How does Paypal claims work?

[shawnapants]

I bought a purse on eBay about a month ago, after I received it I saw that the item was completely misrepresented in its auction. The seller says on their auction that they give refunds within 7 days. I immediately contacted them that night expressing my thoughts and the next day I said I wanted a refund. There was no response from the seller. I decided to contact Paypal and immediately file a dispute and move it up as a claim. The seller (to my knowledge) did not give Paypal any additional information as they request during the waiting period for a dispute. I am assuming that it would be visible on their website since the seller and I could have negotiated on there? Regardless, Paypal contacted me yesterday telling me that “they have heard from the seller” and Paypal is now doing a review. Today they e-mailed me saying that I am eligible for a full refund under Paypal’s coverage policy and that I have 10 days to send the purse back.

I did a bit of research and some people claim to have bad experience with this and Paypal such as; sending the item back and them never getting the refund. I'm just wondering what anyone’s experience has been. Should I send it back or is there another way to figure this out? Also, who gives you the money? Does Paypal give it to you or do they take the money from the seller? Thank you for your time and any answers.

Let me also add that after receiving my item the seller has accumulated a lot of bad feedback. Talking about misrepresentation, and even some saying that the seller agreed to a refund and they never went through with it.

[Inazuma]

Send it back and make 100% certain you get an online tracking number. Anything less and PayPal won't believe you when you tell them you sent it back.

[Hobie-wan]

Yup. take a picture of what the item looks like before you send it so they don't say you destroyed it and sent it back, get tracking like Inazuma said, and keep/scan the post office receipt which will show you sent a package and have the zip code and date sent on it.

[gtmtnbiker]

You could save a little money if you use paypal to pay for the shipping. Weigh the package using an appropriate scale and then create a shipping label with paypal. Tracking will be free and there's no additional cost for using PayPal. Print out the label and tape it to your package. Then just drop it off at the post office.

I recently did a claim and the whole process took about 7 days before I got my money back. Paypal credited my account at the end.

Another user on this forum had an issue with getting a credit because he did not supply a tracking number. Don't make this mistake.