Making a claim through Paypal

[5FDP]

Just wanting some advice - I purchased a couple of items from Canada through eBay which I paid for on the 6th of Feb which haven't arrived as yet. I have since bought several other items from the US which have all arrived; some were even bought two weeks after the above purchase.

The transaction got off on the wrong foot from the start with the seller not sticking to communication timeframes which he set and telling me that one item was damaged and not as described which we have mutually agreed on a replacement.

I contacted him yesterday to inform him that my items had not yet arrived and that the tracking number provided shows that it wasn't even sent by Canada Post, only that tracking information was received by them.

His reply was "Ground shipping takes up to 8 weeks or more sometimes. It will arrive eventually. Canada post tracking is atrocious", which to me doesn't help at all. I have this feeling in my gut that because things started off badly that he never even posted the items.

I've since gone into Paypal to log a dispute and hopefully get my money back however I've never done this before. It asks me to provide additional information about the transaction which appears to then send an email to the seller. I don't see the point as I've taken it as far as possible with the seller and now just want my money refunded as I have Paypal protection.

Is there a way I can skip this step and just lodge a claim through Paypal? I realise too that I've only got 40 calendar days to resolve this so waiting 8 weeks like the seller stated is not an option.

[canofwhoopass_87]

Hey bud

You can immediately escalate the dispute to a claim. Open the dispute and find the option (I think it's on the bottom somewhere). Paypal will ask a reason for escalating and once you submit, the whole process should take a couple of weeks to be decided.

I've probably had about 5 parcels in total sent to me from Canada via airmail over the years and they never took longer than 2-3 weeks to arrive. From the info you have provided however, it looks like it was sent via sea mail. This could take up to 3 months.

The tracking is probably just a customs number as well - which only indicates that Canada Post received notification that it was shipped. There won't be any other updates I wouldn't think.

IMO it sounds like he has sent it, but it won't hit our shores for a long time. What's his ebay feedback like?

[5FDP]

Thanks for the input Whoopy :)

His got a positive feedback of 100% and a feedback score of 60. There was a bunch of items he was selling at the same time as mine and everyone else has received theirs. There appears to be only one other international buyer though and his comments were "After 4 weeks, the item finally arrived. Otherwise very good!"

So you think I should wait a little longer?

[canofwhoopass_87]

Well considering you purchased through ebay and paid via paypal - getting your money back in the event of a mishap shouldn't be a problem whatsoever.

I strongly suggest waiting another couple of weeks, since he shipped via sea mail. Whatever you do though, do not withdraw/cancel the dispute. Once you cancel it - that's it. You can't open up another.

So maybe just leave it at the dispute level and escalate to a claim when you have no patience left or when that 40 day calendar dispute expiry date draws near. Whichever comes first :p (that's if it doesn't arrive hehe)

In future, I reckon it's best to just stick with airmail if you ever decide to go Canadian and buy stuff from there. Only lightweight items though, as anything 1kg or more is probably going to set you back $50-$60. Canada post is a real wallet basher

Anyway let us know how you go

[5FDP]

Thanks buddy, that was very helpful.

I'll take your advice and wait a bit longer. By my calculation I have until March 23rd to lodge a dispute (I discovered it's actually 45 days from the date of payment) so there is still time.

[Decepticon]

I purchases an item off ebay on the 25th Jan and it only arrived on the 29th Feb so i would say just wait a little longer. Thats my advice.

[liegeprime]

Canada post is indeed atrocious, especially ground post. Dunno what they do there but it feels like someone walks from one end of Canada to the other end just to ship a parcel - on foot.:mad::mad::mad:. As everyone said, wait a bit more but don't let it reach beyond the 45 waiting period coz otherwise you wont get your money back.

[5FDP]

Canada post is indeed atrocious, especially ground post. Dunno what they do there but it feels like someone walks from one end of Canada to the other end just to ship a parcel - on foot.:mad::mad::mad:.

That's funny cause I had a similar mental image or something like a Canadian mountie on a pony.


I purchases an item off ebay on the 25th Jan and it only arrived on the 29th Feb so i would say just wait a little longer. Thats my advice.


