Hello, I'm new to this forum but have encountered several posts on Digital Point concerning refunds through PayPal. I recently bought a PS3 for $220 on craigslist and the guy told me to send the payment through Paypal which I thought was a safe method as in I could get my money back if the guy did not send me the item. Well I sent the payment and a day later the guy says his roomate sold it and he would give me a refund. He told me to start a dispute on Paypal and I did, and then he told me to escalte the dispute. I questioned why I needed to do that because I know sellers have the option of giving a refund without me escalating the dispute. I certainly began thinking I got scammed and I later checked his Paypal account was not verified. I thought they all were. His excuse of not being able to give me a refund is that "I cannot access my account for some reason" which isn't a convincing excuse. He also says he still has the money I sent him in his Paypal account and after 10 days Paypal will take it back. I don't believe him. Well I called Paypal and they escalated the dispute and I also called my bank and told them to start a claim. Both will take around 10 days. Do you guys expect me to get a refund or am I out of the $220?
Avoid buying goods from Classifieds Ads. Stick with eBay and all the other trustworthy e commerce sites
Avoid using PayPal for any amount of money you're not willing to part with. But, it's entirely possible he's not able to access his account, PayPal limits unverified accounts for large amounts of money transferred or a high total amount until it's verified. That could have happened. However, I don't really understand why anyone would use CraigsList TBH. I bought something off there and lost out on $20. The bank will probably not give you the money back unless you used your credit card on PayPal, at which point it will be a chargeback. PayPal may or may not give you your money back. Make sure you forward the emails he sent you to PayPal.
Hi! Scammers are taking people for so much these days. I don't even use eBay anymore..it's just not worth it. I know it is tempting to "trust" a service like Paypal. The simple fact is I don't totally trust Paypal itself...and I very good reasons for doing so. It is a fact they have really begun to be as serious about this as they should have been two-three years ago. They will hold funds..and they will do whatever it takes to make sure they don't get taken. The problem is simple: They really don't care about you as a buyer. They don't care if you paid for something and didn't get it. I've seen it played out time and again. Example: A scammer takes a mark for something..say..$200 for a PS3. Ok..the problem is on his/her end..they withdrew the funds. They got the money and it's gone. Ok..you file a dispute..even if you win..Paypal's going to tell you there was no money in their account and they can't give you a dime. The problem is simple: Paypal did not do their job and check out the seller like they should have done in the first place. it's too easy to open a Paypal account...even if they've had one closed for abuse. I know of several cases in it took paypal a few days to realize this is the same person. By that time..yup..you guessed it...they've scammed someone else. >>>Don't get me wrong..I would not want Paypal's job. They are expected to transfer funds and both parties expect those funds to be instantly available. What if the buyer paid with a credit card? That buyer may be a scammer him/herself and do a chargeback 50 days down the road even though the seller shipped the item and did his/her part. Trust me..I would not want to be Paypal. If I need something...I go to Walmart (or wherever) and get it. Period. Bryon
I would strongly recommend skiping paypal dispute and file a claim with your Credit Card company or Bank depending on which method you used.