Bubbles in Heaven (or not!)

sallycinnamon99

I purchased mini 'chill pill' bath bombs to use to make my wedding favours from an online shop called Bubbles in Heaven (www.bubblesinheaven.co.uk). I received the first batch which I ordered to see if this was what I would use. However, I then ordered another £25.50 worth which did not arrive. The seller said they would sort it out and get back to me the next day but I have heard nothing since! They are not responding to emails and have not answered any phone calls (one number no longer works). I contacted paypal as it was paid for through this method but the seller did not respond to them and has also withdrawn my money from their seller account so I cannot get it back!!:mad:

However, they are still taking orders through their website!! Beware - do not buy from this site as there is no guarantee you will get your order and certainly no guarantee you will be able to get your money back! Paypal is not as good or safe a payment method as it makes out to be!!

I would like to pursue this matter further though as this seller has clearly withdrawn my money even though they had no intention of supplying my goods. I also made a comment on their site guest book which they seem to have taken away!:mad: Any advice?

Many thanks.

hollydays

How long sice they said they would get back to you?

sallycinnamon99

It was 26th June when she emailed me, I have sent several emails since which she has not responded to. She also did not respond to the paypal claim when they asked her to. Think maybe not operating any more as phone number out of service but site still accepts orders and payments, which she is clearly removing from the paypal account as they could not reclaim the money from it! Bit annoyed about it now as had wanted to make my favours whil off on holiday and won't be able to now.

markelock

so paypal should just refund you, simple as.

marleyboy

Its Paypals problem not yours, you paid them, ask them for your money back.

Becles

PayPal won't refund if they can't get the money back from the seller. It's nothing to do with PayPal really. It's the same as in a shop - if you have a problem, you don't go chasing the bank who provides their merchant services.

I would sent a recorded delivery letter stating that the goods did not arrive and that you require a refund. If you don't get a refund within 7 days, then you will contact Trading Standards.

If nothing happens within 7 days, then do contact Trading Standards who will fight on your behalf.

hollydays

Is this classed as a criminal offence,or is it contract law?

sallycinnamon99

Thanks everyone.
I paid for it with my credit card through paypal as I thought it would be quite safe, obviously not. Does anyone know if I would be able to claim it back through my credit card?

Thanks again.

markelock

you might initiate a charge back via your card. Paypal are liable to refund you though. It is absolutely irrelevant how much money the seller does or does not have in their account, paypal will put the sellers account in debit if your claim is successful. Don't let paypal fob you off. Open a dispute against the seller and follow it up regularly. the seller will need to respond to them, with proof that she sent the item. If she can prove this, then you will need her to claim for the items if they have been lost against royal mail, or the relevant courier.

going to trading standards, writing a letter etc etc will cost you more than you have already paid in time and postage.

sallycinnamon99

I opened a dispute through paypal and the seller did not respond to them either. They said after the time had elapsed that they had received no response but as there was no money in her seller account they would not refund the money. Apparently this is their policy. Funny how they don't make that very clear when they say it's a safe method of payment, etc. I phoned my credit card company who have said I have to put it in writing, which I will do but they have said they would expect paypal to refund the money and not them so I don't hold out much hope for this either. Just want to let as many people as possible know not to buy from her site - she is still taking payments through it!

Thanks for all the comments.

Becles

It's all in PayPal's terms and conditions. Now that the dispute has been closed, you won't get anywhere with PayPal. You're wasting your time making any futher contact with PayPal.

As the seller is trading as a business, the quickest response would be the recorded delivery letter asking for a refund within 7 days, and then contact Trading Standards.

Once Trading Standards are involved, you should get your money quickly. I did when I had a dispute over buying furniture which was damaged on arrival. I returned it, but PayPal settled in the sellers favour as they had proof of delivery of the original order. Trading Standards got me a full refund for the furniture, original postage costs and my return postage costs.