| I think that for the many online shoppers that have | | | | because the seller was slow to respond. I was asked |
| Paypal accounts, few are aware of all the benefits | | | | by Paypal's resolution center to provide a copy from |
| that their accounts allow them to enjoy. One of the | | | | an authorized repair center own evaluation report. |
| benefits is their buyer protection program that | | | | This consisted of returning to the resolution center a |
| includes the dispute resolution tool designed to | | | | faxed copy of the repair centers work order outlining |
| resolve problem transactions. | | | | the needed repairs. Once all the steps where taken |
| Having recently been part of an auction sale that | | | | to evaluate the discrepancies the resolution center |
| turned bad and not being able to resolve the issue | | | | were quick to resolve the issue and in this case |
| with the seller, I turned to Paypal for help. My issue | | | | decided in my favor. Once the unit was shipped back, |
| revolved around a used piece of electronic equipment | | | | at my cost and received by the buyer, Paypal was |
| I had won on a popular auction. Turned out on | | | | prompt in returning the funds to my account. |
| receiving the unit I noticed that many functions were | | | | Paypal refunded me the Purchas price with the |
| not operational with this unit and there were some | | | | exception of the shipping charges including the return |
| cosmetic flaws that were purposely hidden on the | | | | shipping charges that I had to bear in order to return |
| listings pictures of the unit. The unit was listed as | | | | the unit to the seller, to comply with the resolution |
| flawless both functionally and esthetically. The sellers | | | | center's final requirement. |
| refused to recognize that his listing was miss-leading | | | | For most part online auctions end with successful |
| and that the product did not respect the listing rules | | | | transactions, but I know from reading blogs there are |
| even accusing me of damaging the equipment as his | | | | some horror stories about online auction frauds. In |
| only defense. | | | | most cases frauds occur when unprotected payment |
| Looking over Paypal's buyer protection program I | | | | methods are used like money transfers or cash |
| discovered buyers are protected for a total $1250 | | | | payments. It pays to know the advantages and |
| for a possible 3 claims per year. The dispute | | | | disadvantages of each payment protection |
| resolution service will protect the buyers in two | | | | mechanism offered buyers, and never, never |
| ways; | | | | transfer funds or send cash or even checks. Knowing |
| - The non reception of products. | | | | how each payment methods protects you, be it |
| - For products that are not as described. | | | | paypal or credit cards, helps you understand when |
| This covers quite an array of possible scams and in | | | | you are protected and when you are exposed to |
| my case I was able to prove that there were | | | | fraud. This will go a long way to help you anticipate |
| discrepancies between the listed product and the | | | | frauders and enjoy online buying with peace of mind, |
| received product. | | | | knowing if things go wrong your protected. |
| The process did extend itself over 4 weeks mainly | | | | |