Paypal - buyer protection

BFG_2

I use paypal for buying and have had no probs so far (over 150 purchases).

However I am thinking of buying an expansive item (£1000+) from overseas and am a bit unsure of seller (has a f/back of 100+, but you know how it is...).


So question is - what is my 'protection' under Paypal assuming the following facts
1. buy through ebay (as opposed to off-ebay)
2. use paypal acct registered to the seller (via link on item on ebay)
3. I used a credit card to open my paypal account and to pay the balances etc


How long do I have to register a problem with paypal(as postage from overseas could be a few weeks?)
Am I protected since my cc is underpinning paypal - ie same as section 70(?) Consumer Protection act - 'credit card company jointly liable for any problems'

I think this would be a good answer to have in a dedicated sticky, or eBay FAQs area.

mcwarre

1. Very limited tbh. If it does go wrong paypal may find in your favour but you will only get the money back if they have left it in their paypal acct (not likely)
2. Check whether they are verified (make sure your acct and address is verified)
3. CC will protect you

Don't forget that import tax....
Also they may have high f/b but what are the items they have sold? For example if they sell lots of piccies for 99p and all of a sudden start selling high value then the acct may be highjacked.

At this value I would be very, very, wary.....

Check http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/confidence/purchase-protection.html?ssPageName=bpptest
or https://www.paypal.com/uk/eBay/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_pbp-info-outside

Tojo_Ralph

The potential for being ripped off aside, If I was seriously considering spending £1,000+ on an item from overseas, (it would have to be a good saving) with the risk of being hammered for import duty hanging over my head, (assuming it is not an overly large item), I'd be going to collect.

criminal_smile

Just be wary with Section 75 - Joint liability for Ebay purchases using Paypal. CC companies have a habit of arguing these claims, on the basis that the contract they have is to make a payment available to Paypal, Which does of course happen. They then claim that they have completed their action, as have Paypal, so no liability for breach of contract.

BFG_2

Tojo_Ralph wrote:

.....I'd be going to collect.

It's in Australia, but even so....mmmmmmhhhhhhhhh

Now where's the Quantas website..

Tie me kangaroo down...

payless

just sold something for £80 to a UK address ( 98%, 130 rating) My auction gives Buyer protection, but notice the paypoal receipt says
"Seller Protection - Ineligible"

So I pay £3 extra in fees not to get any protection !

Paul_Varjak

You will not be covered under S.75 of the Consumer Credit Act because you will not be buying anything on credit!

Your credit card is simply used to fund your PayPal account. The money in your PayPal account is then used to purchase the item.

The Credit card company will not be a party to the transaction between you and the seller in any way whatsoever.

trace-j

Just ask yourself, how much you are willing to lose if it all goes, well belly up? Despite all these so called protection schemes, there's no guarentee you're covered. Ebay will do anything to get out of their own schemes.

Spikey_2

Not worth the paper it's printed on or the time it takes to read the glowing crap that paypal/ebay write.

Spikey

Wig

Some people have reported success using credit card protection.

How about asking your credit card company to say if you will be protected or not and get it in writing.

I wouldn't buy it if I was you.

soolin

Paul_Varjak wrote:

You will not be covered under S.75 of the Consumer Credit Act because you will not be buying anything on credit!

Your credit card is simply used to fund your PayPal account. The money in your PayPal account is then used to purchase the item.

The Credit card company will not be a party to the transaction between you and the seller in any way whatsoever.

Actually you are covered by the consumer credit act. The way I saw it explained in the financial mail was that you have protection because the credit card company pay paypal and that's what you claim against. Paypal are the link between the credit card and the receiver of the money so the credit card company reclaim from paypal. Sorry I can't expalin that better, the financial people explained it much better!

It is the same as things like worldpay (I think that's the one) when you buy from CD Wow an intermediatery takes the money and pays onto the seller. You claim against the intermediatery.

However for this to work you must make sure the payment is direct..so the paypal account needs to have a nil balance and the payment must be set up to come directly off the credit card and show 'paypal...J Smith' or whatever.

Going back to the OP though, I personally would be nervous of customs and VAT charges.

Soo