What EXACTLY is covered under PayPal's Purchase Protection Program?

[MJER]

I understand that PayPal's Purchase Protection Program covers the following:

1) An individual purchases an item (e.g. on eBay and pays for it via PayPal) but NEVER receives the item bought.

2) An individual purchases an item (e.g. on eBay and pays for it via PayPal) but the item received is NOT what the purchaser bought. PayPal describes this scenario as "Significantly Not as Described." For example, the purchaser bought a book on eBay and instead receives a toaster.

Items 1) and 2) make perfect sense to me - they're clear and unambiguous.

Now here's where I need clarification: PayPal's Purchase Protection Program is in effect for 180 days following the date a purchase is paid for using PayPal. But does this protection program also serve as a product warranty protecting the buyer against any sort of product failure within those 180 days? Here's my situation: An individual bought a brand-new/never used piece of photo equipment from me on eBay on June 10, 2017, paying for it via PayPal. Within a week of that date the buyer had received the item and checked it for proper operation. He indicated he was fully satisfied with his purchase by giving me Positive feedback on eBay in June. Note that the eBay listing for this item indicated a No Return/No Refund policy.

Fast forward to Sept. 29, 2017: Via eBay's email system, I received a message from the above buyer stating the product he bought from me had malfunctioned and that he wanted his money back. After some digging I learned that the item had, according to the buyer, failed sometime at the end of August/beginning of September after a week of actual use. (The buyer confirmed to me that after verifying that the item was working right when he received it, he then had not actually used the item for some two-and-a-half months and it only failed at the end of August/beginning of September).

I have carefully reviewed the entire text of PayPal's Purchase Protection Program. I do not see any wording stating implicitly or explicity that the Program offers a buyer warranty protection against product failure - especially after the buyer has had possession of that product for two-and-months. Still, PayPal has found in favor of the buyer and once he returns the item to me with all parts and original packaging intact I will be required to refund the pruchase price.

Any thoughts, ideas? Thanks for your time!

[William9]

In theory it is not warranty but in practice it can be.

The first step is automated, no one will listen to you and buyer will be granted a return. After you receive the package you should video the whole process of receiving it, opening and testing. You will need to try to convince PayPal that you sold working item, possible refering to pictures in the original ad and that buyer has returned a defective one after months of use, thus using buyer protection as warranty. However, since PayPal is pro-buyer, don't have your hopes too high.

[MJER]

Yes, what you're saying about PayPal - I'm beginning to see that.

It's not even the amount that's in question (less than $40). It's the fact that the Buyer Protection Program wording doesn't state anywhere that the program also serves as a "product warranty." If it already did, fine, I accept that. But for credibility's sake, if the program is meant to provide product warranty protection it should state that.

Thanks for the advice on documenting the package "opening.'" I will do that.

Thanks for responding! 

[Whac-A-Mole]

ebay gives the buyer 30 days,Paypal and credit card issuer gives 180 days.

if it is a used item,it could be fine and then stop working ,something could have been shaken loose in transit or battery runs low or just plain old and worn

unless you sell it under ebay/parts and repair else you are subject to return for item not working.