I purchased 4 battery cells for $475 from AliExpress, advertised as Grade A cells. After months of waiting, I received the cells. They were slightly swollen (already not Grade A) and I quickly realized that their original production QR codes were sanded/grinded off and covered with a sticker. These 4 cells were reconditioned cells, therefore automatically making them NOT Grade A.
When I first brought it up to the seller, they disputed this and offered a 10% discount. Then I filed a dispute with AliExpress. Everyone agreed that the cells were clearly not as described, however I would need to return the cells for a refund. I reviewed AliExpress' policy for returns and they claim the seller is responsible for shipping when an item is not as described. When I mentioned this to the seller, they categorically refused to cover shipping costs regardless of how many screenshots or copies of AliExpress policy I shared with them. Shipping quotes I got at the time were anywhere between $300 to $1,200 (it's a 70lb box that needs to be returned to China). They refuse to issue a shipping label.
Having no confidence that I'd see my shipping money back, I eventually filed a dispute PayPal. After providing all the evidence proving the cells aren't as described (including AliExpress resolution confirming this), along with transcripts of my conversations with the sellers refusing to cover shipping costs, PayPal closed the case in favor of AliPay (aka AliExpress).
Apparently, PayPal can't do anything more than tell me I have to ship the return and (hope) that the seller reimburses my shipping expenses. I'm relatively confident I'd get my $475 back for the cells but I have no confidence I'd get the several hundred dollars back for shipping. Not only that but this has also been taking way too much of my time and efforts and has drastically delayed my projects for using these cells.
While some will say "you should've known better than buying cells from AliExpress," the point of the matter is that there is a system in place for them to move these non-grade A cells and use the cost prohibitive return fees as a barrier against returns. And when a case is filed, PayPal has no choice but to side with the seller because these costs way too much to return and for the customer to eat up that cost. I imagine this is happening with tons of other items that aren't necessarily heavy battery cells. This is not OK.
