Got a problem with eBay / PayPal

[Qwerty12341]

Something VERY STRANGE and complicated thing happened here. I tried to buy a watch from eBay, and chose PayPal credit for my payment. In PayPal credit, there was an option called "Split". Since the price of the watch was high, I chose "spilt" option and chose my Dicover credit card and Visa debit card. Also, I set up Mastercard debit card as "back up card." The purchase was successfully done at that time, and I even got an email from PayPal that the transaction is successfully done from Discover credit card and Visa debit card. Even the money went out from my debit and credit card as well, and the seller shipped the item. The problem starts here. Suddenly after few days, the money came back to my bank account and credit card. Then, PayPal started to charge my Mastercard. Since my Mastercard didnt have enough money, it got declined. But when I went into Ebay, it said "payment successfully done," even though not a single penny got out from my bank. After that happend, I called PayPal to ask what happened, but all PayPal said was "Your purchase was done by Mastercard from the first place, not by Visa and Discover credit card." I was so confused, because the invoice literally said it was done by my Discover and Visa card. Anyways, I told ebay about this, and all they said was to talk with PayPal because in their system, I successfully paid them the money. The seller even got the money out from ebay. Few days later, PayPal tried another charge to my Mastercard, but it got declined again I just waited until I can request a return after the watch arrived, but unfortunately, I made a mistake and closed the return case. I asked eBay how to pay the money, but they said since I already made the payment successfully and the case is closed, they can't do anything for my purchase. PayPal also says that there has been no transaction at all between me and eBay except the declined Mastercard, and if eBay doesn't charge me, I have no problem at all for not paying the money. In my PayPal account, it says "Authorization in progress," and nothing else is happening. They are not recharging too. Long story short, eBay says I already paid the money even though not a single penny got out from my bank, and PayPal is telling me that there is nothing to worry for me because I don't have any negative balance and stuff going on. I am soooo confused right now what is happening. If I call PayPal they tell me to deal with ebay, and if I call ebay they tell me to call PayPal, both saying that there is nothing wrong with me in their systems, even thought I didn't lose any money. What should I do?

[Rob100uk]

Personally I would write a letter (and make copies keeping one for your own records and any future correspondence) explain the whole process from your side. Explain how you have tried to resolve the issue ,who you have spoke to etc and have tried everything you can to solve the issue and that this letter is your final attempt to fix matters. Send the letter to your bank , Mastercard, Ebay and PayPal offices and if they all ignore it then, well forget it really. The system is at fault by the looks of it and as long as you have the letter and have sent it to all concerned you have evidence right there to prove you did all you could, notified all parties by letter and it was left in their hands. It shows you were honest and not to blame and enjoy your purchase , you haven't done anything wrong as far as it sounds.

I hope this helps ease your mind, these systems are not perfect and it seems you have inadvertently found a system bug! Cover yourself by having a document to prove what you have done , I.e. the letter to all parties. I can't see what else ,really, you can do.

Good luck! 

P.s. Just to be on the safe side I would also put aside the money you would have paid for the watch, perhaps transfer the amount to the Mastercard if it won't be eaten away by interest payments, basically keep the money ready in case you get a demand from one of the parties involved at a later date, you don't want to spend it and suddenly have to come up with it again after all.