AHH Paypal!!!!

[Richard1989]

Possibly the most frustrating few weeks of my life!

Does anyone know any other ways around this:

The back story is my partner had her iPhone stolen when she was out one night, and as a surprise for her i was attempting to buy her another one.

*ding* lets look on ebay!

So i buy what looks like a legit auction for an iPhone 4s, and shocker shocker, it was a scam.

I immediately put in a dispute and raised it to a claim via paypal, put in the fact that all the seller did was sell me a link to the apple store for where to buy an iPhone.

In my claim i wrote down that the seller does not own the link to sell it in the first place, and the auction was misleading to make buyers believe it was a legit auction for an iPhone 4s.

A few weeks go by and paypal have decided in the sellers favour, saying they cannot do anything about it because the item is "intangible".

I have filed a complaint with paypal, very frustrated and pointing out the item is clearly intangible because it was a scam and he does not own the item.

But is there any other way i could get my money back? I was looking around the internet and apparently debit cards can offer chargebacks now if it is a visa debit, has anyone had any experience of this?

Even eBay had removed the listing shortly after receiving disputes of several people, and i have had communication with one telling me he was waiting for his money back too!

 

[OldWelshGuy]

go to your bank tell them it was an unauthorised transaction HOWEVER... paypal will most likely then get shirty and close your account completely.

Paypal = law unto themselves

 

[RevaxMedia]

That's the issue with paypal they are the judge and jury and half the time I think they just guess - any normal human being would realize these auctions are a scam. Did you check their feedback? or do you have a link to the auction? I would also report them to the ASA if it's misleading. How much did you pay if you dont mind me asking?

 

[Richard1989]

Yeah his feedback was 100% positive, it was low, but he had some large sells on there such as an alienware PC for about 500 pounds and it was given positive feedback too. It was i think 57 positive.

The auction was closed by eBay so even if i did provide a link there would be nothing there anyway.

I thought i was getting a bargain so it was £350. The scam happened to 5 other users and I have been in contact with one who said he got the same feedback given by paypal saying the item is intangible, and because the seller wrote in very small writing that you are buying a link to where to buy the phone, he can get away with it.

I phoned paypal today and they said he agrees it is very sneaky and they will look further into his account but at this time there is nothing they can do.

What is the ASA? The other eBay user recommended phoning the police online fraud unit, i dont know whether that will make any difference though?

 

[faradaykeynes]

Paypal is crap, sorry to hear your story, I went through lot of suffering bcaz of this sense less paypal. Ebay/paypal part of same company

 

[10032012]

Contact Trading Standards and OFT.

Paypal normally always ever sides with the seller for some reason (its the difference between them receiving a fee and not... )

Did you really not check the small print? In effect you agreed with the seller the £350 bounty for providing the service of giving you a link... be more careful! I am not sure the legalities of this... I am sure its LEGAL as a one-off but I think if it was intended to be misleading with DISHONESTY then its surely will be ILLEGAL. As we know you are not the only one involved in this scam.

Well... ebay will cycle these types of scams... why would they pull the advert? Seems ebay had some bad intent and they do not mind profiting from people being ripped off. ebay is just a middleman for buyers and sellers... they are the venue and hold no responsibility... blah blah... thats all nonsense... it seems ebay is in part involved in the scam and happy to allow them to happen to profit from it.

 

[ScottishInvestments]

It's a difficult one. It does, however, state that you're buying a link to a site, NOT an iPhone. Maybe take more care next time?


It's your fault, I must admit. But hopefully PayPal do something.

Scott

 

[OldWelshGuy]

You can bet your backside that they took their fees though

 

[Richard1989]

Yeah theres no question it is my fault for not being more careful, usually i dont buy anything from ebay anyway and after this will probably be the last time to be honest.

Im hoping there will be something my bank can do about it because apparently the banks do not take into account tangible or intangible items.

Surely though because he is selling a link to a website he does not own, its not his "property" to sell because it belongs to apple? Or does that come under him selling information and being smart about it?

 

[mickeym]

I feel really bad for you Richard.

As most have said, it is probably legal for him to note that he is providing a link not the phone in the smallprint but it really is out of order.

How people can do things like that with an apparently clear concious is beyond me!

 

[raineshoe]

Can sympathise with you. Also really annoying as Paypal usually without doubt side with the buyer. Seller must be giving them good money in fees is all I can say.

 

[Richard1989]

How people can do things like that with an apparently clear concious is beyond me!

Tell me about it, i could never do that to anyone, and especially not 5 people!

Also really annoying as Paypal usually without doubt side with the buyer.

Yeah i remember when i was much younger i was into the whole online gaming thing, and i sold some "virtual" goods, which were delivered and all, but paypal sided with the buyer straight away, seems like either way i lose! Paypal must have a grudge against me lol

 

[lss]

I really would chase this up because ebay apparently states that sellers are not al;owed to sell 'intangible' items on ebay, they must be physical! Let us know how you get on now you have these details!

 

[lynxus]

OH man, Id be ringing them daily demanding to talk to their manager.
EVERY DAMN DAY id do it.

Id probably also contact the police

Then spend the rest of my life trying to locate the guy who sold it me so I could go round and get my money back via a bat.

 

[Richard1989]

After the last two posts, i decided to look up on the internet about ebays policies regarding selling links, delivery of them etc, and i did find some useful information.

Took me a while to find it and piece it all together, then suddenly i checked my email and i had an email from the seller with a big apology saying his paypal and ebay got hacked and someone had used his account to make these auctions, but he money was still in his paypal. He also said he is contacting the police regarding this and has an interview with them tomorrow and will keep us updated.

I checked my paypal and sure enough it was on there as a refund. I cannot believe my luck to be honest..

 

[lss]

brilliant! Top stuff pleased could be of help! Dont for get to share the refund and leave a thanks on the comment lol

 

[oliver123]

Which is why I avoid using PayPal like the plague as well as eBay