Just Got Ripped off Via Paypal.

[::::BASSIST::::]

I bought a crate powerblock off a seller in Florida thru craigslist. Basically, I exchanged about 3 or 4 emails with her and then once I actually transferred the funds to her account I never heard from her again. I thought I'd be safe because I paid through paypal. Not so.

From paypal's resolution centre:

We have decided in your favor, however, we were unable to recover any funds
from the seller's account. As stated in the PayPal User Agreement, recovery
of funds associated with a Buyer Complaint cannot be guaranteed.

Luckily it was not a huge some of money, but still $140usd is nothing to sneeze at.

Definitely learned my lesson and will be much more vigilant about preventing this from happening again in the future.

Not sure if I should post the seller's name and email.

Anyone have any suggestions how to get my money back?

[Steve]

Where in Florida?

[::::BASSIST::::]

Not sure. I wonder if paypal would give me her address. Somehow I doubt it.

[rcarraher]

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

I bought a crate powerblock off a seller in Florida thru craigslist. Basically, I exchanged about 3 or 4 emails with her and then once I actually transferred the funds to her account I never heard from her again. I thought I'd be safe because I paid through paypal. Not so.

From paypal's resolution centre:


Luckily it was not a huge some of money, but still $140usd is nothing to sneeze at.

Definitely learned my lesson and will be much more vigilant about preventing this from happening again in the future.

Not sure if I should post the seller's name and email.

Anyone have any suggestions how to get my money back?

I never do a CL transaction that isn't face to face. With E-Bay using PayPal, you have more protection, but with CL, you just have PP and if they get scammed, you get scammed. As for getting your money back....road trip to Fla. ? It is summer....

[Chunk-O-Funk]

From my own experience with paypal and all the stories of fraud I hear I'm surprised they're still in business.

Not too much you can do about, from what I know. Paypal outside of ebay and you're pretty much on your own. It's simply easier for paypal to write you off then do anything about it.
Have you talked to anybody in paypal's resolution department? Dealing with the regular customer service reps will get you nowhere.

The only other thing you can do is try and get her (if it is even a "her") personal information. Do you know anybody in Florida?

[::::BASSIST::::]

I know a guy in Seattle? Does that count?

Seriously though, I've done well over 100 internet transactions and this is the first time I've had a problem.

[Stinsok]

Bypass the dispute and escalate it to a claim immediately.

[::::BASSIST::::]

I already did that.

This is the final outcome:

"Please know that we will make our best effort to recover the funds in
question if they become available in the seller's account in the future and
will take appropriate action against the seller."

What to Do Next
-----------------------------------

This case is now closed. No further action is required by you at this time.

[rustynuts]

Did you pay with funds in your PayPal account or with a credit card?

[::::BASSIST::::]

Funds in my account. Wish I would have used my cc then I could have gotten the money back thru my card.

I just sent paypal an email:


"Referring to transaction # ***************

I'm quite angry that paypal has failed to protect me from fraud. Your whole organization claims to be about security. Yet when it comes down it, you failed to protect my money. So what's the point of your organization then? Oh let me guess.... you guys make money "pretending" to provide a secure service. Sure you'll take the inflated fees and exchange rates, but you DO NOT provide a secure method of transferring funds.

What do I expect from you now? I expect that you would refund my fees and the exchange rate amount, which is about $20usd total. You cannot charge me a fee for a service you did not provide."

I know its pretty much pointless. I am quite sure I wont see a dime.

[Steveaux]

Sucks.

Wanna borrow my hammer ???

[SpamBot]

Craigslist is for selling.
eBay is for buying.

I've lived by this mantra for years and never has it done me wrong.

[rcarraher]

Originally Posted by rustynuts

Did you pay with funds in your PayPal account or with a credit card?

Yeah! This is important, if it was YOUR credit card, you may have the CC Company go after them as well. Sounds like what happened is your seller opened a PP acct. with questionable funding source, then sold you a bill of goods, now that you want your money back PP can only wait for the dirty rotten scondrel to actually deposit money in the source for their PP acct. Like thats goin' to happen....

[thobbinghotrod]

Sue PayPal. I've always hated that scam of a business.

[RWP]

Selling with Paypal is even worse. They will side with the buyer just about every time even if the buyer is at fault. I shipped an item to Italy once, never again, the buyer refused to pay his countries import duties, and well, you guessed it. Paypal refunded his money leaving my item stuck in customs never to be seen again. Reason.... I didn't get the item to him. I suspect after he got his money back from me, he then went to customs, paid the fees and got the item anyway.

[bassrique]

Do you have any info on this FL person? Phone? Anything?

[Muusers]

I call roadtrip!

[allexcosta]

Craigslist is FACE TO FACE, every time, no exceptions... Yeah, if you find the address, post it here. Might me close to me...

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by allexcosta

Craigslist is FACE TO FACE, every time, no exceptions... Yeah, if you find the address, post it here. Might me close to me...

+1 Craigslist was intended to be a local (Buylines) buy & sell. I hope you get this resolved though!

[MJ5150]

There are plenty of TB'ers in Florida. You can get your money back if you really want it.

-Mike