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Sh!t, my first Paypal investigation. :(

I sold a mobile phone on eBay about 3 weeks ago, and it was purchased fairly quickly using the buy it now option. It's always been my experience that when someone wins an auction with Paypal as the only option of payment, you usually get the payment received notification with the auction won email. I didn't, so I started to check the buyer out.

It looked as if she had won another auction, but never paid within 2 weeks. As a matter of fact, the person on the selling side of that auction never heard from her for 2 weeks, and she eventually contacted him saying she couldn't come up with the money. I was able to contact another seller whose post-auction antics had went the same way, only these two had made arrangements for no negative feedback.

I was sort of expecting no payment, as the entire day went by with no word from my auction's winner. The next day went by as well, no word. I was pretty pissed, as I needed that money to fund my recent replacement phone purchase. Well, I had planned on relisting it 48 hours after the end of the auction, because luckily I had placed a 48 hour limit in the auction for contact. Well lo and behold, this member made payment via Paypal with about 6 hours left on the clock.

Well, here's where it turns ugly. I did not place any stipulations in my auction concerning confirmed addresses and such, as I have never had a problem. I trust people too damn much I guess. Even worse, I shipped the damn thing to a P.O. Box. Don't ask me what I was thinking, and no, I don't need anyone reconfirming the fact that this was stupid. So I get home today, a full 3 weeks after, and I've got an email from Paypal saying that the funds were under investigation, and I'm now out of $165 till the thing is completed.

Some questions for those who have been in the same situation as me:

- My Paypal account is linked to my bank account. I've already seen where they've held $165 from my Paypal account, but nothing shows coming out of my bank account yet. Will this actually come out of my bank account in a couple of days, or will it currently stay tied to only my Paypal account?
- What are my chances of actually being able to keep the money due to my stupidity of shipping to a non-confirmed address?
- What kinds of experiences have you guys had with the whole investigation process?

And to close, YES, I know what I did was stupid, and you only figure that out once someone burns you. It won't happen again, please don't remind me if you reply.

EDIT: Forgot to add that I tried to check her feedback just now, and she has since hidden it, when it used to be open. It looks as if she has received another bad feedback, but I can't see it because eBay let's people get out cheaply.
 
I've been through like 3 paypal investigations, I just showed my proof of shipping and some statements, and they restored my account. All three cases were highly suspicious I suppose, not using the account for 6 months then blasting 5000 dollars through sales, then not using it for months.
 
Originally posted by: neonerd
Do you have a tracking number or reciept for your shipment?
I should have a receipt, but no tracking numbers used with USPS. I never get delivery confirmation anymore because my local post office NEVER scans the damn bar code when they take it. I'm screwed 🙁.

At the very least, I shipped it to an address about an hour from me. I can always go up there myself if I have to.
 
Originally posted by: blurredvision
Originally posted by: neonerd
Do you have a tracking number or reciept for your shipment?
I should have a receipt, but no tracking numbers used with USPS. I never get delivery confirmation anymore because my local post office NEVER scans the damn bar code when they take it. I'm screwed 🙁.

At the very least, I shipped it to an address about an hour from me. I can always go up there myself if I have to.

From now on, I HIGHLY Suggest you buy your postage online from USPS.com

That way you get free tracking, and you should not find yourself in as much trouble as now. I would try telling paypal that this person has a history of not paying, and that they are trying to con you. Try sending them the reciept for your shipment (hopefully it shows the destination address), and make sure you saves any and all emails to and from the buyer. Make sure one of the emails tells where to ship it to, so that you can prove that you did what you were supposed to.
 
Josh - Received your PM but I cannot reply, yes my free hosting offer is still available 🙂

Please PM me with your AIM and we'll chat sometime this week.
 
Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
nice, lost 165 cuz you didn't spend .45 on DC 😉

I ALWAYS USE DC. In fact, I have a load of DC forms that I fill out and stick on the package before I even go to the post office.
 
Originally posted by: neonerd


From now on, I HIGHLY Suggest you buy your postage online from USPS.com

That way you get free tracking, and you should not find yourself in as much trouble as now. I would try telling paypal that this person has a history of not paying, and that they are trying to con you. Try sending them the reciept for your shipment (hopefully it shows the destination address), and make sure you saves any and all emails to and from the buyer. Make sure one of the emails tells where to ship it to, so that you can prove that you did what you were supposed to.

yeah the usps website is getting pretty good. now you can buy insurance online and still not have to bring the package to the PO. I wish you could print prepaid media mail labels from their site though.
 
Originally posted by: RMSistight
Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
nice, lost 165 cuz you didn't spend .45 on DC 😉

I ALWAYS USE DC. In fact, I have a load of DC forms that I fill out and stick on the package before I even go to the post office.

I always use DC as well unless it's a grocery coupon or gift cert.
 
Originally posted by: blurredvision
Originally posted by: neonerd
Do you have a tracking number or reciept for your shipment?
I should have a receipt, but no tracking numbers used with USPS. I never get delivery confirmation anymore because my local post office NEVER scans the damn bar code when they take it. I'm screwed 🙁.

At the very least, I shipped it to an address about an hour from me. I can always go up there myself if I have to.




You lose...

No tracking or DC...No $...wtf are people so cheap
 
you seem SOL in this case. $165 for a lesson is quite expensive. next time, be caution when you are dealing with anything $100. and of course, you should've sold it on HOFO instead.
 
Originally posted by: RMSistight
Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
nice, lost 165 cuz you didn't spend .45 on DC 😉

I ALWAYS USE DC. In fact, I have a load of DC forms that I fill out and stick on the package before I even go to the post office.

BWAHHAHA

also it isn't cheaper that you print a label using paypal?
 
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