Georgia Man Seeks Refund After Receiving Photo Instead of Drill from AliExpress

Sylvester Franklin, a Georgia resident, faced a frustrating experience after ordering a drill and a pressure washer from AliExpress, only to receive a printed photo of the drill and a single screw instead. Despite multiple attempts to obtain a refund since November, Franklin has been unsuccessful, even after trying to initiate a chargeback through his bank. His case highlights the ongoing issues with AliExpress, which has been criticized for consumer complaints and was added to the U.S. Trade Representative's 'Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy' list in 2021. In 2024, the Georgia Consumer Protection Division received several complaints against AliExpress, with customers reporting non-delivery and fake tracking numbers. Franklin hopes his experience serves as a cautionary tale for other online shoppers, emphasizing the importance of receiving what one pays for. He advised others to take immediate steps, such as reporting incidents to consumer protection authorities and documenting their cases.