Paypal scam

manusmcgee

I believe I have been the victim of a scam.
I responded to an ad on facebook for 'the worlds smallest printer'...being slightly concerned as it was a chinese company i chose to pay via paypal as this afforded 'paypal protection'. The item cost $36.98.
I received a small cheap plastic camera instead from the company. I complained to the company ( applepods ltd ) and was informed that if i did not contact paypal they would offer me a 50% refund. I refused and contacted paypal. Paypal reviewed the case and found in my favour, but insisted i must return the cheap camera, via a tracked service, at my expense to the seller before issuing a refund. I priced this service and it was costing £37.50. more than the refund price i was due. I contacted paypal to complain about this, but they still insist that at my expense, i return the item before they will issue a refund.
I believe the scam is :- Company advertises an item at a very good price of 36.98 then sends an item at a value of around £1.00 using the chinese freepost system...if buyer complains then they offer a refund of 50%.. giving them a profit of approx $18...if buyer escalates the case to paypal they then insist on the cheap value item being returned to them as they are aware it costs more than the refund due.
This scam can only work if paypal insist on the company's terms of returning the item at buyers expense ( i have asked them to email me a returns label at their expense as they have not sent the item i ordered ) Therefor making paypal protection worthless

lindens

You might be better posting this on the Ebay part of the forum as there are lots of paypal experts over there.

stelee844

SPEAK TO SOMEONE FROM PAYPAL ON THE PHONE AGAIN, I had EXACTLY the same issue but with a heavy(ish) item - this was going to cost me £45 to return and really outweighed any benefit of returning it. 

I explained to PayPal that it was quite clearly a scam and they "investigated" - Within an hour or so of getting off the phone i had received a full refund and didnt have to return the item. Sometimes making the person you speak to also beleive it's a scam works in your favour. 

At this point - You have nothing to lose!?