HELP: First-time model kit purchase via PayPal - how to protect myself

[Stef]

Hello everyone

A model car YouTuber is selling a super rare kit on behalf of his friend, and I've been lucky enough to purchase it. No other takers, perhaps.

The owner is selling it via PayPal, and I'm unsure how trustworthy such a transaction can be.

Will there be a postage tracking number?

How long will it take to get to me?

What recourse do I have if the seller flakes?

What sort of questions should I ask the seller before sending money?

Thanks so much, I love this board, and you guys build some truly amazing models.

I've finally finished off a couple of my own after a 10+ year hiatus, and will be posting pics soon.

Thanks again!

 

[Ace-Garageguy]

I recommend you forego getting opinions or "I heard" from people who may or may not know what they're talking about.

PayPal has very specific rules regarding "buyer protection", and the best place to go for information is directly to the source.

https://www.paypal.com/us/selfhelp/article/What-is-PayPal-Purchase-Protection-FAQ645

Generally, if you buy through Ebay or from other legitimate online vendors, you're covered. Buying from an individual (not through a recognized 3rd party like Ebay or Etsy, etc.) you may be SOL. 

 

Edited May 15, 2017 by Ace-Garageguy

[THarrison351]

I may be an idiot or just dumb lucky, (no comments please) but I've been using PayPal as a buyer and seller for about 15 years. I have used it for transactions other than eBay. So far, I have never had a problem. If the seller is shipping they should be able to supply you a tracking number, UPS, USPS, etc. Your tracking number should tell you how long it takes to get to you. I know through eBay if you don't get satisfaction, you will receive a refund, eventually. I've never had to pursue a refund, the seller was always willing to work with me. The same goes for me as a seller, if my buyer was unsatisfied I offered a refund, either partial or whole dependent on circumstance.

[peteski]

Same here - happy PayPal user since early 2000s. If this is not an eBay transaction then I think it is up to the seller to provide tracking numbers, etc. PayPal is just used for the monetary transaction.  I buy and sell items from and to people I know from online forums and I have not been burned yet.  But I have known those people for years and from what they post and how they act I can tell they are honest.

I have not done any transactions with people I do not have any history about. You at least probably shouldn't use a "friends and family" money transfer directly from your bank account. It would be safer to use a credit card transfer (and pay the fees). That way you will at least have a credit card protection if something goes wrong. But before you send any money, work out all the details (like what shipping option they will use and whether there will be tracking) with the seller.

[1930fordpickup]

I agree Peter. I would not use the friends and family. That way you can go back on the seller if you have problems. Figure out all shipping beforehand. 

[niteowl7710]

If you have any doubts about the transaction make sure you send the money as a "Goods & Services" transfer NOT as "Friends & Family".  Goods & Services transfers are covered by PayPal protections as outlined above with the ability to claw back the money if the seller doesn't make good on the sale. Friends and Family transactions are treated like you gave your best friend $100 and he never paid you back.  There is a transaction fee for the Goods & Service transfer that will be charged to the seller, and they may want to charge you for it, but for the extra piece of mind you may find it to be worth the few bucks.

As others have said PayPal is just the bank between you and the Seller, they don't have anything to do with shipping or any of that.  How long it would take the kit to you depends on where it is - compared to your location in Canada, and how it's sent to you.  If it's coming from the U.S. be aware that regular USPS tracking services may cease when the package crosses the border into the hands of the Canadian Postal Service.  Just like for some reason we here in the States can't get accurate tracking on packages from Hong Kong, Ukraine, or Spain for some reason.

[Nacho Z]

Very recently, I was swindled by a (new) board member here.  He had a kit that I have wanted for some time, at a good price.  Just search on my name and you will find the post with more details.  I used PayPal, and long story short, I was refunded my entire amount.  There is a process that you must go through.  The seller never responded to PayPal so the process was fairly quick.  My advice to you is that if the transaction looks like it going off the rails, do not let the seller string you along.  Give them a fair chance but if they keep giving you excuses as to why you have not received the goods, begin the PayPal process.

[Stef]

Hello everyone

Awesome! Thank you all for the super advice, it really means a lot! You've all been very helpful.

Yes, I'm in Canada, and the seller is in the US, and he just responded with more helpful info as well.

So hopefully, within a few years, Canada Post will get around to stopping by, and deliver it nice, rather than stuff it through the mail slot.

A man can dream.

 

 

[modelercarl]

Well this isn't an opinion, it's factual experience...and I do know what I am talking about.  I have used Paypal for years now and have always used "payment for goods and services" for the protection it offers...only had 1 problem with the many transactions and Paypal refunded my costs quickly.  It is a very reliable service and usually the transactions are completed on a timely basis.

