How to avoid getting scammed on paypal?

Discussion in 'PayPal' started by MiyaDV, Apr 13, 2009.

  1. #1
    Hey, a long time ago I sold a virtual item and received the money with paypal, I had him send me the money and I had him write a little message in the text along with the money [I have received the item, and no longer contact is needed with the seller] Then, after a week he filed a claim that he did not receive the digital item, (claim dispute or whatever it's called) then I wrote back in the claim that I had sent him it and he said so in the message with the money. In the end paypal refunded him all of his money, and he had the digital item.

    How do I avoid this from happening in the future? Should I not use paypal, what other services could I use besides paypal?

    Anyway I heard you should take a screenshot of an email of him saying he's received the item, but those screenshots can easily be edited... I thought the note he put in the payment he sent was a sure thing, I have no idea why it didn't work, and why he was able to take all his money back in the first place. When they send it it should be finale :S
     
    MiyaDV, Apr 13, 2009 IP
  2. terminator69

    terminator69 Notable Member

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    #2
    You should try only performing transactions with good people based on their history eg. DP itrader or eBay feedback. If you do this you won't have to rely on payment processors trying to decide who is in the right.
     
    terminator69, Apr 13, 2009 IP
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  3. HighPRDomains@cheaprates

    HighPRDomains@cheaprates Banned

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    #3
    deal with persons having verified PAYPAL accounts
     
  4. Digital_shubhi

    Digital_shubhi Illustrious Member

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    #4
    Deal with people whom you know. I generally don't trade with someone i don't know. Then i check their iTraders on DP.
    Also, its good to trade with old members of dp. :)
     
    Digital_shubhi, Apr 14, 2009 IP
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  5. mentos

    mentos Prominent Member

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    #5
    Take this as lesson to not use PP when dealing with virtual item.
    You can use swreg.org to sell virtual item
     
    mentos, Apr 14, 2009 IP
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  6. b0mb34man

    b0mb34man Peon

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    #6
    Verified PP users is a must when doing business in virtual business. I also suggest looking at feedback since this shows how credible they are.
     
    b0mb34man, Apr 14, 2009 IP
  7. RightMan

    RightMan Notable Member

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    #7
    As in any business but more so in this virtual world, always deal with people who are trust worthy and have a long standing....even if that means sacrificing a little bit on the price front.

    Regards,

    RightMan
     
    RightMan, Apr 14, 2009 IP
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  8. locux

    locux Peon

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    #8
    All good advice above.. additionally it is Paypal's policy to always refund for "virtual" products because there is no way to provide proof of delivery.

    If you can work one of the shippers in to the mix, so you have a tracking number with proof of delivery that would help, but may be costly. ie.. Send an activation key, or password via fedex letter. Do this for the unverified members at their cost maybe.
     
    locux, Apr 15, 2009 IP
  9. AaRGeE

    AaRGeE Notable Member

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    #9
    Send Paypal Invoice to your buyers!! With all Details or Use a Paypal Button and addd the download link of digital item or something in the Tracking box..

    This will not make you Win the disputes but it will help you somehow!! As the buyer will think twice!
    95% Paypal Disputes on Digital iTems goes in favour of buyer!! Thats the only part where paypal Sucks in my opinion!

    Last time I got scammed was when I sold 100 Articles to someone and he filled a dispute after 1 day!
    I had sent him a Invoice!
    I added Rapidshare Download link of all articles in the Tracking Number Box!

    After the Dispute I immediately Called Paypal and they told me to wait for 30 days! After 31st day I called paypal again and they gave me money! Most Probably because the buyer did not responded to his claim after filling a Dispute!

    above Two things may help as well!!

    Best Regards
    RG
     
    AaRGeE, Apr 15, 2009 IP
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  10. joebert

    joebert Well-Known Member

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    #10
    Burn the digital items to disk, mail disk via certified mail they have to sign for.

    They can't say they didn't recieve what they signed for.
     
    joebert, Apr 15, 2009 IP
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  11. cool_78

    cool_78 Guest

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    #11
    It's hard to totally avoid it. The best way it to deal with only verified account holders.
     
    cool_78, Apr 15, 2009 IP
  12. Cathy L

    Cathy L Peon

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    #12
    If you are verified member, then can customers still take the money back after 24hrs. I have personally never had a claim filed on me, but lost money once after the guy's bank somehow rejected the transaction, 30 days after sale occurred. I think it was a pay pal problem, because they put the money in my account and cleared it to begin with.
     
    Cathy L, Apr 16, 2009 IP
  13. rikin

    rikin Peon

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    #13
    90% of online buyers of virtual items are scammers. Just remember that. Only deal with trusted people.
     
    rikin, Apr 16, 2009 IP
  14. easyhost

    easyhost Peon

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    #14
    Paypal and eBays (same company) policies always work in the favour of scammers, so beware
     
    easyhost, Apr 16, 2009 IP
  15. harrisunderwork

    harrisunderwork Well-Known Member

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    #15
    Paypal is a sort of relied on buyers only and not sellers because every transaction a buyer commits , they have their commissions. So they are sort of partial to them.
     
    harrisunderwork, Apr 16, 2009 IP
  16. OldEgold

    OldEgold Peon

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    #16
    yes u r right :) if u take screenshot of the email which they sent u about confirmation .. u should show that to PayPal
     
    OldEgold, Apr 16, 2009 IP
  17. Kamal42

    Kamal42 Active Member

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    #17
    I have encountered exactly the same problem and this was the first time I ever sold anything on the internet and this was the first payment I received via paypal. I sold $500 worth of CPC traffics to this guy which he ordered via my website and I delivered them digitally.

    Five days later I get an E-mail from paypal saying that the customer has asked for a refund therefore paypal will freeze the payment and will investigate. About 15 days later paypal informed me they have refund the money to the customer with out any valid reason.

    I have learned my lesson the hard way so if anyone makes a large order via paypal what I do is I post the customer a receipt via currier so that they can get a signature at the other end and also I can provide tracking code to paypal when there is a dispute.
     
    Kamal42, Apr 16, 2009 IP
  18. Ritz100

    Ritz100 Greenhorn

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    #18
    You are all starting to scare me.:eek: I have a great domain name for sale and was going to do it via DP using PP. How the hell am I gonna ensure that the buyer doesnt dispute? I am in a desperate situation and that money would pay my rent right now, if some scumbag scams me, it'll put me on the street. Give me some clues someone, please!
     
    Ritz100, Apr 17, 2009 IP
  19. WarezoPedia

    WarezoPedia Peon

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    #19
    always deal with trusted people check the iTrader if its good then deal with him for high transactions

    for lower transactions then check his posts and see iTrader if he has some then deal with him.
     
    WarezoPedia, Apr 17, 2009 IP