As everyone said, wait a bit more but don't let it reach beyond the 45 waiting period coz otherwise you wont get your money back.

Hmmm... I'm seeing a theme here but I just can't quite put my finger on it...

Thanks guys :)

[VGMStudios]

Canada post is indeed atrocious, especially ground post. Dunno what they do there but it feels like someone walks from one end of Canada to the other end just to ship a parcel - on foot.:mad::mad::mad:. As everyone said, wait a bit more but don't let it reach beyond the 45 waiting period coz otherwise you wont get your money back.

I tend to agree. Our Postal system is horrid. They take forever to do anything. Forget about filling a report if they damage something. They take forever to do anything. Was this package coming from Quebec?
Wait a little longer but do not pass the 45 day mark as stated. Escalate the claim on the 44th day at the latest. Otherwise youll be out $$.
Yes I hate our postal service.

[Zippo]

Yep, one of the reasons I stopped dealing with anyone in Canada.
So slow, so expensive!

[5FDP]

Was this package coming from Quebec?

Nope, Lethbridge Alberta.

[canofwhoopass_87]

So did the stuff arrive Mr 5FDP?

[5FDP]

Nope, still hasn't shown :(

I logged a dispute last Sunday (which according to eBay was the last day I could do so) and immediately escalated it to a claim. Waiting to hear from Paypal now.

Not sure how good my chances are as I have read if the seller provides a tracking number Paypal will almost always rule in favour of the seller.

[canofwhoopass_87]

Nope, still hasn't shown :(

I logged a dispute last Sunday (which according to eBay was the last day I could do so) and immediately escalated it to a claim. Waiting to hear from Paypal now.

Not sure how good my chances are as I have read if the seller provides a tracking number Paypal will almost always rule in favour of the seller.

Only if the tracking shows that the item was delivered. I reckon you shouldn't have any problems claiming your money back. If the package ends up at your doorstep in a few weeks, you can simply send the money to the seller again.

I really feel for the seller though. Based on the info you've provided, I think he's just been let down by the postal services. Sea (snail) mail should really be phased out for regular private mail. It was ok back in the 1800's, but not anymore.

[5FDP]

Yeah, I feel sorry for him as well. When logging a dispute it sends an email to the other party. I made it clear to him that I don't hold him accountable and I still intend on leaving positive feedback (he's already done the same for me).

So, does a successful claim involve Paypal invoicing the seller to get the money back? I assumed this would be coming out of Paypal's pockets, sort of like an insurance claim :confused:

[canofwhoopass_87]

Nah I'm pretty sure paypal just debit that amount from him. Anywho, I guess there's a lesson to be learned here - you gota go airmail with Canadapost.

[5FDP]

So... I got my refund. They (Paypal) actually do get your money back from the seller. It took the seller all of a couple of hours to email me after he received the same notice. Pity he wasn't as quick on the 'reply' button while we were actually dealing with each other. And still no sign of a package :rolleyes:

[jazzcomp]

Is there a postage requirement for not receiving the item? Just tracking? Or need it insured?

[drifand]

Is there a postage requirement for not receiving the item? Just tracking? Or need it insured?

Tracking and insurance are normally encouraged.

However I have done a lot of claims of non insured or tracking items.

For example, I had a lousy French seller on Ebay who sold me a VF-25F Macross armour since 23rd of Sept, he delayed 5 days and his communication is extremely slow.

It is now the 20th Oct, almost a month and still no sign of it. Lancelot and myself were chatting about these Macross Valks for a very long time and he knows I bought my valk a week later or so after this armour and yet the valk had arrived from Japan and this is still waiting.

I have launched a dispute "just in case" the item for dispute missed the deadline.

Overall Ebay has ups and downs but most of the time my arse is covered.

I do not know how Paypal will work well with other online stores though.

[jazzcomp]

Since most claims are thru ebay, does paypal protect non-ebay personal transactions as well?

[UltraMarginal]

Since most claims are thru ebay, does paypal protect non-ebay personal transactions as well?

I think they do to a point as long as the money wasn't sent as a gift.