Bought item from a store potential of a scam. Any way to cancel pending authorization payment?

[shihkien1]

I recently bought a camera lens from an actual store with an online store. I paid using Paypal and the funds were deducted from my bank.

My payment on both bank and Paypal says "Processing" and I cannot do anything with it.

"This is a temporary authorization to make sure your payment method will cover the payment. Your payment method will be charged when *Seller* completes your order."

I read reviews about this particular store that would call you the next day and tell you about an order confusion and would need to charge extra. Upon trying to cancel, they would tell you that you would need to pay for their Paypal fees for returns and things would be really complicated:

www.resellerratings.com/store/Willoughby_s/

I am trying to cancel the payment but Paypal does not let me do anything because ball is in merchant's court.

Is there anything I can do?

[sharpiemarker]

@shihkien1 

An authorization is an agreement to pay the merchant, only the merchant can cancel/void it when it’s pending.

The funds are put aside in your funding source, earmarked for the merchant to claim.

If the transaction is marked completed in your PayPal account, then the charge goes through with the merchant capturing the funds. It’s then fair game to dispute the transaction through PayPal if you contacted the merchant to cancel but they refuse to. You would file item not received or Significantly not as described which could be limiting your chances of winning the case if the issue is charging you more than the original amount. It has to be something the merchant and you resolve together without escalating. PayPal don’t cover buyer remorse.

Keep in mind that a merchant who uses the authorization and capture payment processing method, are allowed to capture less than or the full original authorized amount or capture up to 115% of or $75 USD more than the original authorized amount, whichever is less.

Authorization and capture enables merchants to authorize fund availability but delay fund capture. This can be useful for merchants who have a delayed order fulfillment process. Authorize & Capture also enables merchants to change the original authorization amount in case the order changes due to shipping, taxes, or gratuity.

[shihkien1]

Thank you so much for the reply!

In the event of me wanting to cancel the order with the merchant over the phone and they say that I would have to pay for Paypal fees, I don't want them to capture less than the full amount accordingly as a result.

I am extremely concerned that the merchant will refuse to cancel/void and I am catching all this before happening.

What else can I do in this case?

[sharpiemarker]

@shihkien1 

You tell the merchant that they don’t have to pay PayPal fees or deal with returns if they just simply voided the authorization/cancel the order and don’t ship. If it’s too late to cancel the order, well you’re stuck with returning the item, and other consequences. You can only request to cancel but the merchant does not or cannot always comply.

That’s why you have to not only shop for the product, but also the merchant, to see if they are reputable before buying.

[shihkien1]

Got it. What if they accept the transaction and then ghost me or send me an item not as described? Will I be able to dispute this with Paypal if that happens? I have a feeling they will be reluctant on returns if an item not described is shipped.