српском] Have you tried buying anything through AliExpress? It usually goes well, except when you run straight into scammers…

I'm very cautios about ordering anything over the Internet. You have a bunch of horror stories from the people who dared to order an expensive item (for example a camera or a laptop). It seems that, as people became aware of the possible scam and quit ordering expensive things, a price limit of scammers went lower…

On November 11^th 2017 I have ordered through AliExpress one “Portable Foldable Studio Photo Collapsible Multi-Disc Light Photographic Lighting Reflector with Carrying Bag” — a simple item with the action price of US$15.62 and Shipping Cost of US$2.80. Total Amount was just US$18.42, and the “seller”, a scam company called “An Illusion”, immediately took off the money from my VISA debit card. A few days later asked a ridiculous additional sum “because of their mistake”. I refused, of course, because with this addition I could buy cheaper at several other places. Except that, no honest buyer wouldn't charge customer for their own mistake.

Then, they told me the price stays the same, but the delivery will be after 50 days. I agreed. But when I returned after 50 days of waiting to see the phase of delivery, unpleasent surprise waited there — it said the shipment was delivered on Dec. 1st, and transaction finished! Worse, I could not open dispute since the deadline expired!

Now that was scandalous enough, but AliExpress service aimed to protect customers was even worse. After I have filed a report on these scammers to the AliExpress Customer Protection Service, all I got were the promises of a various bot helpers (five of them exactly — Amanda, Sahara, Jaimee, Andre and Zarah), about the “urgent measures”, “higher level”, “Senior Management Specialist”… and always promising they will contact back, but never did. Disgrace.

In the meantime, scammers from “An Illusion” contacted me through certain Amy Yu, and offered refund over the PayPal. I would accept that, but in Serbia you can't receive money over PayPal, because the Central Bank treats it's citizens as hostages: PayPal in Serbia – Truth and Misconceptions. I have explained that refund through PayPal was impossible, and the only way was for them to send me an ordered product. THEY REFUSED! They blatantly lied they're out of stock while they have advertised 9725 pieces available!

Their only offer was (impossible) refund through PayPal! Great “business plan”, really.

At the end, I can safely predict a return of the old fashioned brick and mortar stores. Online scammers will make their return welcome :)