Phone unlock scam and Paypal's strange behaviour.

[jerry12x]

Hiya, I recently paid money to a phone unlocking site on the internet through Paypal's mastercard.
The site looks impressive. Unlock within 5 minutes. 60 day money back guarantee.

I can't go wrong.

In five minutes I can use my new to me iphone.

I followed their instructions but the download links they supplied did not work.
I got straight back on to paypal and filed a dispute requesting a refund.
As I clicked the button to complete the dispute I saw the immediate refund notice for phone unlock sites, but too late.

I tried another unlock site a few minutes later which also failed to do what they claimed.
I got an instant refund by pressing the right button in the paypal dispute process.

After that I went to a high street shop. My iphone is now working.

I have just heard from Paypal that I have lost my dispute to the first unlock site because...
"I purchased a digital or intangible item which isn't covered by buyers protection." 
Exactly the same as I bought from the second site where I got an instant Paypal refund.

I have seen on the internet that the unlock site does not honour their 60 day warranty.

So, I want to put a chargeback on the amount paid.

I paid $24.99. 1 cent less than the $25 required for a 3 day cooling off pereiod.

I didn't know, I'm English, we have a 7 day cooling off period  with no minimum.

After three days going round in circles I have not yet found out how to email paypal and request the chargeback.

I know I can phone them but my hearing is bad and I want to email.

I would also like to know why they changed their policy so quickly.

[kernowlass]

There is no buyer OR seller protection for digital / virtual items with paypal.

BUT if you file a claim and the seller has funds in their paypal account that paypal can access you may get your money back.

But if they can't access money in the sellers paypal account then they can't get the refund from the seller.

In that case you won't be refunded by paypal as you would normally as paypal does not cover virtual items.

You still have rights under distance selling regs but you need to pursue them yourself as paypal can do no more for you. 

Or you can if you funded the paypal payment with a card contact your card issuer and see if they will chargeback for you.

[jerry12x]

Paypal are the card issuer.

Why did Paypal state I could get an instant refund if it was from a phone unlock site,

then change their mind.

All phone unlock sites give is virtual.

Nothing in my case.

[kernowlass]

I read it again and see it was a paypal card, so contact the card issuer on the phone number given and request a chargeback,.....its not guaranteed for items under £100 though.

[jerry12x]

Paypal Access Card.

It is a Mastercard.

[jerry12x]

Your editing throws me a bit. Thanks though.

Would you also care to re read this bit.

I know I can phone them but my hearing is bad and I want to email.

I would also like to know why they changed their policy so quickly.

[kernowlass]

Unfortunately their email reply service is not the best but you can give it a go.

I don't really understand it when you say they changed their policy as they have nevered covered virtual transactions.

[jerry12x]

When I made the dispute there was a "click here for an imidiate refund if it was a phone unlock site."

I didn't realise what it said until I had clicked the wrong button.

That is why I tried another site and got the refund.

This is the policy change I am asking about.

From that, they went to refusing my claim.

It makes little sense.

[kernowlass]

Very odd, if you get an answer to that one post back here. 

[jerry12x]

Unless a Paypal rep comes on and reads the post...

Paypal has allowed the scam site to screw me.

There will be no answer.

If a Paypal rep comes on and disregards this post,

I am also screwed.

Come on Paypal.

Don't let the words Paypal and screwed become synonymous.

Any takers?