First time using Paypal Goods and Services

[Samulo]

Hello everyone, 

A bit of context, I am based in Slovakia and want to conduct a transaction with an individual that is based in the US. I got recommended Paypal goods and services for this trade to ensure that both parties are protected. Given this is my first time utilizing this payment method I would like to ask a few questions to ensure my transaction goes smoothly and is protected. 

1. Does the buyer protection apply even if I am sending a payment under the goods and services to an account that is registered under personal email and it is not a business entity? 

2. In case of the item arrives not being as described, or not arriving at all, how do I approach the situation when requesting refund, if our deal has been arranged in a private conversation on the internet and not through a third-party platform like Ebay, Grailed? (and in such a case is the likelihood of me receiving a refund unlikely given it has not been organized by authorized platform?) 

3. Does it matter in any way whether the funds are sent from paypal balance or the debit card? 

Any other advice/recommendations are appreciated, 

Thank you for help in advance. 

[kernowlass]

@Samulo 

1. Yes.

2.

That depends on many factors all listed in Paypals buyer protection policy for you to read so you can risk assess your transactions.
Legal (bottom right of Paypals pages) > user agreement > buyer protection.
3. Not with paypal, but if you lose a paypal dispute and you funded your paypal payment via a credit card then you have a second option to get a refund by filing a chargeback via your card issuer.

Be very wary of scams and also that you may have to return any item back to the seller at your own expense if you win a dispute.

Also buyer protection is not a 100% coverall so you need to read up on it to risk assess your sale.

[Samulo]

Okay thank you for the advice. 

Do you recommend also issuing the invoice through paypal is a good way to take extra precautions, or is it not necessary if I am executing the order through goods and services option? 

[kernowlass]

@Samulo 

Invoice or money request better as you can fully describe the item that you are selling which helps if the buyer opens a dispute for 'not as described'.

However be careful, scammers often ask you to do that so that they then have your email address to send you FAKE SCAM paypal emails.

No funds in your paypal balance =  you have NOT been paid regardless of what the email tells you.

Also you may need to send the invoice in the currency you want to receive.

Checkout paypal fees.

Also you would be subject to paypals new seller hold as per link (funds SHOW in your balance but on hold).

https://www.paypal.com/us/smarthelp/article/my-payment-is-on-hold.-why-is-this-happening-faq3297

[Samulo]

And does the same apply if I’m a buyer in this transaction? Or is it enough if I describe the item in the description note of the payment? Thank you for all the help I appreciate all the information.

[kernowlass]

@Samulo 

Yes same applies then if you receive a misdescribed item you can point to the invoice description to prove what the item should have been.