BR
Brett R

1 reviews | Active since May 2020

07 May 2020, 08:30

Broken Payment system

I will begin by saying that when things work, they work well with Banggood. But then their system decides to intervene, things go wrong. I tried to purchase the Fimi X8 SE 2020 during their pre-order special. Unfortunately I left it a bit late so when I tried on the last few days the voucher code "was used up for the day". When I tried for the last time on 30 Apr, it indicated the coupon had expired (oh well, my fault, but the price was still reasonable and I had a 10$ off coupon I could use. Went in and ordered it with coupon, paying via PayPal. Order went through. 10 minutes later, I get an automated email indicating order was cancelled as system flagged it as "suspicious". However, Paypal had drawn my money from my CC account and had made the payment. About an hour later I got a promotion email saying showing the same voucher code. So I thought, maybe something just went wrong. I am a level 4 VIP, so this was not my first purchase from Banggood. So I tried again. Voucher code worked (although now at $375 or so). At the same time I was linked in to their Live support system to try find out why the first order was cancelled. My second order attempt went through and got email "Thanks for payment. Order Processing". I then asked agent on support why first order was cancelled. While waiting for response, second order was cancelled. Agent says automatic cancellation by system due to risk. Please use safe payment method like "PayPal". I should try again later. Me: But I did use PayPal!! They have paid you! Anyway, I did try to reorder, but now it would not allow me to re-use the voucher code as it said I had already used it. At the same time, my voucher that was used in the first order was never reimbursed (still hasn't been). I then contacted Banggood live support again and asked why I couldn't use the voucher code. Agent: "You have already used it in order ####." Me: "Yes, but that order was cancelled, so I have not actually used it. How can I get Fimi on special?" Agent: "Reorder it later". Me: "Tried, but says I have used voucher". Agent: "Yes, you used it on order ####". Me: "That order was cancelled!! I have not used it!" , and so the looped conversation continued. I did try to order it a 3rd time via Paypal. It too was cancelled :( So: Long story short, I was now out over almost $1200 from my account with no Fimi on order. Took 5 days for money to be refunded. Problem however was with the 3 payments and refunds, I lost $50 in exchange fees via Paypal and my bank. So now I am out $50, did not get the Fimi at a special price on my normal account. I did however open a new account and paid directly via my credit card. This went through without issues! So: 1.I believe Banggoods payment system is broken. A cancelled order should cancel voucher code usage and reimburse vouchers you have in your account. 2. Cancellation should not be automatic. If a transaction is found suspect, the order should be placed on hold and the buyer be given opportunity to prove identity etc before order is cancelled. Aliexpress does it this way. 3. Banggood has no official way for customers to lodge a complaint. And the number of times I have emailed them via their system with issues I have received 0 response. The only response I can get is if I use their live support system and that is broken at the moment as I click on the button (different devices, different browsers) and it just sits their spinning, does not open up a chat session.

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