Paypal + eBay Question :: Cancelling Direct Debit with Bank?

[Heofz]

Hi everyone,

Apologies in advance if the following text is too long...

I was wonderning something if I could ask you guys what's in store for me, regarding my situation.

I purchased an item on eBay and paid through paypal, but after getting a little bit suspicious (the reasons for which I wont go into), I decided to do a little internet detective work and I discovered that the buyer was on a forum telling other people how his item was crap, and so it became clear that his listing description was deliberately misleading.

After realising this I emailled him straightaway telling him what I found and asked for an explanation. He has not replied to that, nor to a follow up email I sent to him asking for a refund. He has not yet dispatched the item to me, and paypal have not yet charged me for the item (they take it directly from my bank account using direct debit). I also got his home phone number from eBay and tried ringing but got no answer.

Now just to protect myself financially, I rang up Natwest and confirmed that Paypal have not yet debited the cash from my account, and so I asked for them to cancel the direct debit I have set up with them. Paypal have 2 of my old debit cards but both of them are now invalid.

What I wanted to ask was, firstly, is there any way that paypal can still physically take cash from my account now? Should I open a paypal dispute now or wait and see if he'll ever get back to me.

And secondly, have I made a mistake? I think I probably shouldn't have done this cancellation, but I'm pretty sure that Paypal don't give cash to people unless the cash is actually present, and if the seller refunds me (which he should), then it shouldn't make a difference either way.

Any thoughts/advice would be muchos appreciated...

 

[Heofz]

Hmm the problem with paypal's dispute system is that my only options are:

1. I'm filing my claim because I have not received my item
2. I'm filing my claim because there is a problem with the item I have already received.

Neither of which are really valid for me because he hasn't sent the item yet. This is one of those rare situations where I know the item will be bad before receiving it.

Anything else I can do?

 

[Heofz]

Are you 100% certain its crap?

Yep, I had my suspicions when he strange kept some answers to my questions a bit vague whereas answering other questions in a lot of detail.

Wait to receive the item then start a claim. I'm afraid there may be little you can do in the meanwhile.

If he doesn't post the item soon then you've got something to claim for.

sid

hmm, I rang up paypal and they advised that I do the same. Starting to regret ringing up natwest now :/

 

[Heofz]

Add a debit /credit card to paypal so that gets charged,

let the proceedings go as normal, declined payments will cause more hassle.

You are not garunteed to win the case against the buyer, in which case paypal will come after you for the moeny you owe them.
sid

Dunno why I didn't think of that before, good idea

 

[Heofz]

WOOHOO he finally got back to me and refunded

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet *does little dance*

 

[Heofz]

What was the item if you dont mind me asking?

It was an Engineering Sample CPU

I hate paypal btw... and ebay is getting on my nerves aswell.

I agree... I've found paypal is far too streamlined for automation for our own good. Though I suppose it has a good reason to be, as it has millions of customers and thus could never be able cope with several thousand disputes that need to be investigated in depth and dealt with manually. Though the more I think about it, with a 3.4% cut from every transaction I suppose they could afford it... oh well