Some Ebay/ Paypal advice urgently needed

CraigC1982

Hi wondering if any of the knowledgeable posters here can offer any advice.

I recently put an expensive watch up for sale on Ebay and it was sold in auction. The buyer paid promptly via Paypal.

I went to post the item but it had gine missing since the auction started... I have young children and the house is often chaotic, regardless, I can't find it.

I messaged the buyer to apologise and to offer a refund, however I had transferred the money fro my Paypal account to my bank account and the transaction would take 2-3 days to reach my bank and then another couple of days to go back to Paypal.

The buyer was concerned that he would not be able to get the funds back in time for buying a Christmas gift and asked if I could transfer the money back to his account, as the error was mine I agreed and sent the money over via bank transfer...

I've since received a message from Paypal saying the transaction is now in dispute and the item did not arrive. The buyer is no longer responding to messages I send. I am getting concerned they intend to try and claim their money back via Paypal, in addition to the funds I sent them.

Could anyone shed any light on where I stand legally here? I have all the Ebay messages confirming his request for funds to be transferred with the sort code and account number etc, my online bank statement also confirms this money was sent to his account.

Obviously this person is entitled to no more money as everything they paid is now returned, I'm just concerned due to Paypal being a protected service and bank transfer is not.

Thanks very much in advance.

soolin

Legally you will almost certainly have to take this to small claims if buyer keep sboth the paypal refund and the money sent by bank transfer.

You cannot do anything at all to get the bank transfer back and if the original paypal payment has been refunded then you have nothing to claim there either.

CraigC1982

Hi, thanks very much for the response.

Just to clarify, I didn't refund through Paypal as I opted for the bank transfer instead. He has put a dispute in through Paypal however I guess this would need to be investigated before a decision was made by them and I do have evidence that this was resolved.

I've replied through Paypal, perhaps he put the claim in through them to be cautious as there would have been the delay in bank transfer showing up, and hasn't had chance to look into it since, but as it stands currently neither of us are out of pocket unless Paypal decide he's entitled to more money (which wouldn't make any sense surely)....?

You just never know with these things it's a minefield. You seem to know the system though so I appreciate your advice.

lovinituk

As above, ebay and paypal won't help you as you transferred the money outside of them. As far as they are concerned the buyer paid for an item they did not receive so they refunded the buyer.

Write a letter to the buyer (and post it to them recorded) giving them a certain length of time to repay you by bank transfer or you will be taking them to small claims. Read up on the small claims procedure and decide if you want to follow it through or not. I would be surprised if you lost a small claims due the evidence you have (ebay messages, bank transfer, paypal details).

*edit* - I jumped the gun a little but this may be useful if/when Paypal refund.

soolin

CraigC1982 wrote: »

Hi, thanks very much for the response.

Just to clarify, I didn't refund through Paypal as I opted for the bank transfer instead. He has put a dispute in through Paypal however I guess this would need to be investigated before a decision was made by them and I do have evidence that this was resolved.

I've replied through Paypal, perhaps he put the claim in through them to be cautious as there would have been the delay in bank transfer showing up, and hasn't had chance to look into it since, but as it stands currently neither of us are out of pocket unless Paypal decide he's entitled to more money (which wouldn't make any sense surely)....?

You just never know with these things it's a minefield. You seem to know the system though so I appreciate your advice.

It is extremely likely that you wiill still be expected to refund the original paypal payment though as it is that which is in dispute. Paypal treat things in a simplistic way- the same as any bank or shop would. Buyer has paid X by paypal, you cannot supply the goods so that paypal payment needs to be returned.

The bank transfer is an entirely different and private matter between you and the buyer and it is unlikely that paypal will consider that negates the need to refund the original paypal payment.

So I think it likely that if buyer continues with a paypal chargeback he will win- hence the need to consider the small claims issue at some point in the future. How long ago though did you make the bank transfer? Also, by making th ebank transfer you also got to pay all your paypal fees as well- so with hindsight, and for th ebenefit of anyone else reading this who may have a similar problem in the future, it is best to get your paypal account funded ASAP. I had to make a refund once and 'borrowed' the money from my sister, who tranferred her paypal payment to my paypal account so I could refund. Then when I had cleared funds back in my paypal account I refunded her in full.

MyOnlyPost

I agree with Soolin 100%.

It is for this very reason that shops will more often than no only refund via the payment method used, to avoid chargebacks like this.