Facebook Trek Ad

[pfw1]

Yesterday I saw an ad on FB selling Trek bike for 99.99 on day only sale.  So I jumped on it and made the purchase for 3 bikes.  So I looked all day yesterday that the payment was accepted but ad said awaiting processing. Awaiting processing.  In the comments later there was on comment andI saw it said scam. So I went to send an email and i received a message, "The store is blocked due to fraudulent activity and violations of Ecwid Terms of Service.  If you made a purchase at this store contact your banks and request a chargeback.  for detail instructions please visit Ecwid help center.  Am i **bleep** on the bikes?  I'm at least glad I purchased via paypal.  

[Scottinkga]

You’re not alone. Did you have any other questionable activity on your account? The next morning I had $500 worth of unauthorized charges. Fortunately, my bank caught it and shut it down.

[LyndonHornet]

I got fooled by this scam, but Paypal hasn't been any help.  First they settled the case in my favor and then the reversed it today because the seller provided a USPS Proof of Delivery.  Not BIKE was delivered!  This is quite a sophisticated operation.  What have folks done to get their money back?  Thank you.

[pfw1]

I looked at the transaction again and received a msg. "Safari can't open the page "https://bikeus.best/products/account/orders? email=&orders+HRADV" because safari can't find the server "bestsus.best". I filed for a refund on the 3 transactions with PayPal, one from PayPal Credit, Cash balance, and Amex card all PayPal transactions.  Resolution center responded, "We'll get back to you on or before August 29. You can check the status of your case at any time in the Resolution Center"

.

[kernowlass]

@pfw1 

@LyndonHornet 

@Scottinkga 

How do I open a dispute with a seller when a purchase goes wrong?

You can open a dispute in the Resolution Centre of your PayPal account within 180 days of payment if:
•You don’t receive the item OR service
•You receive an item but it’s significantly different than the description on eBay or on the seller’s website (or you receive a totally different product).

By opening a dispute, you can communicate directly with your seller to work out a problem transaction.

If you reach an agreement with the seller you can close the dispute. If you're still not happy with the result, you can escalate the dispute into a claim. Paypal will review the claim and decide on reimbursement.

These steps apply to Personal accounts. If you have a Business account, please log in to see the steps that apply to you.

To open a dispute:
1.Log in to your PayPal account.
2. Click on the transaction and use the resolve a problem option at the bottom of that details page.

Note:
•Generally buyers must wait at least 7 days from the date of payment to escalate a dispute for an item not received
•Where an item has not been received, please ensure you have given the seller enough time before opening a dispute

Do not close the dispute until you have a refund or your item.
If a seller states that they can't refund until you have closed the dispute don't believe them.
Escalate the dispute to a claim within 20 days (before it times out), if you need Paypal to get involved.

If you lose because the seller provides a fake tracking number then post back here for more advice.
If the item arrives and its not what you ordered / not as described then make sure you change the dispute quickly from non receipt. If the dispute times out before you can change it then contact customer services to open a second dispute for the new reason.

Activate the below link in case you have to return the item at Paypals request (or the correct one for your country as this is the U.S link).
https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/returns

If that does not work then if you funded your paypal payment via a card then contact your card issuer and see if they will issue a chargeback.

[dragonmax3]

I had the same issue except it was an Instagram ad.... same bikes same deal... I disputed it with PayPal and they found in favor of the seller because they provided a tracking number. I even told the live customer service rep that there are people in the community that have been ripped off by the same scam... all they had to do was check here... They are clearly not interested in doing the right thing... I plan on closing my account as soon as my last transaction clears. I strongly suggest everyone do the same. There are other services that provide the same security. Maybe they understand that the consumers built this company.

[pfw1]

I was able to get a decision in my favor as the tracking number they gave me was fake.  I place the order for the bikes on like the 15th and the tracking number showed it was send on the 12th.  So how could they have known to have sent the bike to me on the 12th when I didn't order it until the 15th!

I was lucky that I was able to reach a customer service rep who was sympathetic to my plight and had seen what had happened because she was able to see the tracking numbers.  She was great.  I also had gone to the USPS and they pulled up the tracking numbers and showed the address where the packages were delivered.  Obviously they were not delivered to my address.  So yes I see all these scam ads that are being allowed to show up on Facebook and IG, which **bleep** me off that they are allowed.

[kernowlass]

@dragonmax3 

Paypal is just a payment processor that gives you 'some' buyer and 'some' seller protection.
So disputes for non receipt of item are mostly automated. Seller provides tracking that shows delivery = seller wins.
So then its your turn to do some work to assist Paypal in recovering your purchase price from your seller.

Firstly ring customer services and tell them that the number is fake or that the item was shown as shipped before you purchased it. With that information they may well just issue you a refund.

Secondly if they don't then... APPEAL
To submit an appeal on the dispute that was closed, PayPal asks that you obtain a detailed report from the shipper/courier (on their letterhead or some other form of official stationary) that includes the address the seller gave them for the shipment. Or one that includes a statement mentioning your address and saying the item was delivered to a different address. THEY DON'T HAVE TO SAY WHICH ADDRESS IT WAS SENT TO, JUST THAT IT WAS NOT DELIVERED TO YOUR ADDRESS.

Check tracking in below link to see where it went.
https://www.17track.net/en

When you have that, contact PayPal via phone (log on to your account and click contact at the bottom of the page, or via Facebook (send a Private Message to PayPal) or via Twitter (send a Direct Message to @AskPayPal) and say you want to appeal the denial of the dispute based on the shipper saying the item was delivered to a different address. Once it's submitted (you will be provided with directions on how to do that), the dispute will be reviewed further and a determination will be made.

You also have the option to contact your card issuer if you funded your paypal payment that way and see if they will do a chargeback for you.

[dragonmax3]

Thanks for you thoughtful advice. I feel that I've done more in this process than is reasonably required to recover my funds. I am simply going to close my account and use a different service going forward. I suggest that everyone in similar situations do the same. Frankly PayPal doesn't deserve our business if they knowingly turn a blind eye to fraud. I spoke to a live rep more than once so the whole automated excuse doesn't hold water. Good luck

[kernowlass]

@dragonmax3 

Well loads on here have got a refund after speaking to customer services and telling them its the fake tracking scam or provided the info I suggested.

But if you don't want to try anymore to get your money back then thats up to you.