Marketplace
Sold a Magic shave to a guy in WA : https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/160254
posted the item and even provided photograph of the package which included my name and address and mobile number too. I rang Aus post to make sure I was doing everything correctly was told that I just had to have $7.20 worth of stamps and that I could send the item myself. Sent away and thinking was all done, then 1 week later I get a SMS saying he never got the item. I explained that if that was the case it was AUS post issue and not me.
Today I was looking through my email and noticed I had a dispute against me saying I never sent the item. I was a little confused as I received the funds through '' friends & family'' and was previously told by PayPal rep there would be no fees but also no protection either. I submitted the photo to PayPal online and also put in a phone call explaining my circumstances that I have CP and was unable to go to post office however I had $7.20 worth of stamps and I called my local post office and was told it wouldn't be an issue. I also explained that I had text and Instant messages that the buyer was aware of absolutely everything.
So I get through to PayPal on the phone and explain the whole situation and I get told that the photograph isn't good enough and that even though the money was sent through ''friends & family'' that I admitted I did not know the buyer so he was entitled to make a claim and that I would need to provide a tracking number( which obviously I did not have). I went on to explain that the buyer was aware of everything and that I had texts and IM to prove all this and also mentioned that he had the same photo.
I was put on hold for a while and then the same person tells me that nothing could be done and that I would have to provide a tracking number even though the buyer sent through the payment FF and I had proof that he agreed and was aware of everything.
- Buyer was aware of everything- never asked for tracking made aware of how I was going to send, didn't complain or say anything.
- He chose friends and family ( willingly no gun to his head) that should be end of it
- I was told me friends & family no buyer protection, I also made the buyer aware of this
- I sent the item and have no control of what AUS post does with it, photo, texts and IM to prove everything
Soon after the phone call ended I receive an email from PayPal stating that a tracking number or a receipt from AUS POST was necessary otherwise it would be ruled in the buyers favor. I put in a second phone call offering to send all texts and IM proving that the buyer new what he was doing and agreed to proceed. As you can imagine I was angry that someone could get away with something like this, the rep then puts me on hold then tells me due to '' unique circumstances'' PayPal would would cover both myself and the buyer'' It wasn't a lot of money not worth chasing up or time on the phone or posting this for that matter.
Still am very angry I don't care about the money I did everything the way I said I would I also made it clear that postage issues are not my problem & he did choose FF. I openly admitted I did not really know him who cares he chose to send the money through and if he wanted registered post ask for it!. PayPal were very dismissive of texts and IM said was my responsibility to provide tracking doesn't matter what buyer agrees to and that even though he sent money through FF I admitted I didn't know him so he could make a claim.
Paypal does have some seller protection but you really need to use postage with tracking to benefit.
Live and learn