Corrupt Seller Wins Dispute; I Lose My Money

[jmuns01]

I agreed to buy a coffee maker from a seller and was sent USPS tracking information. The shipping confirmation note from the seller had my address in it but, from a conversation I had with USPS, the item was shipped to a different address. Also, the weight of the shipped item was less than a pound, way too little for a coffee maker. I disputed it and the dispute was found in favor of the seller because they provided "delivery information". After carefully reading PayPal's policy, I see that a seller merely has to provide proof that the item is delivered to the same zipcode, not the correct address.

Now I am out $85 and PayPal doesn't appear to care that this obvious scam is occurring, exploiting loopholes in their buyer protection policy.

This is clearly a scam and the seller does not respond to emails at all. PayPal has a very weak buyer protection program. I'm very disappointed and won't be using PayPal in the future.

Has anyone had a similar experience?

[kernowlass]

@jmuns01 

Paypal is just a payment processor that gives you 'some' buyer and 'some' seller protection.
So disputes for non receipt of item are mostly automated. Seller provides tracking that shows delivery = seller wins.
So then its your turn to do some work to assist Paypal in recovering your purchase price from your seller.

Firstly ring Paypal customer services and tell them that the number is fake or that the item was shown as shipped before you purchased it. With that information they may well just issue you a refund.

Secondly if they don't then... APPEAL
To submit an appeal on the dispute that was closed, PayPal asks that you obtain a detailed report from the shipper/courier (on their letterhead or some other form of official stationary) that includes the address the seller gave them for the shipment. Or one that includes a statement mentioning your address and saying the item was delivered to a different address. THEY DON'T HAVE TO SAY WHICH ADDRESS IT WAS SENT TO, JUST THAT IT WAS NOT DELIVERED TO YOUR ADDRESS.

Check tracking in below link to see where it went.
https://www.17track.net/en

When you have that, contact PayPal via phone (log on to your account and click contact at the bottom of the page, or via Facebook (send a Private Message to PayPal) or via Twitter (send a Direct Message to @AskPayPal) and say you want to appeal the denial of the dispute based on the shipper saying the item was delivered to a different address. Once it's submitted (you will be provided with directions on how to do that), the dispute will be reviewed further and a determination will be made.

You also have the option to contact your card issuer if you funded your Paypal payment that way and see if they will do a chargeback for you?

[jmuns01]

Thanks. I'll try all this. Don't know how that will result in getting my money back but it is worth a shot. Thanks!

[kernowlass]

@jmuns01 

Worked for a lot of folks, just been nice and polite when you ring.   😁

[reedg7]

I am looking around the forum to see how safe PayPal is for buying and I am finding posts like yours.  

Does USPS not require a signature for delivered goods?  If so can you see if the signature is different from yours?  I am starting to wonder if this is a loophole, for scammers, in PayPal's buyer protection programme.

[jmuns01]

Signature is not required. Even if it was, it doesn't have to be me. It can be anyone who was there to sign for it. The loophole is huge.

[showerhead]

I was issued a tracking #with someone ELSE'S name and address. It was delivered 2 days after my payment. However the seller did not send the tracking# until 2 weeks later. The same day I filed the dispute the seller.. sent the tracking# and stated that the package may take up to 25 days to be delivered. It was delivered to a company in a different zip code. Paypal never verified the tracking#. I emailed paypal a copy of the tracking information from UPS, A WEEK AGO, STILL NO REPONCE FROM PAYPAL.

[PayPal_RebeccaN]

Hi there @showerhead, 

Thank you for your post! 

I understand this must be a concerning situation. 

If a case is denied, you will have 10 days to appeal this decision for steps on this, see: How can I appeal PayPal’s decision on my case? If you can open up an appeal, please upload the information you received from UPS. 

However, if you cannot open up an appeal, I would ask that you please reach out to us. I understand you have emailed us but please see the recommended contact options below: 

To contact our Customer Service team, click 'Help' or 'Contact' at the bottom of any PayPal Webpage. 
You can also contact us via Facebook PMs or Twitter DMs. 
For Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PayPal
For Twitter: @AskPayPal

I hope this helps, have a nice day! 

Rebecca 

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