- Who handles returns depending on where you bought the item
- What “warranty” actually means when buying from overseas sellers
- What to do before you buy — and the steps to take if something goes wrong
Returns and warranties are the least exciting part of online shopping — right up until something goes wrong. Then they’re the only thing that matters. Here’s what to understand before you buy, especially when the seller isn’t an Australian retailer.
Who handles the return — the marketplace, the seller, or nobody?
This depends entirely on where you bought the item:
| Where You Bought It | Who Handles Returns |
|---|---|
| Amazon (sold by Amazon) | Amazon — usually straightforward, especially for items shipped from Australian warehouses |
| Amazon (third-party seller) | The seller directly, with Amazon stepping in if there’s a dispute |
| eBay | The seller directly, backed by eBay’s Money Back Guarantee if the item doesn’t arrive or doesn’t match the description |
| AliExpress | The seller directly, with AliExpress Buyer Protection as a fallback. Disputes must be opened within the Buyer Protection window. |
| A physical Australian retailer | Covered by Australian Consumer Law — you’re entitled to a remedy for faulty products |
Dealiroo does not handle returns
This is important enough to say clearly: Dealiroo doesn’t sell products, process payments, or handle returns. Every purchase you make is completed on the retailer’s own website. If something goes wrong — wrong item, damaged in shipping, never arrived — you need to contact the retailer or marketplace where you completed the purchase. We can point you in the right direction, but we can’t process a return or refund on your behalf.
What “warranty” actually means when buying from overseas
A product listed with a “12-month warranty” from an overseas seller is only as good as that seller’s willingness to honour it. Enforcing a warranty claim against a seller based in another country is difficult and often impractical. In practice:
- Australian retailers: Warranty claims are backed by Australian Consumer Law. You have real recourse if something goes wrong.
- Major international platforms (Amazon, eBay): Their buyer protection programs function as a de facto warranty for the first 30–90 days after purchase.
- Overseas sellers on AliExpress: Warranty claims are possible but can be slow and complicated. Treat the warranty as a bonus if it works, not a guarantee.
What to do before you buy
- Read the return policy on the retailer’s own site. “Change of mind” returns are rare for overseas purchases — assume you can only return something if it’s faulty or doesn’t match the description.
- Check who pays return shipping. Returning a $30 item to China might cost $25 in postage. Some sellers cover this; many don’t.
- Keep your order confirmation and any communication with the seller. If you need to open a dispute, having records makes the process significantly easier.
- Use PayPal or a credit card. Both offer additional dispute resolution options beyond the marketplace’s own protection.
If something goes wrong
- Contact the seller first — many issues are resolved quickly with a message
- If the seller doesn’t respond or refuses to help, escalate to the platform’s dispute system (eBay Resolution Centre, AliExpress Dispute, Amazon A-to-Z Guarantee)
- If you paid via PayPal or credit card, you can also open a dispute through them as a fallback
Bottom line
The vast majority of online purchases arrive without any issues. But understanding who’s responsible when something does go wrong — and knowing it’s not Dealiroo — means you’re not scrambling to figure it out after the fact. Check the retailer’s return policy before you buy, and keep your records.