Dear PayPal, The most common scam

[fuzzyfluid]

As a buyer, I'm confused to why I continue to use PayPal. You've been around for years and yet websites and sellers continue to get away with the tracking number scam continually reported on multiple forums. I buy an item from a seller independent of ebay, the seller sends a package to a random address in the same city and zip code -- typically for the fraction of the value such as a screen protector or simply a brochue card -- and then they supply a tracking number and that's the end of it proof of delivery. A case file requires me to do the impossible: get an intranet form, contact usps and the only information USPS can in fact confirm to a receiver is it in fact did not goto my mailing address. All of this is on the buyer. And forget the part where they finally tell you to file a police report after they've closed your case with no option to appeal. Over and over, all PayPal has to do is ask the seller to prove the address and not just city and zipcode. A click and ship receipt, anything as there are several options you can do as a seller. PayPal won't even confirm that the website has a history of fraud, is a scam site. The full burden is on the buyer? If you're not aware what your credit card company will do for you - look at the due diligence by Chase, Amex, etc. Real people doing real work to identify and classify fraud. What a shame.

[kernowlass]

@fuzzyfluid 

Paypal would not be able to check every individual seller / merchant / company in over 200 countries worldwide that adds paypal to their website to accept payments.
So they give you 'some' buyer protection but the onus is on you to risk assess your transactions.

They do stop bad companies from using Paypal when enough claims start rolling in.
However as they are in China (mostly) then its easy for them to just start over with a new name, so stopping them does not really do anything.

The BEST thing is to not buy from them in the first place, to recognise them -

1. No return address on the returns policy. The site will look as if its in your country (where they despatch goods from) but they will ask for returns to go back to China (returns depot) at a shipping cost often more than the item is worth.
2. No contact telephone number. if you click on contact the most you will get is webmail or an email address.
3. Rarely company address information.
4. Great pictures of items at bargain prices that turn out to be tat.
5. Fake reviews.
6. Google and you can often see previous company names as they change them once enough claims roll in and Paypal stop them using their services and start over.