PayPal Resolution Policy - A true disappointing resolution to "Un-Sealed Supplement" dispute.

We descided we were going to try HYDROXYCUT HARDCORE. We found a highly reputable supplement provider on ebay. His prices were reasonable and he boasted  ove r 21000 feedbacks. The auction we purchased was advertised as : MUSCLETECH HYDROXYCUT HARDCORE, SIZE: 210 CAPSULES, NEW, FRESH, SEALED, EXPIRATION DATE: JAN 2010. Buy it Now $43.95 + shipping $7.95 - first class mail.

Purchased October 2, 2007, we received our the supplements October 9th.  We opened the package to find the bottle had no plastic safety / freshness seal around the lid, when we took the cap off, the inner seal was ripped open and the cotton was jostled. So, of course I/we contact the seller immediately to explain the situation. We just wanted what we paid for, not the moon and stars. His reply days later only stated that the inner seal must have come un-glued in the heat of the shipment???? (It was ripped and there was no exterior seal either???)

We examined both the auction and the supplements to compare what we received: WE RECEIVED A USED, OPEN, UNSEALED, CONTAMINATED BOTTLE OF HYDROXYCUT HARDCORE WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE OF MARCH 2009. We did not count or touch the pills...who knows what was going on there in todays world!!!!

PASS THE BUCK! -Ebay shuffled me to Ebay Express who shuffled the situation as protocal to PayPal. Upon following all of what Ebay Express Live Chat lady had to say, we filed a dispute under the terms: ITEM NOT AS DESCRIBED.

Days passed, PayPal replies with an award of a "PARTIAL REFUND, details- LESS SHIPPING, PAYPAL FEES, RETURN SHIPPING COSTS OF PRODUCT, AND WE'D HAVE TO PAY FOR THE SHIPPING OF EXCHANGED SUPPLEMENTS...An actual calculation of shipping expenses totalling $31.80...for a $43 dollar product.

PERPLEXED- PayPal's buyers protection up to $2000. link doesn't work to boot. To click on it, it directs you to a window asking you to click on another link to try again...but it doesn't go anywhere.

So BEWARE AND BE AWARE that the policies aren't all you'd think they should be, they don't always protect the honest buyer and this sitation is a prime example of poor business practices.

SOLUTION NEGOTIATION TIPS - Problem solving isn't easy for some however when you remain vigilant that its your customer who keeps you in business....I think most find a way. A simple respsonse to your customers auction complaint can be as simple as this reply: I'm sorry you are not happy with your auction, please tell me what would make you happy and how we can make this right? Do you want a refund or an exchange?"

CUSTOMER SERVICE TIPS- everything is fixable, our customers are who keep us in business and...immediate action, effective follow through, and common courtesy has helped build strong foundations for the most successful businesses today.