Hey Mitch,
I just went through a similar issue with a shitty vendor on AliExpress. In my case the guy made up a fake tracking number and even called it fake in the remittance.
If your under 15 days on your count down timer and you don’t have a tracking number, I would open a dispute. Once you have opened the dispute. In the message to the seller explain that you need a tracking number to know that the shipment is being sent to you. If they can’t get a tracking number to you, then ask for a refund.
If the seller refuses, doesn’t respond, or the timer goes down to 5 or 6 days left, then escalate the dispute. In this case AliExpress will handle the dispute directly with the seller. In my case AliExpress took 4 or 5 days to issue me a refund. But, don’t expect them to talk to you when you escalate the dispute. I heard nothing, then got an email saying I was being issued a refund.
AliExpress is an awesome service, I’ve had by far more positive experience than negative ones. But, like amazon you have to be careful of too good to be true items. Unlike amazon to get refunds it takes longer than a 5 minute phone call.