Dispute - PayPal rule in buyer's (my) favor, resolution support seller?

[WDGC]

 It feels like PayPal's dispute resolution is a massive scam. I filed a complaint through PayPal after several attempts with a seller. It was rather obvious that the seller, AC Hoodies, was actually a scam - suggesting American made (shipped from China), changing website to avoid searches, no contact information listed, ect.

PayPal now says I must return the item, and pay for the shipping (about $14 for my $20 item) to get a refund. Is this normal? Feels like PayPal is just assisting in the scam. Worse yet, PayPal's own "buyer protection" conflicts with itself:

13.4 Coverage Amount. If you are eligible for PayPal Purchase Protection and PayPal finds in your favor on your Claim, PayPal will reimburse you for the full purchase price of the item and original shipping costs – with no cap on coverage.

PayPal will not reimburse you for the return shipping costs that you incur to return a Significantly Not As Described item to the Seller or other party specified by PayPal. If the Seller presents evidence that they delivered the goods to your address, PayPal may find in favor of the Seller for an Item Not Received claim even if you did not receive the goods.

So first they say "yes, we'll reimburse shipping" then the next sentence says no? Make up your <removed>. When did PayPal because some a terrible company for service?

[kernowlass]

@WDGC

What it actually says is paypal will reimburse you the original price that you paid eg your original price for the item PLUS the original shipping charge that you paid for the item to be sent to you.

They do not pay for return postage costs as they can only ever get back the monies you processed through them ie that original cost of item + shipping.

That is why if you buy from a private seller or internationally you should bear that in mind and risk assess your transactions.

If you buy from a business seller in your own country then they normally refund return costs and if they don't you have the small claims court.

[WDGC]

@kernowlass - I understand. I posted in hopes that I was wrong. Unfortunately, you have clarified that, indeed, PayPal can easily be manipulated as the payment method for small payment scams.

Essentially, as a seller:

1) Post products for $20 or less, while advertising them as "local."

2) Send whatever item you want, regardless of what was actually purchased, from China (or any distant country).

3) No buyer will ever return the low-priced junk, thus giving free rein to make massive profit on anything extra laying around in warehouse inventory.

This is literally what AC Hoodies has done to me. Completely different item - a jacket, wrong color, size, style. Might as well have sent me infant-sized socks. Would love to understand how this constitutes "buyer protection" as it completely assists sellers with fraud.

[kernowlass]

@WDGC

Paypal can never give you 100% buyer protection just like they can't give 100% seller protection.

They give you "some" protection then it is up to you to risk assess your transaction and choose who you want to trade with.

Personally i would never buy from China as we have more complaints on here for "item receiived but not as described" from China than any other country.

If you funded your paypal payment via a card then why not contact your card issuer and see if they will chargeback for you??

[WDGC]

This, unfortunately is the problem.

I did not intentionally buy it from China - it appeared to be more local as an "American" product. This was part of the dispute claim.

Sadly, I made the mistake of not using my card, and the money in my PP acct is from several sources.

While I do not expect "100%" coverage, I do expect PayPal to intervene when it is a clear case of fraud, as this is.

Entire experience had dropped my confidence in PayPal significantly. If they can't assist with scams and fraud, what is the point in using them over direct payment? None that I see. Seems time to unlink all my cards and empty out my PP account.

[DPCreations]

PayPal doesn't manage or examin what sellers offer for sale.  PayPal only processes the payments.

It is buyer's responsbility and risk when evaluating the cost and value of an item using all avaialble means before making a purchase.

[JustCanbe]

You can face with the problem even in paypal dispute!

My problem is as below for your information!
I've written to Paypal more than ten times via message center and e-mail and no one of my messages was responded!!!!

Seller didn't send me the item and provided to Paypal the FAKE tracking number while the dispute was opened. And Paypal refused to refund me becuase the tracking information was not checked by Paypal carefully!

Claime detailes are as below from my last messages to Paypal:

QUOTE:
I have appealed to the Non-receipt - Claim - #PP-004-606-584-545, because you didn't check the Seller's tracking number (RH283182627CN) before making your decision! And now it transformed to Not as described - Appeal Case - #PP-004-606-584-545.
You required me to return the item!
BUT PLEASE READ COMMENTS TO APPEAL AND MY PREVIOUS MESSAGES!
I DON'T HAVE THE ITEM! SELLER PROVIDED YOU WITH THE FAKE TRACKING NUMBER to confuse the paypal in dispute #PP-004-606-584-545. AS PER HIS TRACKING, THE ITEM WAS SENT TO POSTCODE 01030. MY POSTCODE IS 01133! PLEASE RECHECK!
SO, SELLER PROVIDED THE NUMBER NOT FOR MY SHIPMENT, BUT FOR SHIPMENT TO ANOTHER BUYER!
Please help me to get my money back!!!
Hope to hear from you ASAP!

UNQUOTE.

Paypal, PLEASE ASSIT! Hope you can reply to me!