( 
)
Worst Experience Ever...WARNING - WARNING - WARNING!!! Don't Repeat My Mistake! Spread the word!!!!!
SHORT & VERY SAD STORY:
...bought a "new & authentic," very expensive high-end brief. Upon its arrival I discovered that it was NOT at all as advertised. I contacted my seller about the discrepancy. She stated this was a final sale and refused my refund. I was confident in that I had up to $2000 buyers protection thru PAYPAL for mis-advertisement. Right? That's what the ad said. So, I disputed the sale.
For 45 days I battled a dishonest seller through the PAYPAL claims process. Called them several times and by this time (per their instruction) I'd returned the briefcase via signature confirmation.
Frustrated that my $600 was still tied up in a dispute approaching 50 days, I called PAYPAL for the forth time, gave them my tracking info (which had already been emailed to them three times earlier) and eventually received a judgment (from PAYPAL) for my FULL purchase & shipping price of $600, but only $550 back.
When I questioned why my full amount was not returned, the representative told me that the seller only had cash enough in her account for $550. The PAYPAL Rep said I would recoup the additional $50 when the seller's account was funded. I contacted the seller for the additional amount but, again, met with resistance. Within 2 days of this judgment, the seller closed the PAYPAL account and set up shop under a new account. PAYPAL let her do this knowing she still owed me $50!
What stinkers they are!!!
I called PAYPAL and was advised that I had no claim against her since the account was closed. I asked about the buyer protection plan and the response was that it was only good if the buyer had an account. What a rip! In fact, BECAUSE of Paypal, I lost $50 - thank you very much! Safe Harbor was no help with my predicament. Early on they encouraged me to work through PAYPAL for my recovery. Now, all they could say was that they were "SO SO VERY SORRY."
HOWEVER...my brother recently purchased a camera lens. He paid through PAYPAL, but used his American Express. Twice during the payment closeout process he was asked by PAYPAL if he was sure he wanted to use his credit card. He did proceeded with the payment through his credit card. The lens was NOT as advertised and he met with an "all sales final" seller who would not issue a refund. The sale was approx $140 with shipping at $10.
After hearing my story about PAYPAL, he skipped the official dispute process and simply disputed it with the credit card company. They immediately credited him the FULL amount and he sent the lens back to the seller via signature confirmation. He was only out his return shipping.
NEVER EVER PAY WITH PAYPAL, MORE THAN YOU ARE WILLING TO LOSE.
And, one more thing...
As a PowerSeller, even now, just since this fall with Paypal's new "holding/clearing" policies going into effect, I've had two separate buyers whose eBay payments were held as long as 12 business days for one customer and 14 for the other. Unaware, I reported them as unpaying bidders until they alerted me of the problem. Both said they had paid and that the money had already been deducted from their bank accounts. When I Paypal called to inquire why I had not received payment, I was told it was an interstate commerce issue and because I was receiving funds from another state, there would always be a delay under the new policy. Gosh. How unfriendly can you get? I'm currently awaiting three more customers who's purchases are hung up with this ridiculous policy. From my perspective, it looks like this is just an excuse for PAYPAL to earn interest at the buyer's/seller's expense - they're only hiding behind this new seller/buyer protection policy.
Don't get me wrong...we own Ebay stock and its a great company. For the most part their sub-companies are great support companies as well...except for PAYPAL who is NO Pal to anyone.
Thank you for voting. If your vote meets our 
