Hello. On the 16th of February I paid quite a large sum of money for a coded arcade design. He said he would have a simple mockup within two days (the 18th of February) but then he said he was too busy with jobs and it would be a few days late. Now he doesn't reply to my MSN contacts or emails and he doesn't answer his phone. I have opened a dispute at PayPal and I know around 4 other people who paid for design work that have also opened a dispute. How much chance is there that I will get my money back from PayPal? Also, if I don't, then will I get banned from PayPal or anything if I charge back from my credit card? Thanks Calum
Don't worry, PayPal will not ban you if you could not get your money back. But, as if your dispute could not go successful with PayPal (try to get the charge back to you with PayPal first then call the bank / credit card company later), you can also contact your bank or your credit card company to get the money back from there (do this step second). Let me break it down. Firstly, try to get everything that you could, whatever information regarding the transaction between you and the other party; anything. Provide as much infos to PayPal as possible. Only move to second step / method ONLY if you could not get your money back via PayPal. Secondly, call your bank or your credit card company, tell them what's up. They should be able to help you get your money back. Happened to me some times ago, a few years back, I sold a NOKIA 8800 phone on eBay, the buyer paid for the item, I shipped the phone to PayPal's Confirmed address. I shipped via UPS and the item arrived to its destination. Not so long afterwards, I received dispute for "Unauthorized" transaction. The buyer apparently filed a dispute through PayPal and through bank / credit card company as well. I was so pissed off, fortunately, I have obtained every documentations, so, I went to UPS and filed a claim with them, explained the situation, such and such ... UPS sent the driver to that address but somehow, could not find or could not locate that item anymore, hmmmm ... So, UPS refunded my money and PayPal eventually refunded my money on PayPal's account. It was win-win for me, fortunately. The point I am trying to make is that, obtain as much infos between you and the other party as necessary. Do not worry, you will not get banned from PayPal. Good luck!!! Sincerely, Musashi
Thanks, my credit card company will definetly charge back if needed, I have quite a good credit rating so they like me, they like me so much they blocked my holiday plane tickets because they thought that they were fraud. Anyway, I will wait for this guy to reply, if he doesn't I will ask PayPal for a refund and if I don't I will chargeback at my cc company. However, if I charge back from my credit card are you sure that PayPal wont just take it out of my account?
Hard lesson learned but always make a contract and never pay 100% full. Pay 10% upfront and the rest at completion or net dates for the release of funds. Sorry to hear about your woes. Now in regard to paypal, if he does not reply within 5 days you will win automatically. Chances are they won't.