Did I handle this correctly?

[happily single]

looking for thoughts what if I handled the following correctly.

In mid_December an artist posted some things in a private Facebook group. I chatted with her privately about a piece. I requested two small changes (smaller size and adding some words).she sent me a PayPal invoice. I immediately paid it [decemner 21st] . She even replied “wow that was quick”

I waited until December 28th to inquire on the status. She replied “she also indicated since it was coming from Spain (which she never disclosed and the price was quoted in US)there was no tracking info available, but “the package should arrive in 10-14days), which be be the 28th at the latest

On the 18th I messaged her asking if she could check anything since I hadn’t received the package. I told her if it didn’t arrive by the 30th I was going to file a PayPal claim.

She immediately responded telling me not to threaten her!

Sure enough, package still hasn’t arrived. I filed a PayPal dispute yesterday. She responds today telling me(very rudely) she doesn’t offer refunds, so too bad I need to wait. Then she sends another message telling me she is re-sending my print right now, via certified mail, so I have to sign for receipt, alluding to the fact that I received the first package.

Of course you can see that my original order was coming from the printer, yet she had another copy of this special order available at her studio immediately. Also, strange that the first order wasn’t able to be sent certified, but now the second one is. Hmmm

Anyway, how long would you have waited before filing a PayPal claim? At this point, and based on her nasty emails I don’t even want her art any longer.

Finally, I know very little about PayPal (other than they are really good at taking from my bank lol). Can I request they cancel the order and refund me?

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

IDK about Paypal rules, but after a month, I would tell her "thanks but too late" and go ahead with Payal.

 

[Lady Gaga]

Yes, you were right to file a claim immediately with Paypal. They are very good at resolving issues and refunding the customer.
You may want to call them right now and explain the situation. They can instruct you on how to refuse the package - don't open it.
You will need to send them all correspondence that you have had with the seller.

 

[NYCgrrl]

I would file with PayPal; too much time has already past.

 

[robinb]

Five weeks was plenty of time for her to get the item to you. You were beyond accommodating with her especially when she left out the whole "the item is coming from overseas" part out. It's one thing if you were expecting it to take a LONG time (like when you order from China) and quite another thing when you pay and expect the item in a week only to find out that it'll really take 4-5 weeks.

You did the right thing. I guess that if it arrives in less than a week and you still want the print you can open it up (I world video it) and make sure it was what you ordered and keep it if it looks good. You can always cancel the PayPal dispute.

 

[Luv0fDisney]

I would have done it after the 10-14 days was over. like immediately. This person was a scammer to hears like. People stink. I've had problems on ebay, so I know how you feel.

 

[usnuzuloose]

I no longer use paypal.

 

[starry_solo]

If it's a custom order, I am pretty sure PayPal doesn't provide buyer protection.

Presumably your claim was for item not received, if that's the case, then a working tracking number provided by the seller is sufficient if tracking shows its in transit.

 

[DisneyHardin]

Unless you sent the money via Paypal "friends and family", they have great customer service and will get you a refund. Just open a case. I had to open one back before Christmas for something I ordered from a website that never shipped and they would never respond to any messages. It took some time for the case because Paypal does give them other party lots of time to respond, but eventually I got my money back without any hassle.

 

[starry_solo]

https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/paypal-safety-and-security

What’s covered with PayPal Purchase Protection

• You bought a book, but received a DVD
• You bought an item described as “new,” but received something that was used
• You purchased 3 items, but only received 2
• The item was damaged during shipping
• The item is missing major parts (that the seller didn’t report)
• You purchased an item described as authentic, but received a knockoff instead

What’s not covered with PayPal Purchase Protection

• Real estate
• Motorized vehicles
• Custom-made goods that aren’t received
• Industrial machinery
• Prepaid cards
• Items that violate our policies
• Anything bought in person (not over the internet)
• Send Money transactions to friends or family
• Disputes filed more than 180 days after the purchase for item not received and significantly not as described claims
• Unauthorized transaction claims reported more than 60 days after the transaction date of the transaction
• Items that were described accurately by the seller

Based on your original posting about talking to an artist about pieces, I would guess that the item is a custom-made good.

When you paid through PayPal, did you use a credit card as the form of payment?

 

[DisneyHardin]

https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/paypal-safety-and-security

What’s covered with PayPal Purchase Protection

• You bought a book, but received a DVD
• You bought an item described as “new,” but received something that was used
• You purchased 3 items, but only received 2
• The item was damaged during shipping
• The item is missing major parts (that the seller didn’t report)
• You purchased an item described as authentic, but received a knockoff instead

What’s not covered with PayPal Purchase Protection

• Real estate
• Motorized vehicles
• Custom-made goods that aren’t received
• Industrial machinery
• Prepaid cards
• Items that violate our policies
• Anything bought in person (not over the internet)
• Send Money transactions to friends or family
• Disputes filed more than 180 days after the purchase for item not received and significantly not as described claims
• Unauthorized transaction claims reported more than 60 days after the transaction date of the transaction
• Items that were described accurately by the seller

Based on your original posting about talking to an artist about pieces, I would guess that the item is a custom-made good.

When you paid through PayPal, did you use a credit card as the form of payment?

I don't know if they choose to bend this rule or what, but they definitely have buyer protection for custom made goods because they advertise that they do when you purchase something from ETSY.

 

[happily single]

I don't know if they choose to bend this rule or what, but they definitely have buyer protection for custom made goods because they advertise that they do when you purchase something from ETSY.

Maybe they are not considering it custom made as It was an existing piece I requested changes to?

Either way I still have not received the first package which she claims shipped on JAnuary 4th. She did respond to my complaint, including our entire exchange, including the one where she said she doesn’t offer refunds. Still waiting for PayPal’s next move

 

[Imzadi]

Of course you can see that my original order was coming from the printer, yet she had another copy of this special order available at her studio immediately. Also, strange that the first order wasn’t able to be sent certified, but now the second one is. Hmmm

Anyway, how long would you have waited before filing a PayPal claim? At this point, and based on her nasty emails I don’t even want her art any longer.

You were right to file with PayPal. They always side on the Buyer over the Seller. You should have done it sooner as PayPal had a deadline for filing disputes. Hope you made the deadline.

Since you don't even want it anymore and it took so long to be sent, just refuse the package. You have a right for it to be sent in a timely manner. IF she really sent it certified, you have to sign for it.

She may have simply sent an empty box. Especially since she suddenly has another one to send you. Scammers do that. The box is so obviously sealed badly that it "appears" the item fell out of the box during shipping. (Usually the postage is the amount for an empty box. ) However, they show the tracking to PayPal and expect that will suffice as proof they sent it.