Paypal problem !!!!!WARNING WARNING!!!!!!

rrwfotr

Hi I have a problem and wondered if anyone could help....

I purchased a high value £50 computer device off ebay a month ago and paid over £12.99 for p&p plus £2.99 for insurance. The item arrived however there was nothing in the box. I contacted the seller who is a reputable seller (over 1000+ 99% feedback) and basically was told the item was sent standard recorded and basically there was nothing he could do. I had paid via direct debit so there was no way I could cliam off my card as I was told so by barcalys my bank.

So I then started a paypal cliam as I had paid via paypal, I was told to obtain a police crime report number which I did so to basically say the item had been stolen whilst in transit.

I was then told by paypal that I had to obtain a written police report signed by the police, when I tried to get this I was told by Kent police that an application had to be made to the data protection department and had to pay £10 - £15 for the written report (what a con!!) well as this was out of the 10 day paypal window I was unable to obtain the report therefore even though I had rang paypal a good 5 times to explain the situation and email them with regards to the issue my cliam was refused. My issue is that if I had to wait 4 -5 weeks for the written report how could I get the written report in the 10 days? Kent Police now operate a telephone system where you can't go into a police station to obtain a report you are told to ring you a head office number. Basically I just wonddered if anyone had come across this issue and if anyone knew if there was anything I could do, as I feell robbed for (1) getting an empty box and (2) paypal's procedure with regards to obtaining a written report in 10 days when it takes 4 -5 weeks to obtain the written report?

I would urge anyone using paypal to be carefull because the so called security is not there when you want to make a claim, I feel they are making procedures so cliams are not paid out!!!

zappahey

Paypal protection only really helps in the case of non-delivery. So long as the seller has evidence that they sent you something then Paypal will have little interest.

I would look at taking raising a small claims action against the seller, quite often the threat is sufficient to achieve settlement.

EDIT: Just read your message again. The seller is completely in the wrong here. It's his responsibility to ensure that you get the goods. Legally, if they're stolen in transit it's his responsibility to ensure that you get what he is contracted to provide. Another question is what did the £2.99 insurance cover? Maybe your title should read "Dodgy seller problem" as I think you're addressing the wrong issue here. Push the seller hard for resolution.

soolin

I agree with zappahey this is more of a seller and Royal mail problem.

Either the seller is lying, and there is virtually nothing you can do against a seller like that regardless of how you paid. Or, the Royal mail have tampered with the packaging (there was an interesting article in the WHICH magazine about his last year where items were removed from parcels en route).

Even if it were the latter scenario then the seller should assist you with a formal complaint against the Royal mail.

I know it is no comfort, but I have had several incidences of tampering and several of those were from items bought from shops and online vendors like play and CDWow. I made a formal complaint, but unfortunately was ill at the time and never persued it and all I got from the Royal mail was an apology and a promise to retrain staff members.

Soo

liz_uk

Go through small claims - someone should be along shortly with the link to the site on how to go about this.

It may frighten the seller into helping you abit more.

wobbley

Did the parcel look like it had been opened? It's very difficult to open a properly wrapped parcel then re-seal it without evidence. It sounds to me like the seller is trying it on. Even if he isn't it's still his fault as he should have sent it with insurance.
As previously said, pursue it through small claims, hopefully just the threat will prompt a refund. Make sure you document everthing, times, dates, emails and it may help if there was someone with you when you opened the parcel to witness that it was empty. Good luck.

bleugh

looks like the seller's been watching watchdog the past few months, sorry to hear about your troubles, see https://www.bleugh.co.uk/paypal for more info

sp41700

There is another resolution method for you. Paypal have asked you to do somethong that is physically impossible, i.e. providing a 4 wek lead report in 10 days. Paypal tried a similar trick woth me. Asked me for a police report when the police didnt even do the reports they requested. I emailed and phoned paypal and when I got no joy i requested their address so I could send them a letter. I then threatened them with the FSA, their regulator, and they refunded me.

I must admit it did cost me more than the amount but, and a big but, it was the principle in the end.

bigglesinc

I know this sounds daft but why did you sign for the delivery (sent standard recorded) without checking the contents of the box?

sara2323

This is strange was just wondering did the parcel have a postage label with amount of postage displayed or weight of item, this might explain how much the item weighed when dispatched i.e. if it was empty when the seller dispatched it the postage would be quiet low compared to a box containing the item......

bargainaddict

sara2323 wrote:

This is strange was just wondering did the parcel have a postage label with amount of postage displayed or weight of item, this might explain how much the item weighed when dispatched i.e. if it was empty when the seller dispatched it the postage would be quiet low compared to a box containing the item......

That's brilliant. I hadn't even thought of that, I will remember that but hopefully never need it!

Speculator

sara2323 wrote:

This is strange was just wondering did the parcel have a postage label with amount of postage displayed or weight of item, this might explain how much the item weighed when dispatched i.e. if it was empty when the seller dispatched it the postage would be quiet low compared to a box containing the item......

Unless the item is very light.

For example, if the box weighs 101g and the item weighs 49g, the 1st class postage would be 68pence with or without the item in the box.

Also, with pricing in proportion due on 21st of August, you will be unable to use this method to check whether or not the seller has sent an empty box.