Scammed Via paypal

[Joshua1420]

I ordered a product through an online store (Chinese). According to the site, the store was closing down, hence the HEAVILY discounted prices. The seller verified my payment, and showed my parcel as "awaiting shipment". I then received an email from Paypal which provided a tracking ID as well as saying that the item was shipped. When I enter the tracking ID on international tracking websites, they cannot find my parcel (for 10 days now).  I have emailed the two email addresses associated with the store, and the emails have not even gone through. The online store is also now unavailable, website is down. Everything is screaming SCAM.

Unfortunately, when I placed the order, I did not have a Paypal account and therefore it is not recorded on my (now) account under activity, hence i am unable to dispute the payment via the resolution centre.

I do, however, have a transaction ID from Paypal, though this doesn't seem to help much as the payment is not recorded on my Paypal account (created after payment was done).

I am just trying to get my money back.

I know my situation is unique in the sense that I did not have a Paypal account when paying.

Please help!

[kernowlass]

@Joshua1420 

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.

If you bought something online with a debit or credit card and didn't log into your Paypal account then of course it won't show on that Paypal account because you bought as a guest buyer.

You don't have Paypal buyer protection cover as a guest buyer but you can contact customer services and they may be able to assist you by reaching out to the seller for you.
So If you need help for a guest buyer transaction then you can;

1. Phone Paypal customer services and see if they will help you.
OR
2. Contact your card issuer for a chargeback.