Paypal Dispute

[jtb]

This is my first paypal dispute and I must say it a little unsettling.

Background;
My wife had breast pump she was not using, so she told me I could sell it on ebay. Which I promptly did (thinking, oh boy, I can get some shave related items with the profit).

Well, the person that won the item was new to ebay, 0 rating, 0 Feed back and in fact just joined ebay the same day she won the bid. The payment took some time to clear since it was a paypal check of some sort, or she was new to paypal. Once the funds cleared I promptly shipped the item via UPS and provided the tracking number to the winner.

Then 2 days after the delivery, she failed a claim stating she did not recieve the item. Which of course removed the funds from my paypal account. I have attempted to contact her several times via email, providing the tracking number again as well as the name on the signature, which was different then the buyer. Since the address was to an apartment, I asked her to check with her neighbors to see if they had the package but I have yet to hear back from her for.

Is this some sort of scam people pull? Join ebay, buy something then dispute that they recieved it? The lack of communication is what baffles me. Either way I have escaleted the incident with paypal as I am getting no response from the winner.
Like I say, this is rather unsettling,

I have NEVER had a problem with any other person and I have 100% positive feedback on ebay. Does this seem like a scam to you guys?

 

[tommyguns]

it does sound a little fishy but I have worked with paypal a number of times and nothing but great things to say keep all and any emails sent to the buyer and when you contact paypal you will have to forward them those emails and any shipping information. Being it is is an apartment ups/usps will not leave the package they will get a while you were out notice unless advised buy the buyer to just leave the package then you and ups are not at fault for them not getting the package. IF you can show that you shipped the package paypal should take care of you.

 

[Mike H]

Did ebay contact you before issuing the refund?

I didn't receive an item I paid for. Does eBay offer insurance?We don't offer an insurance program. However, if you don't receive an item you paid for, you can receive a refund of the full purchase price plus original shipping on eligible purchases through the eBay resolution process.
First, contact the seller to let the seller know there's a problem. Most problems can be worked out with a simple email or phone call.
If you're not able to work things out with the seller, we recommend you open a case. To do that, go to the Resolution Center. We'll ask you a few questions and then contact the seller. If the seller doesn't make things right, we'll review the case. If you didn't receive an item you paid for, you'll usually receive a full refund plus original shipping costs.
Keep in mind that timing is important. You can open a case after the estimated delivery date (if available) or 7 days after making payment (if no estimated delivery date was provided). If you received an item, but it doesn't match the seller's description, you can open a case now. You must open a case within 45 days of making payment on an item.
You can also review the steps for dealing with an item that wasn't received or wasn't as described.

 

[jtb]

Did ebay contact you before issuing the refund?
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No, it was a dispute filled w/out a question or any contact from the buyer, just stating the item was not received and the fund where pulled from my paypal account.

 

[Acmemfg]

If you got stiffed by PayPal, UPS has $100 insurance coverage by default. UPS will cover your loss up to that amount

 

[jtb]

Good to know about ups, thanks

 

[Mike H]

That is not cool, eBay has become buyer centric. Shame they are not following there own guidelines.

 

[ouch]

My rule of thumb is to be suspicious of anyone who buys a used breast pump.

 

[jtb]

My rule of thumb is to be suspicious of anyone who buys a used breast pump.

you do have a valid point there!

 

[jtb]

You know, it wouldn't be a big deal if it was not actually delivered and signed for. But the fact that she didn't even contact me before opening the dispute is a bit suspicious too.

 

[Amer]

My rule of thumb is to be suspicious of anyone who buys a used breast pump.

Ugh, this. No offense, but unless it's one of those hospital rentals that goes through the super awesome cleaning process, that is a little weird.

 

[jtb]

Ugh, this. No offense, but unless it's one of those hospital rentals that goes through the super awesome cleaning process, that is a little weird.

well to be fair to someone buying a pump, what you are paying for is the pump itself, all the accessories are pretty cheap and the pump mechanics never come in contact with "fluids".

 

[professorchaos]

I believe you if you can provide that shipping number to Paypal there is no dispute as far as they are concerned.

 

[nole1]

Did ebay contact you before issuing the refund?

They more than likely did not issue a refund. They probably froze the money and are holding it until the dispute is finalized.

 

[Lamb Root]

They more than likely did not issue a refund. They probably froze the money and are holding it until the dispute is finalized.

Yeah, your money is on ice right now. You'll have to buy something cool for yourself when all this is over.

 

[Go West Young Man]

Ugh, this. No offense, but unless it's one of those hospital rentals that goes through the super awesome cleaning process, that is a little weird.

A breast pump never comes anywhere near making contact with bodily fluids, second-hand pumps are perfectly fine to use.
The pumps creates a vacuum which pulls the milk into into a reservoir on the breastcup and then gravity drops it down into a bottle. There's a one-way valve that ensures that nothing moves back up the tubes to the pump itself.

You'd want a new cup and tube, of course, but the pump itself is as clean as ever.

 

[rickboone1]

I didn't think breast pumps could be sold on ebay... Perhaps, or obviously, they can?. Cool.

 

[Acmemfg]

Breast pumps on eBay-ok
Firearms on eBay-not ok

There is a moral here but I don't know what it is as any sale is BATFE regulated anyway

 

[Jimbo]

You'll get the money. It will just take a little time to work it's way out.
I was on the buyer side of a dispute a while back. I bought a jet ski part from somebody who was parting one out but he sent me the wrong part. I contacted the seller and he said (via e-mail) he put the parts in the wrong box. I (stupidly) forwarded the part I got to the other buyer but never got my part.
I filed a complaint, the seller sent them a copy of the tracking number and Paypal dismissed my complaint. I was red-hot. I escalated the complaint, talked to Paypal on the phone and eventually Paypal ate the money I was out. I told them I didn't think they should eat it but they did.
You'll get the money. My guess is she got scared it wasn't coming and filed a complaint or she whined to enough people and someone said "here take mine and shut up". It does seem weird that she was new to ebay though.

 

[jd_1138]

You'll get the money. It will just take a little time to work it's way out.
I was on the buyer side of a dispute a while back. I bought a jet ski part from somebody who was parting one out but he sent me the wrong part. I contacted the seller and he said (via e-mail) he put the parts in the wrong box. I (stupidly) forwarded the part I got to the other buyer but never got my part.
I filed a complaint, the seller sent them a copy of the tracking number and Paypal dismissed my complaint. I was red-hot. I escalated the complaint, talked to Paypal on the phone and eventually Paypal ate the money I was out. I told them I didn't think they should eat it but they did.
You'll get the money. My guess is she got scared it wasn't coming and filed a complaint or she whined to enough people and someone said "here take mine and shut up". It does seem weird that she was new to ebay though.

That's unfortunately part of the pain of selling on eBay. 99% of the buyers are great, honest folks. But 1% are unethical jerks or just plain idiots, and you remember the jerks more than the 99% of the honest folks.