Dispute "resolved" -- Do I have to lie on customs forms?

[wrongpowercord]

Hi,

I ordered a replacement power cord, and after a couple weeks received a different one which does not work with my device. After a couple weeks of the seller not responding to my emails, I started a conversation with the seller through Paypal. They did respond, and finally agreed to refund my purchase -- on the condition that I pay, out of pocket, for international return shipping and, most importantly, lie about the purchase price so they don't have to pay taxes. They have stated that they will refuse the return if I put the real price on the customs form.

At that point I escalated the dispute to PayPal. Today I received a form email from PayPal saying that I will receive a refund of the purchase price when the seller receives the item. The email does say that I have to pay shipping. Fine, I'll pay international shipping once, but the seller has already stated in writing that they will refuse the return if I put the actual purchase price on the customs form. The shipping took two weeks after I placed the order, if it takes two weeks to get there and two weeks to get back, that's a full month from now.

How should I handle this?

[nevadasmith]

paypal robot does not read email ,so when tracking shows delivered to the address it gave you,you get your original payment back.

as to customs,you can write on the form that it is a return item,I don't remember the exac t term,meaning you are just returning it back to the vendor,he did not buy anything from you.

there should be an option for you on the form 

[kernowlass]

@wrongpowercord

Unfortunately if it is not delivered to the address but refused then your claim may be denied.

However you would need to phone customer services and state that they check the tracking number to show that you have done everything asked of you and you should get your refund.

[wrongpowercord]

Hi @kernowlass,

This seems to be a way to complete the return without lying to customs. Thanks! 

[wrongpowercord]

Hi, @nevadasmith,

Sorry, this advice doesn't seem to be about the situation I described.

The seller doesn't want to pay the correct taxes. I know I won't be taxed on my end.

The seller has stated they will refuse my return, so it couldn't be marked delivered.

[nevadasmith]

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@wrongpowercord wrote:

Hi, @nevadasmith,

Sorry, this advice doesn't seem to be about the situation I described.

The seller doesn't want to pay the correct taxes. I know I won't be taxed on my end.

The seller has stated they will refuse my return, so it couldn't be marked delivered.

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you bought a power cord from overseas seller,now you are returning it,back to him ,his customs office should not charge any customs duty as it is not a purchase he made,he is getting his item back,how is my suggestion not applicable to your situation.

on the label,there is aplace to state this is a return and if customs is awake ,I would not levy any customer duty for goods coming back to the country.

The other advice would give yu more work,if seller refused return,you have to call PAYPAL and explain,giving the poor training of PAYPAL staff,there is no gurantee the outcome would be in your favor.

[kernowlass]

@wrongpowercord

My advice was correct.

Unfortunately if it is not delivered to the address but refused then your claim may be denied.

However you would need to phone customer services and state that they check the tracking number to show that you have done everything asked of you and you should get your refund.

When i say if it is not delivered to the address that INCLUDES it sitting in customs because the seller won't pay any customs fee.

So either way if he refuses to pay the fee OR refuses delivery its the same thing and you would need to do as I stated above.