PSA: Buyer beware: Little recourse from PayPal for online shoppers stuck with counterfeit goods

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Jun 3rd, 2021 7:19 pm

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Jun 2nd, 2021 7:41 am

bylo [OP]: Deal Expert; Jan 7, 2002; 22684 posts; 17709 upvotes; Waterloo, ON

Jun 2nd, 2021 7:41 am

PSA: Buyer beware: Little recourse from PayPal for online shoppers stuck with counterfeit goods

Buyer beware: Little recourse for online shoppers stuck with counterfeit goods

PayPal's purchase protection little help when it comes to bogus items, buyers say... a loophole in the PayPal system has allowed vendors to exploit unsuspecting buyers with a bait-and-switch scheme involving the delivery of low-quality or counterfeit merchandise... in order to receive a full refund PayPal would first have to confirm the item had been returned to the original vendor [in China.]...

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre recommends using a credit card with basic purchase protection benefits whenever online shopping.

I realize many RFDers are aware of this issue. I'm posting this for the benefit of those who may not appreciate the difference between PayPal's and most credit credit cards' policies.

veni, vidi, Visa

10 replies

Jun 2nd, 2021 10:54 am

Akitakara: Deal Addict; Aug 18, 2008; 3086 posts; 1100 upvotes; Ottawa

Jun 2nd, 2021 10:54 am

With a credit card chargeback, couldn't your bank also require you to ship the item back at cost, as part of the resolution?

Jun 2nd, 2021 10:56 am

PointsHubby: Deal Expert; Feb 7, 2017; 16728 posts; 14071 upvotes; Eastern Ontario

Jun 2nd, 2021 10:56 am

@bylo
Good PSA

Lol, but gotta laugh
China & cheap quality knock offs / counterfeit goods
Who would have thunk eh ?

Jun 2nd, 2021 11:15 am

gr8dlr: Deal Guru; Sep 1, 2005; 13368 posts; 8049 upvotes; Markham

Jun 2nd, 2021 11:15 am

The way I look at it...assume anything you buy via Ebay is counterfeit or not genuine. If you can't inspect the goods, then you takes your chances - sometimes you win, many times you don't.

Unfortunately there are dumb ppl who think they can buy a brand new Canada Goose coat (example) for $100 and think they're getting the real deal and then when they don't they want to complain.

We're all bozos on the bus until we find a way to express ourselves...

Failure is always an option...just not the preferred one!

Jun 2nd, 2021 11:29 am

bylo [OP]: Deal Expert; Jan 7, 2002; 22684 posts; 17709 upvotes; Waterloo, ON

Jun 2nd, 2021 11:29 am

Akitakara wrote: ↑ With a credit card chargeback, couldn't your bank also require you to ship the item back at cost, as part of the resolution?

At least with CCs there's a 1-800 number to call and discuss the issue with a live human, an opportunity to escalate, etc. While I don't have any direct experience with chargebacks on counterfeit goods (but I do with other chargeback situations) I'd expect my bank would be more understanding of the cost of returning the item than PayPal's algorithm-driven robots.

veni, vidi, Visa

Jun 2nd, 2021 2:01 pm

Akitakara: Deal Addict; Aug 18, 2008; 3086 posts; 1100 upvotes; Ottawa

Jun 2nd, 2021 2:01 pm

bylo wrote: ↑ At least with CCs there's a 1-800 number to call and discuss the issue with a live human, an opportunity to escalate, etc. While I don't have any direct experience with chargebacks on counterfeit goods (but I do with other chargeback situations) I'd expect my bank would be more understanding of the cost of returning the item than PayPal's algorithm-driven robots.

Ah that makes sense. Forgot about the fact that it's hard to reach a human with PayPal

Jun 2nd, 2021 9:46 pm

pialshgiml87: Member; Feb 3, 2019; 208 posts; 142 upvotes; GTA

Jun 2nd, 2021 9:46 pm

I dealt with PayPal for a counterfeit good. This was a few years ago, but once I provided the tracking number, I was refunded for the item. PayPal also provided a credit for the shipping. Item was shipped back to the USA but it still ended up being quite expensive as I had to ship through FedEx and had to be delivered in a few business days.

Again, this was a few years ago, back when you could still get a hold of a human by calling PayPal

Jun 2nd, 2021 9:51 pm

HiddenEmailer: Member; Feb 22, 2017; 342 posts; 239 upvotes

Jun 2nd, 2021 9:51 pm

Ever since I was burned by a fly by night Store via PayPal where I won the dispute but they were able to drain there account pre-resolution (not sure if I was just unlucky or the fact that it was like the early 2000s)
I’ve always paid via credit card via PayPal that way whenever I need to dispute PayPal I’ll leave the charge back on the table, I’d rather deal with the repercussions of too many chargebacks on my credit card but have AMEX or Visa duke it out with PayPal than me

+1

Jun 2nd, 2021 10:04 pm

the2ndme: Sr. Member; Oct 10, 2020; 722 posts; 454 upvotes

Jun 2nd, 2021 10:04 pm

Can "chargeback" be done against Paypal? Especially if the transaction is considered a "cash advance".

Jun 3rd, 2021 7:13 pm

TempletonPeck: Sr. Member; Dec 8, 2009; 599 posts; 612 upvotes

Jun 3rd, 2021 7:13 pm

HiddenEmailer wrote: ↑ Ever since I was burned by a fly by night Store via PayPal where I won the dispute but they were able to drain there account pre-resolution (not sure if I was just unlucky or the fact that it was like the early 2000s)
I’ve always paid via credit card via PayPal that way whenever I need to dispute PayPal I’ll leave the charge back on the table, I’d rather deal with the repercussions of too many chargebacks on my credit card but have AMEX or Visa duke it out with PayPal than me

This is the smart way to do it. You have PayPal to help with a resolution first and if that doesn't work out you can still go to your CC company.

+1

Jun 3rd, 2021 7:19 pm

HiddenEmailer: Member; Feb 22, 2017; 342 posts; 239 upvotes

Jun 3rd, 2021 7:19 pm

TempletonPeck wrote: ↑ This is the smart way to do it. You have PayPal to help with a resolution first and if that doesn't work out you can still go to your CC company.

Exactly, unfortunately I am probably many others had to learn the hard way at least once.

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