How soon to start a Paypal dispute?

zaly

I recently purchased a used item via Gumtree, they wanted payment via BT but I refused as no protection for me and ended up paying via PayPal. That was now 8 days ago. They informed me that the money was received and said they would post 7 days ago. It hasn't arrived and they aren't responding to my emails. How soon should I start a dispute with PayPal?

I know I can now as its been 7 days but don't know if its a little early if they perhaps posted late or something. Or am I just being naive? They knew I would be able to reclaim the money if the item didn't show so I'm not sure how it could be a scam? Paid via the official PayPal site not an email link and details are all showing in my account.

Thanks for any advice.

MamaMoo_2

What did you buy? Was it a high value purchase? Was the seller local?

zaly

I paid £105 for a leappad 2 with games etc for my little boy. Not the sort of thing I would expect to be used for a scam really so thought id be pretty safe.

zaly

Seller was about 250 miles away so definitely not local.

arcon5

I'd wait another week personally. You have 45 days to make the PayPal claim

dalesrider

What type of paypal payment?

Cash gift and you can forget using paypal dispute process.

You only have a chance if they sent you a invoice and you paid via that.

I think you have to wait 10 days before starting a non receipt claim. Here's hoping you paid via a invoice and the seller did not use a trackable postage method.

zaly

I made sure not to pay gifted but paid for the item as 'goods'. As I understood it that would have covered me. Hoping I'm not mistaken.

The reason I'm feeling the need to start the dispute is down to the fact that there has been zero response to my emails. If they posted as they said they would it should have arrived by now even using the slowest postage method.

MamaMoo_2

You have 45 days to make a claim. Leave it a while longer so you're sure (say until it's been 14 days) and then open a dispute.

wealdroam

OP, was there a picture of the product in the Gumtree advert?

I ask because under every picture on Gumtree there is the following statement:

And remember, never send money for an item you haven't seen in person.

zaly

Yes there was a picture of the item, and some of the accessories along with some stock images of the games. Wouldnt have bought it if there was no picture. It seemed genuine to me as they would have been happy for me to pick up if I was local.

zaly

Just a quick update - the item still hasn't arrived. Dispute was placed with PayPal and still no response from the seller so just escalated to a claim. PayPal have now contacted the seller but no response so far. Really disappointing as I would much rather get the item than the money back but at least hopefully it wont be a complete loss.