Lost $800 from Unauthorized Payment chargeback on PayPal. What else to do?

[coder82]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Pennsylvania
The buyer, described below, resides in Illinois.

Hi,

First post! Here is my situation:

I sold three car navigation systems on eBay; two of which, the transactions completed flawlessly. The third, however, did not. It was shipped to an unconfirmed PayPal address (basically means that PayPal would not block a chargeback, in case one was invoked by the buyer; exactly what happened in this case). The buyer had 100% positive feedback and approximately 40 purchases, so I thought he was somewhat trustworthy and I've never had problems in the past; nor did I realize that an uncomfirmed account meant that there was no protection. The item was insured and signature confirmation was used for the shipment. Shortly after I shipped, the buyer filed a chargeback, indicating "Unauthorized Payment." This was in October 2008 and I have officially lost the case, as of a couple of days ago (PayPal "fought" on my behalf until this point). I provided proof of delivery, proof that I have a 100% positive feedback account(400+), and made note of my "Premier" PayPal account status. I filed a claim with the IC3 (Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) | Home), but it doesn't seem that anything will come to fruition from that. Does anyone else have any other recommendations for action that I can take to reclaim the item or funds? I have all of the buyer's information, proof of shipment, etc. Interestingly, PayPal changed their policies a couple of weeks after the buyer filed this case, in which I would have been covered with protection from PayPal in this situation.

Thank you

 

[Zigner]

Sue the bad guy in small claims court.

 

[coder82]

How does that work with interstate commerce (e.g. do I file a claim here, in PA)? What is the process? Is it expensive? Is there a statute of limitations?

Thank you

 

[Zigner]

How does that work with interstate commerce (e.g. do I file a claim here, in PA)? What is the process? Is it expensive? Is there a statute of limitations?

Thank you

You would need to travel to the buyer's state and file there.

 

[coder82]

That seems unreasonable for $800. The cost of travel, time off work, etc. would quickly approach that amount. Are there any other options?

 

[Zigner]

That seems unreasonable for $800. The cost of travel, time off work, etc. would quickly approach that amount. Are there any other options?

You could call and ask for the money...or you could write a letter...or you could ask an attorney to write a letter (not too costly)

 

[TheGeekess]

Accept it as having paid the stupid tax and don't ship anything purchased via eBay and/or paid for via PayPal except to the confirmed address. Don't forget the tracking; that covers your butt, not the buyer's (as does insurance, just so you know....)

 

[coder82]

I don't know what I would have done without your advice. By the way, PayPal's policies changed a couple of weeks after this issue occured to allow shipment to unconfirmed address and still receive protection.

To everyone else, thank you for the good advice. I just can't believe that there's really nothing I can do with all the proof in the world that the recipient kept the merchandise, after receiving their money back.

Accept it as having paid the stupid tax and don't ship anything purchased via eBay and/or paid for via PayPal except to the confirmed address. Don't forget the tracking; that covers your butt, not the buyer's (as does insurance, just so you know....)

 

[Zigner]

I just can't believe that there's really nothing I can do

Sue the bad guy in small claims court.

 

[coder82]

That's sounds like a good idea, but by having to travel to Illinois, from PA, (and take time off of work), that is a good chunk of money out of the potential $800 I could recoup.

Sue the bad guy in small claims court.

 

[Zigner]

That's sounds like a good idea, but by having to travel to Illinois, from PA, (and take time off of work), that is a good chunk of money out of the potential $800 I could recoup.

Then, the situation is not that there is "nothing you can do", rather, there is nothing that makes economic sense for you. That is your choice.

 

[coder82]

You know what I meant. Anyone else have any ideas, in which I can recoup money, instead of spending more money to resolve this?

Thanks

Then, the situation is not that there is "nothing you can do", rather, there is nothing that makes economic sense for you. That is your choice.

 

[Mass_Shyster]

You know what I meant. Anyone else have any ideas, in which I can recoup money, instead of spending more money to resolve this?

Thanks

Find a collection agency who wants to take a crack at it.

 

[Zigner]

You know what I meant. Anyone else have any ideas, in which I can recoup money, instead of spending more money to resolve this?

Thanks

I did? How do you know that? Are you assuming I'm a mind reader just because you apparently are?

 

[coder82]

Thanks, I'll look into that.

Find a collection agency who wants to take a crack at it.