I have been using PayPal because I thought it offer some protection on purchases. Unfortunately that is not true. I came across an offer, which did seem to good to be true. But I thought if I made the purchase using PayPal I would have some protection. I placed the order. And the item that was received from China, was not the item ordered. I contacted seller as suggested by PayPal. No response. I then filed a complaint with PayPal for a "bait and Switch" scheme. Dispute was opened. PayPal contacts me and says seller has agreed to a refund if I return the item. I explained that the state I live in provides that if something is delivered by mail that was not ordered, it does not have to be returned, but I would return the item. Now if I had not known that the package I received could not have possibly been what I ordered and opened the package it would have been at least $17 for return postage. I took the parcel to the Post Office and refused delivery. Took a picture of it being returned. USPS Tracking show items refused and being returned to sender. Then I began to wait. I would check with PayPal regularly . The decision date kept being set back with comments that information from the seller was being reviewed. That happened at least twice. Then yesterday I received notification my claim was denied: "This decision was made because we did not receive valid proof or tracking that you returned the merchandise.". I don't know if they checked the tracking number or not, but I do not know what more I could have done, having no control once the package was placed in the mail. This seems to be PayPals standard fall back position. If fraud is reported, the seller only has to offer a refund if the item is returned. I have seen other posts with folks in the same position, who had opened their packages and then were looking at paying almost as much in postage as the item in dispute. PayPal seems to take the no harm no foul approach, but this just lets unscruplus sellers offer scam sales, knowing the vast majority of victims will not spend more money to return the items. This allows PayPal to deny (read refund) claims for fraud on a totally unrelated basis. Upon receiving the denial I went and checked "My PayPal" to see what the next step in the process might be, to get back to the issue of fraud. There is no thing there. It is as if this never occurred. My text conversation with customer service, gone. So, appears I was incorrect about PayPal offering some protection. Looking for an alternative !
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