Refund for no received items

[MrBee2]

Hi, I responded to an advert on Facebook for live animals as pets (they were exotic frogs!), and I sent payment by PayPal, but sent it as a friend not as a purchase, as requested by the seller. But since then, the seller ignored my messages to collect the livestock and has now blocked me. I reported it by the PayPal dispute method, the only option that the website gave me to choose was “unauthorised transaction”. PayPal has rejected my claim as the transaction was not unauthorised. Is there anything I can do to get my £40 back?

[kernowlass · Accepted solution]

@MrBee2 

A friends / family (or gift payment) is intended as a transfer of funds from family or friends to one another. For this reason, there is no processing fee when payment is made with bank or PayPal balance.
However as it is a gift payment, there is also no Buyer protection as no goods or services should have been exchanged.

If he was not a close mate or family member you should never use that option as it enables the seller to evade paying his paypal fees and negates your buyer protection at the same time. You would also not be able to open a dispute apart from one citing an unauthorised transaction but that would be automatically closed as you did authorise the initial payment.

You also 'risk' having your account limited as using that option for purchasing goods is against Paypal rules.

If you funded your paypal payment via a credit card then contact your card issuer and see if they will help you but unfortunately they may decline as well as it was a gift payment.

[Vonniep]

I ordered a kneeler and I didn’t receive it. The only thing I received was the little  bag that was to go on it and that came after I did my claim.  If I return the item I will get my refund. It is to be mailed to an address in China. That would probably cost me more than the refund. How do I get my refund?