[Stef]

Hello modelercarl, thanks for your help; I made sure to select "Goods and Services", and the seller has kept in touch, so I'm feeling confident things will go smoothly.

Now if only Canada Customs will let the kit into the country without a $500 "model release" form, heh.

[gtx6970]

Paypal via goods and services . They have until about a week before Paypals deadline to deliver .

At that time I file a non delivery of goods claim.

 

I got screwed big time over a fraud buyer on ebay about 6 or 7 years ago. Sold him 3 cars worth $450 , He filed a damaged claim ,,,he then  sent back 2 completely different cars worth about $30 on a good day .  Paypal could care less, He insured them for the full $450 , which makes me have to sign at delivery . But once I opened it up and saw what he'd done. I told Paypal and even sent them  pictures of what I sent him and what he sent me,,,,Paypal basically gave me tough chit reply. So yes im not a paypal advocate 

 

I refuse to send payment via friends and family method on a 1st time transaction. Its goods and services or I''ll pass on the whole deal.

[om617]

I refuse to send payment via friends and family method on a 1st time transaction. Its goods and services or I''ll pass on the whole deal.

This pretty much sums it up for me too.

 

[Ace-Garageguy]

Another example of Ebay and PayPal working correctly...

First time in over 2000 transactions that the USPS actually LOST a purchase; it simply stopped progressing through the tracking system on August 12. It just ceased to exist, far as anyone can tell. The tracking number STILL shows it as of the Aug. 12 update...no movement.

Filed a 'didn't receive item' action, as per the usual Ebay procedure, and though the seller initially refused to refund, citing the old "I mailed it and it's not my fault", Ebay / PayPal took MY side, citing the fact that USPS priority comes with automatic $100 insurance, and that the sender needed to file a PO claim on HIS end...and I got MY money back from PayPal, taken from the sender's account.

Also, the current significant-other female ordered something from China through Ebay, and when it arrived, it was an entirely different design and color from the one shown in the auction photos. Again, foot-dragging on the part of the seller. Opened another action, sent photos, etc, got a refund from PayPal.

As Nacho Z says above "my advice to you is that if the transaction looks like it's going off the rails, do not let the seller string you along. Give them a fair chance but if they keep giving you excuses as to why you have not received the goods, begin the PayPal process".

 

 

Edited September 6, 2017 by Ace-Garageguy

[Rob Hall]

I've used PayPal for at least 15 years with no problems.   I've had a few eBay (and resin caster orders) that never arrived and got refunds.    After 15+ years and thousands of transactions--both US and abroad, I'm confident in using them.    Definitely wouldn't go back to old-time 20th century ways of paying like money orders or checks.   I recently had a problem with a resin caster in Canada and was able to file a claim and get a refund through PayPal pretty painlessly. 

 

Edited September 7, 2017 by Rob Hall

[Brizio]

 

I bought stuff using Paypal since early 2000 and never had any issue.

I will answer your question this way:

 

The owner is selling it via PayPal, and I'm unsure how trustworthy such a transaction can be. 

-Paypal is great to use, if something goes wrong they have protection.

Will there be a postage tracking number?

-It depend what shipping method you or the seller is using. I usually like the Priority Mail. It offer tracking number and is cheap.

How long will it take to get to me?

-Also her it depend what shipping you or the seller use. The seller is in the US? If he is in the US, with Priority Mail it will take 6-10 business day.

What recourse do I have if the seller flakes?

Paypal have protection. You can also ask the seller to list the model on Ebay, on buy it now. So you also can have Ebay protection.

What sort of questions should I ask the seller before sending money?

-Ask them what shipping he is planning to use and if it has tracking number.  If he can list the model on Ebay, buy it now.

 

Good luck! I hope everything goes well!

[Mike999]

What recourse do I have if the seller flakes?

Paypal have protection. You can also ask the seller to list the model on Ebay, on buy it now. So you also can have Ebay protection.

I had an eBay buyer flake just last month, if anybody ever wondered about that.  He won my auction, and never sent payment. Or responded to me in any way.  After sending him 2 invoices and waiting more than a week, I "opened a case for non-payment " with eBay (which is very easy).  After a couple more weeks, eBay messaged me and suggested I close the case. They refunded my Final Value Fee and banned the buyer. At least under that user-name.

This guy had zero feedbacks.  I like to give newbies the benefit of the doubt, since we all have to start somewhere. But zero-feedback bidders always make me a little nervous.