Advice from someone that has dealt with chargebacks. Which is probably all of you

[adroitfulone]

So, here's everything that has went down:

A buyer purchased an item from me back on August 11th. The label was printed directly through ebay and automatically uploaded to paypal. Package was picked up on August 13th for shipment as confirmed by my pickup request confirmation e-mail from USPS.  Fast forward all the way to December 10th. Now, the buyer has called his financial institution and filed this as an "Unauthorized transaction". So, of course Paypal hits me with the case. I immediately call up Paypal and everything is fine because I obviously qualify for seller protection. Now, come the middle of January, and the funds are missing out of my account again. So, once again, I call up Paypal. This time however, I am no longer eligible for seller protection because the tracking number is no longer valid. Going on 6 months later, that's really no surprise.. Now, there's basically nothing that I can do according to Paypal unless that tracking number magically becomes valid again. So, I guess what i'm saying is, be careful to everyone out there. There's people that really know what they're doing when it comes to scamming sellers. This wasn't a small ticket item either. I doubt there's any way i'm ever going to be able to pay the money back to Paypal plus their $20 fee for getting scammed. Definitely won't be selling anything on Ebay anymore either because of it. I don't think there's anything I can do at this point, so i've come to warn you all. 

[18704d]

For "Unauthorized transaction"

you only need proof of Postage, sending To their proper address.

not delivery confirmation

or so I thought?

Lynn

[pjcdn2005]

The buyer filed twice for an unauthorized purchase for the same transaction or is the second case for a different reason?

[adroitfulone]

Yup. Me too. That was obviously provided to them when I shipped the item out. They even held the funds until it was delivered i'm sure. They pretty much always have. Unfortunately, the tracking number just says "Shipping label created - not yet in system" now.

[adroitfulone]

Same exact case. Only filed once. First time was when the case was opened. 2nd time the case was still open and they just randomly decided that since the tracking number wasn't in the system anymore, they'd take the money back. Keep in mind, this shipping label was purchased with my Paypal balance. Directly through Ebay and then printed out on my printer.. 

[the_fancy_fox]

I don’t know if they still do it but the post office ( call the 800 number) can repulsed the tracking number.

[adroitfulone]

I called the 1800 number for USPS and they told me to call the local post office that delivered it. I have tried to call down there many times now during business hours and no one will answer the phone. 

[adroitfulone]

One last thing, Paypal themselves even admit that that was once a valid tracking number. It has to be. I purchased it with their own balance and they can see the transaction. But, the manager lady "Debby" that is "Highest up" at Paypal and doesn't have a boss says there's nothing that can be done about it. Keep in mind, these funds were held until the package was delivered. Good luck to you all. I wish you all the best.  I've been on the phone all day since 9 am this morning.I have called Ebay, Paypal, and USPS. An hour wait minimum at all of them except Ebay. Just to get nowhere.  It's' now past 6 pm. I'm just done with it. The only reason I even tried to deal with it all again is because my Paypal account got sent to collections and i'm tired of the letters. Makes me look bad. 

[janet9988]

Sorry.. It seems like Paypal has learned to hold out on these cases until tracking can no longer be used.

That way Paypal does not have to cover you under their policy.  Dirty.

Was the claim ever decided in your favor back when it was first opened?

[adroitfulone]

No, the claim was opened. Then, I called them up. All was well for like a month. Then, they just randomly took the money back and the credit card company decided in the buyers favor(of course). I found out the tracking information wasn't valid anymore when they randomly took the money back mid January. Keep in mind, this same company that says that the tracking number isn't valid anymore held the funds until the item was delivered. So, it was obviously valid at some point. 

[be_4101]

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@the_fancy_fox wrote:

I don’t know if they still do it but the post office ( call the 800 number) can repulsed the tracking number.

---

So ... like mouth-to-mouth, or CPR?

[cyclebitz]

Where do you see anything in OP's post about a second case?

[gracieallen01]

One thing you might try is to go down to your local post office and to speak to a supervisor - Please - and ask if they will check the P.O.'s Intranet for the tracking, and if they can and will, get a copy of it IF it is still available.

[adroitfulone]

I tried this. They said that because they weren't the ones who delivered the package, they have no other information than what's on the tracking number. I would have to contact the local post office. Clear across the country. And, again, I can't get them to answer the phone.  What's the point in paying for this if they're just going to delete the information when I needed it the most? I paid almost $15 to ship this package. Could have done it for half the price if I didn't need the tracking and insurance. My favorite part of all of this is the $20 extra fee they tacked on there for the privilege of getting scammed. I can still laugh at that when I see it.

[gamersbaystore]

I've only ever once had a buyer file a charge back against me. Paypal held my money too. My response? I told Paypal if I don't get my money right now, I'm filing criminal charges for theft against the buyer, please let them know they have 24 hours to rescind their claim or I call the police and they go to jail.

The buyer made their purchase with a credit card thru Paypal, and despite their denial they bought anything, the item they purchased was shipped to their verified home address, and Paypal was able to confirm this. Stupid is as stupid does.

The buyer's response? They immediately changed their story and told Paypal it was a mistake. I told the buyer its no mistake when I call the cops and he gets hauled off to jail for mail and wire fraud.

Long story short, filing chargebacks for something you definitely purchased is definitely fraud, and its definitely a felony. Paypal was very quick to hand me back my money when I threatened legal action too.

If the buyer in my situation hadn't caved in and offered my money back, I would've filed a police report on the spot, he definitely would be sitting in jail facing felony charges as well.

Sellers need to understand that regardless of paypal or ebay's policies, the law can still defend you in situations like this.