Are PayPal disputes still pointless?

Gunner567

When I've had issues with buying things in the past and I've opened a dispute via PayPal, despite them ruling in my favour they've always told me they won't be able to give me a refund as the seller had no money in their PayPal account. So basically, as long as the seller cleared the money out of their account and deleted any cards etc on the account, PayPal wouldn't be able to refund me.

I haven't had to open a dispute in ages, but now I have as an item I bought was faulty on arrival (despite being sold as "Perfect working order") and the seller hasn't responded to any of my messages (I've opened a PayPal dispute already, I just haven't escalated it yet) - Is this still the same or do PayPal now pay you out their own pocket and then request the money back from the seller? Otherwise their whole "Buyer protection" is pointless!

[Deleted User]

Wouldn't it of been easier to open a eBay dispute first and return the item for a refund ?

Gunner567

I didn't buy it off eBay and it was customer support who told me to open a dispute

soolin

Gunner567 wrote: »

When I've had issues with buying things in the past and I've opened a dispute via PayPal, despite them ruling in my favour they've always told me they won't be able to give me a refund as the seller had no money in their PayPal account. So basically, as long as the seller cleared the money out of their account and deleted any cards etc on the account, PayPal wouldn't be able to refund me.

I haven't had to open a dispute in ages, but now I have as an item I bought was faulty on arrival (despite being sold as "Perfect working order") and the seller hasn't responded to any of my messages (I've opened a PayPal dispute already, I just haven't escalated it yet) - Is this still the same or do PayPal now pay you out their own pocket and then request the money back from the seller? Otherwise their whole "Buyer protection" is pointless!

It has been at least 10 probably more like 15 years or so that PayPal buyer protection has covered buyers regardless of where they purchase. The onlay reason you would have been denied a refund is if you were previously warned that you had lost buyer protection (usually if too many frivolous claims were made).

A refund is automatic , regardless of seller having funds, if buyer wins a case and returns item tracked to the seller.

soolin

https://www.paypal.com/uk/webapps/mpp/paypal-safety-and-security

theonlywayisup

Gunner567 wrote: »

When I've had issues with buying things in the past and I've opened a dispute via PayPal, despite them ruling in my favour they've always told me they won't be able to give me a refund as the seller had no money in their PayPal account. So basically, as long as the seller cleared the money out of their account and deleted any cards etc on the account, PayPal wouldn't be able to refund me.

I haven't had to open a dispute in ages, but now I have as an item I bought was faulty on arrival (despite being sold as "Perfect working order") and the seller hasn't responded to any of my messages (I've opened a PayPal dispute already, I just haven't escalated it yet) - Is this still the same or do PayPal now pay you out their own pocket and then request the money back from the seller? Otherwise their whole "Buyer protection" is pointless!

As has been explained it hasn't been a case of buyer being left in the lurch for a long time.

Your dispute - you need to follow the timelines and not miss instructions from Paypal. You may be too late but if you register for "returns on us" you should hopefully get a reimbursement up to £15 to return your item. It has to be sent tracked (with details viewable online) in order for Paypal to refund you - it has to show delivery to the area (at least) of the seller.

Hopefully the seller is within the UK and you can return the item for your refund. Do not send anything until Paypal tell you to and only send where they tell you to send.