I have been fighting with a seller and Paypal for days trying to get a refund for apparent bait and switch fraud by the seller. Ordered qty 2 electronic branch trimmers (the bait), seller sent qty 2 of cheap manual clippers (the switch). Tried direct with vendor, who would not acknowledge that they sent the wrong items and simply offered minimal refund (they crept up to $13 on an $80 order over several emails) because "I was unhappy with my purchase". Asked for return address and got one written out completely in Chinese, which I neither read not write. After several email exchanges didn't get a useful return address, filed a complaint with Paypal resolution center. Their step 1 is to reach out to the vendor. Eventual reply was I could get a refund from Paypal on receipt of tracking info showing I had returned the crap items I didn't order. They at least supplied a return address in Hong Kong. I checked shipping lowest cost via UPS to get tracking and the cost to return the unordered items was almost as much as the cost of the items (items cost $79.96, return of junk cost $76.06). Paypal doesn't care that this is apparent bait and switch. The vendor could have sent me a brick in a box and if I didn't return the brick, at my cost, they wouldn't provide a refund. A Paypal agent confirmed on a phone call today that because the vendor sent "something", it had to be returned. Paypal says they have return reimbursement. It is limited to $30 and has other conditions that don't guaranty any refund of the shipping. I'm considering legal action, maybe even be able to mount a class-action if there are a lot of people getting ripped off like this. Buyers should not be on the hook to pay return shipping charges if the seller makes a "mistake". Paypal seems to think me being out $46 (assuming Paypal would cover the first $30 of the $76.) is within the terms and conditions of the service. I would agree if it were a case of the buyer making a mistake. If a seller doesn't supply the items ordered, the seller should correct their mistake, including return postage for the incorrect items). If they are unwilling to correct their mistake at their expense, Paypal should refund the buyer, as the seller did not fulfill the order as placed and transacted via Paypal. Paypal advertises themselves as a safe method to shop to be protected against fraudulent activity. That's not my experience at all. Anyone else run into this type of bait and switch activity and feel like they are getting ripped off by both the seller and Paypal? If you haven't and are under the impression Paypal will protect you in a situation like this, think again. I'd be interested to hear from others who feel cheated. I also won't be surprised if this post even survives being posted. I'm probably going to file formal complaints with my state attorney general, the federal consumer protection agency or trade commission and/or the US postmaster, as the items came via the US postal service.
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