#items not received - paid over 3 weeks ago

[allfortheanimal]

Hi

Over 3 weeks ago, I paid for some items on Shpock by PayPal, plus postage.  Unfortunately I used the family & friends option as I did not want to incur further fees.  The person agreed to post them and to provide a tracking number.  A week later, I still hadn't received item so I contacted them again. They didn't answer my message so I had to 'ask a question' on one of their other current items they were selling (they soon came back to me!)  Seller apologised saying she'd had a dreadful week but promised to post them by the Saturday.  A week later, still nothing so I contacted her again and asked for the tracking number, or, for her to give me a full refund if she hadn't posted them and re-advertise as local collect only if she was having problems posting items. Again, I had to post a question on a current item she was selling before she came back to me.  She said she had already posted them, had put in £2 for my inconvenience and asked me to let her know when they have arrived.  Still no tracking number.  Over a week later, no items, no tracking number and seller isn't responding to my messages or to those left on her current selling items.  I have noticed that another person has also put comments on a current item, referring to an item they had paid for 2 weeks ago and not received.  I contacted Shpock to report and they said they are dealing with it (but didn't say how) and I have now sent the seller a PayPal invoice and advised her that if I don't receive a refund or proof that she has posted the items within 7 days, that I would contact the Police as it was fraud to take money with no intention of providing what has been paid for. Is there anything else I can do? Thanks in advance.  I can't  

[kernowlass]

@allfortheanimal

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.
On the other hand, 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 his paypal fees and negates your buyer protection at the same time.
You also risk having your account limited for using this option when you are purchasing goods.

Your only hope is if you funded your paypal payment via a credit card then contact your card issuer and see if they will help you.

Unfortunately as you sent a 'gift' of money (by using that option) your c.c. company may not see it as a goods transaction either.

Equally the police will not be interested as its a civil and not criminal matter and again you sent a 'gift' of money, if you wanted goods back and were paying for something you would have used the goods / services option.