christineq
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posted on July 23, 2001 05:26:58 PM new
Hi,
I have a little ecommerce site and accept payments through Paypal. I received some money into my Paypal account, from a Paypal user who is verified and has a confirmed address. There was no order from that person for any goods. I sent them mail saying "Thanks for the money, but if you've placed an order, I haven't yet received it. Did you fill out the order form on the website?" I received a response that said "Please return the funds in question. I think there has been a mistake. Thank you."
No explanation. I can't imagine how someone could mistakenly transfer money. What's my best course of action? Should I just transfer back the money (less the amount charged by Paypal) to the person? I can't think of any good reason not to.
Yes, I sent mail to Paypal asking for advice. I got a partial answer and a load of marketing blabber, which is annoying.
Thanks,
christineq
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yisgood
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posted on July 24, 2001 08:47:24 AM new
Is it a large sum? I have heard that folks sign up with stolen CC and send a payment. Then you send it back and "covert" it into cash. But when the original fraud shows up, you get the charge back.
http://www.ygoodman.com
[email protected]
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christineq
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posted on July 24, 2001 10:45:59 AM new
Thanks for the reply, yisgood.
It's not a huge amount. Originally 52, less Paypal's 1.81=50.19. I won't write a check; I think it's better if I don't "touch" the money. I intend to just send the money back through Paypal, but I wondered if there was a "gotcha" in doing that that I hadn't thought of.
christineq
www.hotflashdesign.com.
[ edited by christineq on Jul 24, 2001 11:02 AM ]
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christineq
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posted on July 24, 2001 11:10:01 AM new
It seems as though the avenue of "least liability" for me is to tell the person to just cancel the charge with their credit card company.
Does this seem right?
christineq
www.hotflashdesign.com
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yisgood
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posted on July 24, 2001 02:03:02 PM new
Not a good idea. PP will get a charge back. You will look like a crook. They will probably freeze your account. I think for $52 you should just send it back, it sounds like a genuine mistake. You can also email [email protected].
http://www.ygoodman.com
[email protected]
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paypaldamon
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posted on July 24, 2001 04:23:30 PM new
Hi,
The best thing to do here is to send the money back to the user. It sounds like they made a mistake.
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pez1960
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posted on July 24, 2001 05:04:03 PM new
Damon-
For a person with a Premier/Business account that got a payment 'by mistake'would they be obligated to send back the whole amount? The seller who is being charged $1.80 would just lose that or can they deduct it?
Just wondering- as I wanted to refund a buyer who paid me for an auction that no online payment was offered (it was a small sale) and they paid using my email addy when it clearly stated in my auction I didnt accept PP/Billpoint. It would have cost me even more to refund and they buyer ended up 'getting their way' and going against my auction terms in the process.
Could you add in the suggestion box, that a way to refund a payment be offered ?(like Billpoint does) It would make situations like these easier to handle, and if it is similiar to the other service, no charge would be made to the seller for doing so. Thanks!
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christineq
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posted on July 24, 2001 09:12:42 PM new
In their favor, the money was sent from a verified/confirmed account.
Not in their favor is the incomprehensible nature of the mistake, and their request that I just return the funds by writing them a check.
Paypaldamon, am I protected from a chargeback if I refund the money under these circumstances?
christineq
www.hotflashdesign.com
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SnowDog2001
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posted on July 25, 2001 05:25:23 AM new
Send the money back, (minus the $1.80). Let them pay the fee for their 'mistake'. Do not write a check. What would be the point?
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retired2late
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posted on July 25, 2001 02:25:55 PM new
The reason they want you to send them a check is because they don't want to have to pay the fee to receive the money back.
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pez1960
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posted on July 25, 2001 06:18:25 PM new
retired-
Sounds like you hit the 'nail on the head'- if they are a 'paying' customer (Premier or Business) they would end up paying around $3.00 in total for sending it to her.
I am still curious as to Damon's take on this though. If we deduct the fees we are charged for an 'accident', are there ramifications? Or if in my case,if I had done a refund, can I deduct the fees if it is the buyers mistake? Or do we 'eat' the fees in both instances?
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yisgood
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posted on July 25, 2001 06:22:12 PM new
Another reason for asking for a check: they will then do a charge back for goods not received and of course you will have no online trackable way of showing the refund.
http://www.ygoodman.com
[email protected]
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plpldndn
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posted on July 26, 2001 07:43:48 AM new
How can you return (not accept) the money without getting hit with the paypal charges?
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christineq
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posted on July 26, 2001 11:49:29 AM new
Resolution:
The person who sent me money by mistake said they took a look at my website and instead of a refund, they ordered 3 of my product. At $15 each and $5 shipping and handling, I said "Ok!"
I'm still as mystified as I was at the beginning but there's no reason to not make a sale.
christineq
www.hotflashdesign.com
[ edited by christineq on Jul 26, 2001 11:50 AM ]
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