Scammer

[pmk7541]

I purchased an item on fb. I was able to pay with PayPal which made me feel secure in the purchase. I received a package a couple weeks later that was nothing like what I purchased. I disputed the transaction with PayPal.  The seller then offered a full refund if I returned the package - to China! Shipping to China is outrageous and not only that but the item was shipped to me from California. This is the scam! They take your money, send a fake item, then say return to China knowing in most cases the buyer is not going to do that. I expected more from PayPal.   They can see this is a scam and should protect the buyer as promised.  I no longer feel safe using PayPal. 

[kernowlass]

@pmk7541 

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.

[pmk7541 · Accepted solution]

I see you respond to every complaint. Well fact is, I expected more from PayPal.  I showed with my dispute this company website plainly says shipping from California.  Not only that the fake product I received had a return address shipped from California.  PayPal should take care of the consumer when it's obvious we've been scammed. It's why we use PayPal. But ive read now how widespread this scam is and PayPal makes too much money from these buyers. So please dont respond with your usual PayPal defense. Ive seen it on several comments already.

[kernowlass]

@pmk7541 

I don't have to defend them, I just give you the facts as to how paypal works, and paypal can't possibly protect both buyer and seller, so you both have 'some' buyer and 'some' seller protection and the rest is up to you to risk assess your transactions.

These scam websites 'ship' from loads of countries, but its the RETURN address you need to check as the returns depot is normally in China and you can recognise those sites using the info that I gave you above.

So, you're welcome to my advice on:

how to spot the scam sites.

what buyer protection covers you for on returns.

how to activate the return shipping option.

the credit card option if you choose to go down that route and have funded your paypal payment that way. 

Really glad I gave up my time to respond to your post and try and help you.

Off to help some 'nice' posters now, bye and have a great day.

[bege90]

I provided pay pal with all of the fraudulent info.... fake FB info and they did not give me a receipt.  I also tried to cancel.  The USPS tracking was a joke but I was told it "delivered".  I would like to know where because it was not at my house.  I purchased from someone with an email address but my delivery receipt said it was from Amazon.  I don' t know why Pay Pal does not look at this.  People scamming and providing fake info.  A delivery receipt is not proof.