posted on January 12, 2001 08:11:40 PM
Should I pay for items over $500 with a credit card to protect me from fraud? If I go through PayPal, can I do a chargeback against the seller if I don't receive the item, or would the chargeback be against PayPal? Can checks or money orders do anything like being charged back?
posted on January 13, 2001 04:54:55 AM
What are you buying?
Where is the seller?
What does their ACTUAL transaction record look like. Id they bought cheap stuff until they got FB then started advertising computers or other expensive stuf, make sure they have ACTUALLT delivered the computers to everyone who bought more than a month ago.
posted on January 13, 2001 06:46:05 AM
Speaking as a long time buyer I have kept all my auction transactions under $100, credit card paid or not. $100 is the amount of money I am willing to gamble, and each transaction is a gamble. I would like to say that every "gamble" has been successful.
On the other hand I never bid on computers, computer parts, any other electronics, or high end jewelry, accessories or antiques. It seems to me that that is where most of the fraud comes from.
That's just me. Others may bid on high ticket items and it works fine for them, and I'm sure they will post their opinions.
On the other hand, dh always bids on specific event tickets which are always in excess of $100 and could easily be rife with fraud, and has yet to be burned.
posted on January 13, 2001 06:46:17 AM
Speaking as a long time buyer I have kept all my auction transactions under $100, credit card paid or not. $100 is the amount of money I am willing to gamble, and each transaction is a gamble. I would like to say that every "gamble" has been successful.
On the other hand I never bid on computers, computer parts, any other electronics, or high end jewelry, accessories or antiques. It seems to me that that is where most of the fraud comes from.
That's just me. Others may bid on high ticket items and it works fine for them, and I'm sure they will post their opinions.
On the other hand, dh always bids on specific event tickets which are always in excess of $100 and could easily be rife with fraud, and has yet to be burned.
posted on January 13, 2001 09:54:39 AM
For big ticket items from unknown sellers, YES, look to pay by credit card. You are fully protected against fraud.
Billpoint is best for this occasion (unless seller can take a card directly, which is really the best).
PayPal won't accept your $500 payment without a lot of hassle, and while you can invoke your chargeback rights if something goes wrong, PayPal has been known to punish those who do so.
I've bought $2000 items from 0/sunglass sellers in Australia with full confidence. They took my card. (and all went well)
posted on January 13, 2001 12:25:26 PM
This item will end up costing me around $750.00. It is a computer monitor, and the seller's feedback is over 40 with 0 negatives. About half seem to be buying and half selling. I was actually offered COD, and I think this would be a nice alternative, although the monitor may end up not working even if I do get it, so CC would still be the best way to go.
posted on January 13, 2001 01:10:57 PM
Given my very recent (like "today" experience with a hundreds-FB seller whose big-ticket item still wasn't described (and who fortunately will refund with no problem), I'd recommend the CC payment method, just for your own peace of mind. The option of a chargeback at least gives you some recourse if the deal turns sour (such as if you pay for the monitor COD and then find out it's a dud once you get it in the house). Remember that Ebay fraud protection covers only $200, and there's a $25 deductible.
posted on January 13, 2001 02:27:06 PM
Yes, credit cards are the way to go for expensive items particularly. For non-delivery, it is reasonably straightforward to get a chargeback (if needed) against a credit card. For damage, or wrongful description, it is a little bit more tricky, as credit card companies sometimes have a limit where the goods have to be, say, $100 or more to qualify for refund. If this happens, don't just say "ok"... I have persisted for a much smaller sum over an item a seller packed badly and which arrived damaged. A chargeback is hopefully in the offing.
The best thing to do is to ask your credit card company what their terms are, or look at your agreement again.
posted on January 13, 2001 02:44:55 PM
I agree with Mivona- a credit card is the safest way to go. BUT, if you pay through Paypal, make certain you pay with a credit card and not funds you have in the Paypal account, because using those funds is not a credit card transaction.
I made a purchase of an item that was $900 and the item was incomplete. I asked the seller for the parts, and they didn't have them and was not willing to refund. Called my CC compant, they told me to send it back insured with a receiver's signature and fax them a copy of the returned receipt.
Upon doing the above, the CC company credited me the full amount.
A check or MO offers little recourse in having a third party get your refund unless you pay someone to try to get your money back, and law enforcement generally isn't interested unless there are alot of people affected for a large amount of money - but even then, you aren't likely to get your money back, and if the seller is in another state it gets more complicated with checks and MOs. A CC transaction is straight forward and the CC company has direct recourse against the seller - the CC company will refund you, and then it is up to them to get their money back from the seller. This is the reason Paypal wants Verified accounts- Paypal can go into your bank account and get their money back, or withhold payments in your account to satisfy the chargeback.
experience with a hundreds-FB seller whose big-ticket item still wasn't described (and who fortunately will refund with no problem), I'd recommend the CC payment method, just for your own peace of mind. The option of a chargeback at least gives you some recourse if the deal turns sour (such as if you pay for the monitor COD and then find out it's a dud once you get it in the house). Remember that Ebay fraud protection covers only $200, and there's a $25 deductible.