DON’T USE PAYPAL FOR PURCHASES OVER $250. YOU HAVE MORE PROTECTION USING A CREDIT CARD FOR MAJOR PURECHASES INSTEAD. THE PAYPAL BUYER PROTECTION IS A MYTH!!!!!!!!!!! I would like to inform this forum’s readers of my dissatisfaction with Paypal’s buyer protection policy and execution. I had recently purchased a delicate medical instrument online using Paypal as a form of payment. The instrument was purchased for $2300.00. The item was received in damaged condition likely due to the inadequate shipping packaging done by the seller. Upon receiving the item, the seller was notified of the damaged item. The seller instructed me to submit a shipping damage claim to UPS. The item was picked up by UPS in its original shipping packaging. UPS then examined the item and returned it to the seller’s business address on file at UPS. The seller had instructed UPS to deliver items without need for signature confirmation of delivery. The seller denied receiving the item despite UPS documenting the tracking and delivery of the item back to the seller. I, as the buyer, was unable to file a lost item claim. UPS informed me that only the original shipper, in this case, the seller, could file a lost item claim. The seller refused to file a lost item claim. I was concerned regarding communication with the seller and his comments which I felt seemed inappropriate and not very “buyer friendly” nor in good faith. I therefore filed a dispute with Paypal and then elevated to a claim due to the seller inaction. Unfortunately Paypal’s requirement for refunding items over $250 is documentation of a digital signature of receipt of the item by the seller visible online. Because the seller informed UPS to delivery items without a signature being needed, no digital signature was obtained by UPS when the returned item was delivered to the seller's address. UPS had a signature from our office when they picked it up from our office and however delivered it to the shipper without a digital signature. Due to the lack of digital signature of receipt by the seller, Paypal has denied my request for refund. If I would have been aware of this, I would have insisted on UPS obtaining that digital signature. If I would have known that Pay Pal would not provide me sufficient purchase dispute, I would rather have paid for the purchase with a credit card instead. I had followed the seller’s protocol for resolving the damage issue. He says he does not have the item nor does not know where it is. I called UPS if I could file a lost item claim as the original recipient of the package. I was told only the shipper could file a lost item claim. I asked the seller/shipper to immediately notify UPS and file a lost item claim, if he had not received the item. I also asked for proof of the submission of the lost item once filed. I informed him that, I as the original recipient of the damaged parcel cannot submit a lost item claim through UPS, and only he being the shipper can do so. He informed me that in reality once the case was closed by Paypal, it is done…and per his email, he is “not in the picture anymore.” Unfortunately Paypal failed to protect me the buyer and allowed a dishonest seller keep the $2300 and the returned item which I paid for. I feel that I would have been much better protected by using my credit card to pay for the purchase. I have never had a problem resolving a disputed purchase when I used my VISA card or Discover card. I have much more protection when I use those credit cards. Paypal offered me little to no protection in this purchase and ultimately the disputed claims process failed me miserably.
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