How does ordering through Pay Pal help the consumer?

[Sunny635]

Ok so when ordering from certain websites we all get a little apprehensive about things. When I see the PayPal payment option I am like great because if things go bad hopefully they can catch it and refund my request. There have bee 3 times I have ordered stuff and things never reached me or item was not what in add. This last ordeal cut me out 3  bucks. I ordered a mini ice maker and I got a freaking mini ice tray all the way from China  some where that was not America. For me to dispute it I had to jump through a few hoops to find out I had to mail item back but not to the California suite number but over seas to China to get my money back. they offered me 13 dollars to settle but I wanted my full amount. The cost to sent it was 28 bucks I was like no way by the time I do that and it doesn't get to them by the specific date Ill be out more money. How does one know when they see a PayPal add at bottom for a offer that it would be fraudulent? I don't know if it is easier through PayPal or just using my an card only?

[kernowlass · Accepted solution]

@Sunny635 

Chinese Web Sites or on Social Media ads easy to spot (once you know the below signs) so buyer beware.

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.
7. Send fake tracking numbers to win item non receipt of item claims.


In the event of a dispute you choose your seller and not Paypal so you need to bear in mind possible return trackable costs before you go ahead and buy from that seller / country.

Paypal state this >>
IMPORTANT: You may be required to return the item to the seller or other party we specify as part of the settlement of your claim. PayPal Buyer Protection does not entitle you to reimbursement for the return shipping costs that you may incur.

Although they will compensate you for some of the cost if you have activated this at some point before you made that transaction.
https://www.paypal.com/us/smarthelp/article/FAQ3544

You also have the option to do a chargeback via your card issuer instead of a Paypal dispute if you funded your Paypal payment via a credit card.