US Man Orders Drill Online From Chinese App, Receives Photo Instead in Bizarre Scam
February 3, 2025: Sylvester Franklin, a 68-year-old resident of Georgia, was left stunned after he received a photograph of the drill he ordered instead of the actual product. The bizarre incident unfolded after Mr. Franklin placed an order for a drill and pressure washer from AliExpress, a China-based online retailer, in November for $40.
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In December, the eagerly awaited delivery arrived. However, to Mr. Franklin’s dismay, the package contained a folded, printed photo of the drill, along with a screw, instead of the tool itself.
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“I paid around $40—what I got was a picture of the drill and a screw. I was very upset. I contacted them for a refund straight away,” Franklin said, expressing his frustration.
Despite several attempts to contact the retailer, Franklin has yet to receive any resolution or communication regarding his refund. “Don’t scam nobody. If you spend your money, you want to get what you paid for,” he lamented.
As the story circulated online, social media users reacted with a mix of humor and shared experiences.
One user commented, “That is a common scam, happens a lot on sites like eBay and Facebook Marketplace.” Another joked, “Last month, I ordered a picture of a Ferrari for $1.09, and they sent me an actual Ferrari!”
Others criticized the impracticality of expecting a power washer and drill for $40.
AliExpress, a subsidiary of Alibaba and often dubbed the “Amazon of China,” has faced repeated criticism for unreliable sellers and dubious practices. According to the Better Business Bureau, the platform holds a D-rating and has left over 1,100 customer complaints unresolved.
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