This man ordered a power tool online and what happened next will shock you!
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In the digital age, the convenience of online shopping has become a cornerstone of daily life, particularly for those of us who appreciate the ease of having items delivered straight to our doorsteps.
However, this modern marvel doesn't come without its pitfalls.
The story of this Georgian local’s bewildering experience serves as a cautionary tale for all of us who navigate the world of online shopping.
Savannah resident Sylvester Franklin purchased the power tool from AliExpress—The item was acquired from an online retail service in China in or around November for approximately $20.
What Franklin received wasn't a drill, but a picture of one, folded up and placed in the drill's packaging.
"They sent me this. This is a picture of what they sent me," Franklin, displaying the paper with the black and green drill and its components, shared his story with WTOC.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t the only disappointment. Franklin also ordered a pressure washer from the same website.
"I paid $22.47 for a pressure washer, and this is what I get," he held up a small, silver object explaining…"It's a screw."
Franklin is frustrated as he tried to contact the retailer but has yet to receive a refund for his purchases.
In 2021, the Office of the United States Trade Representative added AliExpress to its Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy list. Additionally, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) has given the retailer a D- rating, citing its failure to respond to more than 1,100 complaints.
Upon further investigation, Franklin discovered he wasn’t alone.
Three complaints against AliExpress have been filed with the Georgia CPD in 2024.
One customer, who spent over $400, claimed they “never received their order” and were even given a “fake tracking number.”
All three complaints noted that refunds were only issued after the customers escalated their concerns to the CPD.
Meanwhile, Franklin is still fighting to get his money back and hopes his experience serves as a warning to others.
"This is not good. This is real bad. All this is bad, you know what I mean?" he said. "Don't scam nobody. I don't like to get scammed because if you spend your money, you want to get what you paid for."
Online scams are indeed on the rise, with technology's advancement providing scammers with more sophisticated tools to deceive unsuspecting consumers.
Just last July, a woman was left baffled after ordering what she thought was a slice of cake from a local bakery on UberEats, only to discover she had fallen prey to a ghost kitchen scam, receiving her order from a Chuck E Cheese instead.
To our members, it’s crucial to always exercise caution when shopping online.
Check the credibility of the retailer, read customer reviews, and be wary of deals that seem too good to be true. If you do find yourself in a situation similar to Franklin's, don't hesitate to reach out to consumer protection agencies and demand the service and products you rightfully paid for.
We'd love to hear from you! Have you ever encountered an online shopping scam? How did you handle it, and what advice would you give to fellow online consumers? Share your experiences in the comments below!
However, this modern marvel doesn't come without its pitfalls.
The story of this Georgian local’s bewildering experience serves as a cautionary tale for all of us who navigate the world of online shopping.
Savannah resident Sylvester Franklin purchased the power tool from AliExpress—The item was acquired from an online retail service in China in or around November for approximately $20.
What Franklin received wasn't a drill, but a picture of one, folded up and placed in the drill's packaging.
"They sent me this. This is a picture of what they sent me," Franklin, displaying the paper with the black and green drill and its components, shared his story with WTOC.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t the only disappointment. Franklin also ordered a pressure washer from the same website.
"I paid $22.47 for a pressure washer, and this is what I get," he held up a small, silver object explaining…"It's a screw."
Franklin is frustrated as he tried to contact the retailer but has yet to receive a refund for his purchases.
In 2021, the Office of the United States Trade Representative added AliExpress to its Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy list. Additionally, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) has given the retailer a D- rating, citing its failure to respond to more than 1,100 complaints.
Upon further investigation, Franklin discovered he wasn’t alone.
Three complaints against AliExpress have been filed with the Georgia CPD in 2024.
One customer, who spent over $400, claimed they “never received their order” and were even given a “fake tracking number.”
All three complaints noted that refunds were only issued after the customers escalated their concerns to the CPD.
Meanwhile, Franklin is still fighting to get his money back and hopes his experience serves as a warning to others.
"This is not good. This is real bad. All this is bad, you know what I mean?" he said. "Don't scam nobody. I don't like to get scammed because if you spend your money, you want to get what you paid for."
Online scams are indeed on the rise, with technology's advancement providing scammers with more sophisticated tools to deceive unsuspecting consumers.
Just last July, a woman was left baffled after ordering what she thought was a slice of cake from a local bakery on UberEats, only to discover she had fallen prey to a ghost kitchen scam, receiving her order from a Chuck E Cheese instead.
To our members, it’s crucial to always exercise caution when shopping online.
Check the credibility of the retailer, read customer reviews, and be wary of deals that seem too good to be true. If you do find yourself in a situation similar to Franklin's, don't hesitate to reach out to consumer protection agencies and demand the service and products you rightfully paid for.
