I was scammed by a seller who has since taken down his website. I ordered a bicycle for $89.75. I received a notice from PayPal that the seller had updated delivery info with a USPS tracking number. The tracking number says it was delivered on June 17. It was not. I opened a case through the resolution center and escalated it to a claim after a couple of days. Obviously, the seller did not respond to the claim. It was rejected by Paypal, I assume on the basis that the tracking number shows it as delivered, but they did not give an explanation as to why it was rejected.
I contacted USPS and they told me the item on the tracking number was delivered, but to a different address than mine and the item was 14 oz or less (obviously not a bicycle). Unfortunately they will not give me the address to which it was actually delivered. I asked for something in writing from the USPS saying the item was not delivered to me, but I don't think they are going to do that. I filed a police report and am in the process of filing a mail fraud claim with USPS.
I tried to resubmit the claim to PayPal, but I keep getting the message "can't file this type of claim for this transaction", I assume because it was rejected before. I tried calling PayPal, and after successfully managing through their voice prompts, I got a recorded message saying because of Covid-19 their call center is closed. This in itself is disturbing, but I won't go there. I did receive an e-mail from a no-reply email address at PayPal saying thanks forcalling, but if you have a problem file a case with the resolution center.
I filed a "stop payment" with the credit card, and they are currently researching it, but I suspect it will be denied when PayPal feeds back to them that the item was delivered.
So, I seem to be stuck. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. And, yes, I already know that I am stupid and I should have been more careful and checked the credentials of the seller before ordering. Mea culpa. I thought I was protected by ordering through PayPal. I was naïve in that assumption.
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