As mentioned by several others (and in several other similar topics) the issue is due to the selling and refund rules of Ali Express, which Anker (and any other company selling on the platform) must abide by.
While it is unfortunate that you have received what appears to be a defective unit, blaming Anker as a whole for following the rules of the selling platform you chose to buy from is a tad unfair.
I’ve gotten a few of their speakers,cables and chargers and so far no issues. Based on my experience I’ll continue buying their products.
@maciej86 did you try escalating the issue and possibly talk to a manager?
As @ndalby mentioned Anker has to follow the rules of the trade site they sell on. So sure it it Ankers official store, but it is Aliexpress warranty process they have to abide by in order to sell on their platform. Which in this case is either a partial refund and you keep the product or you send it back for full refund. Unfortunately because of aliexpress policy it is generally not in favor of the consumer and often times the manufacturer/ seller gets the blame for adhering to the sites policy. And in this case is it fair to the manufacturer because they are just abiding by the rules that are governed to them.
Future reference, check out the return policy for any site that you buy from as it may differ from the manufacturers policy.
If I’m wrong just ignore my reply (maybe I didn’t understand you well)
The warranty process looked like is going outside AliExpress, Anker offered me 50% refund before I even confirmed, that I’ve recieved my product on AliExpress. They requested serial number, PayPal account and video showing trouble and thats all. I didn’t open dispute on AliExpress (if i open dispute i must follow AliExpress Refund Policy), I was only messaging with Anker. It seems that the warranty process was going on Anker, not AliExpress policy.
Regardless if it’s handled via Anker or through aliexpress, the product was purchased on aliexpress hence they have to adhere to their policy regardless as they have to recoup their loss from aliexpress and let them know of the issue.
Why is the above post flagged? Seems fair comment.
Seems to me the issue is buying from AliExpress. Anyone who does so has to accept the risk if a unit is defective that they have to pay return shipping costs.
Either don’t buy from AliExpress or decide if the risk worthwhile. Just don’t put it all at the foot of Anker for your decision.
I have bought from AliExpress, not Anker product, I knew about the return policy cost, and bought knowing that risk.
I don’t understand why my comment above was flagged, in the post which I’ve linked someone had similar situation and full refund even on AliExpress policy was possible, so it is related to my post.
Also I don’t understand, why Anker after exchanging 19 messages with me didn’t mentioned, that they can’t refund more than 50% due to AliExpress policy, but due to “to the way our system is currently set up” and due to “please kindly understand”.
I may not know AliExpress policy that well (I know my bad by I may), so they could simple explain it in first message, that they can’t refund more due to AliExpress and that’s all, it’s not their fault but they are limited by AliExpress and discussion ends. If they would so, probably i wouldn’t be writing on this forum.
I went to the site, put the item you bought in basket and looked at my rights. It was very clearly stated, I needed only to look.
This thread should be renamed “warning on return costs on Aliexpress”
Curious, your account says in Poland, why didn’t you buy from Poland so return costs would be less? It’s the same price.
Glad I’ve never bought anything from Aliexpress
I’ve had a few issues with Anker products before but their customer service has always been amazing. I was always offered a full refund or replacement without any questions asked. But as others have said that was from Amazon, no Aliexpress.
Its better than some
Sometimes
It was actually customer service which made me an Anker fan, the speed and reasonableness was remarkably better than others.
That has only been strengthened each time. So I feel somewhat upset that @maciej86 had a bad experience. Avoid AliExpress and possibly review if Anker is best for you given how it is at AliExpress. I’d go as far as recommend buy another brand as on the inside they are similar products across other brands, but to be clear that’s to not avoid Anker but to avoid AliExpress. Other brands may be able to sell more locally to you. Anker is the best brand. But if you have to use, say, Aukey, Ravpower, Belkin, or some other brand to avoid the Awful AliExpress then so be it.
With a typical selling price < $100 it’s probably not worthwhile for you to buy Anker if that means AliExpress and the awful return postage risk.
Anker products are reliable, you had a bad experience with a bad unit. Can’t you buy Anker some other way, Amazon, or one of their approved local sellers?
I agree that Anker does not seem to be the problem here so the title of the post seems to be unfair. Research before buying anything should be the first step.
I have been buying Anker products since 2013. I have bought several Power Banks, all still work well years later, I just decided to upgrade. As a very active AR gamer they are a must. I lost count on how many Cable I have bought over the years and have come to the conduction that Anker are the best around. I have only had one fail on me and did not even try to get it replaced by Anker due the long use and abuse I put it through. I have also bought many Chargers and Car Chargers over the years, all of them still working. I just tent to upgrade a lot and pass on my old tech.
Over all from my personal experience, I can only think of a handful of companies that I have purchased so many different products from and would recommend them all to anyone who would listen to me. Also, I have found the Anker Community and Forums to be informative, helpful, and fun to read.
Indeed.
and yet it was still bought…
Buying from aliexpress has trobled to me also।
ali baba and the 40 robbers:rofl:
That was funny 
Did Anker offer to send you a replacement device directly?
winner winner!
