How to handle being scammed

[mmonroe23]

I recently paid for an item that was supposed to be a electronics super mystery box, after shipping I had paid close to $47.00. I waited about 1 1/2 months to get the item, and finally got the box which was about the size of a family size box of matches. So, I knew right away this had to be a scam, I opened the box to discover that I was sent a pair of apple branded lightning ear pods, the same ones you get when you buy an iPhone. There is no way this was legit, I have filed a dispute and am waiting on the out come. What do you think will happen? The seller said not all boxes come with items that you paid for and some come with items worth $140.00 I just feel like I was scammed and they're making excuses to not issue me a refund. The website states that you can return the item within 30 days after purchase, but told me it's been over 30 days since the item left their warehouse in China. They knew it would take about a month or longer, they had to. They sent me a return address and told me the shipping cost would be more than what I paid. I checked and the cheapest I could find was almost 28.00 for shipping. What would you do if you were me?

[kernowlass]

@mmonroe23 

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

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.

How do I open a dispute with a seller when a purchase goes wrong?

You can open a dispute in the Resolution Centre of your PayPal account within 180 days of payment if:
•You don’t receive the item OR service
•You receive an item but it’s significantly different than the description on eBay or on the seller’s website (or you receive a totally different product).

By opening a dispute, you can communicate directly with your seller to work out a problem transaction.

If you reach an agreement with the seller you can close the dispute. If you're still not happy with the result, you can escalate the dispute into a claim. Paypal will review the claim and decide on reimbursement.

These steps apply to Personal accounts. If you have a Business account, please log in to see the steps that apply to you.

To open a dispute:
1.Log in to your PayPal account.
2. Click on the transaction and use the resolve a problem option at the bottom of that details page.

Note:
•Generally buyers must wait at least 7 days from the date of payment to escalate a dispute for an item not received
•Where an item has not been received, please ensure you have given the seller enough time before opening a dispute

Do not close the dispute until you have a refund or your item.
If a seller states that they can't refund until you have closed the dispute don't believe them.
Escalate the dispute to a claim within 20 days (before it times out), if you need Paypal to get involved.

If the item arrives and its not what you ordered / not as described then make sure you change the dispute quickly from non receipt. If the dispute times out before you can change it then contact customer services to open a second dispute for the new reason.

Activate the below link in case you have to return the item at Paypals request (or the correct one for your country as this is the U.S link).
https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/returns

If that does not work then if you funded your paypal payment via a card then contact your card issuer and see if they will issue a chargeback.