Any expert PayPal users out there?

[ScrabbleScribbles]

A couple of times when buying items on Facebook market place, I've made a payment to a seller and the transaction has been cancelled because according to PayPal, the account didn't exist or hadn't been activated. Each time, I've used the address the seller provided and they were expecting the payment, but seemed totally unaware that it hadn't gone through until I informed them myself.

Can any expert PayPal users explain why this might happen? Is it just people being a bit dopey, or can there be glitches in the system? And if the seller did try to access their account to check for the money, would they be made aware of the problem and be able to rectify it?

Sorry, not the most exciting topic, but I'm a bit baffled by this!

Are they telling you to put it through friends and family and you are putting it through as a business transaction but they don’t have a business PayPal account?

I used to be a business seller. I've had it when they haven't activated their account with paypal. From memory you have to prove who you are as part of the activation or if the seller has given you an email address that isn't the one linked to their paypal it will also generate the same error.

Thanks for the replies. The seller was pretty dishonest regarding the condition of the item, so I'm trying to decide how far I need to pursue this - is it more the equivalent of a cheque being lost in the post or of her forgetting to cash it?

Did you end up paying cash because the paypal didnt go through because that tied with the item not being as described sounds more scammy. I'm not sure how you can pursue if you did pay cash though. I'd raise a paypal case if the funds cleared eventually via paypal and the seller was dishonest about the condition

What do you want to pursue, how did you pay for the item in the end?

I get a paypal email receipt every time someone pays me.
If seller are totally unaware whether they were paid, then they probably don't ever pay attention to emails or ever login to their paypal account (I guess there must be an app?)

Why they would hand something to you without checking the payment status is their problem.

It sounds like money never left your paypal account, OP?

It's a long story, but basically the item was described as like new and actually had bad wear and tear. It was still usable though, do as I needed it quite urgently I asked for a partial refund rather than send it back. She refused, so I ended up agreeing to pay the full price. And now it turns out that the payment never went through anyway. So I don't want to be actively dishonest, but I'm not inclined to do her any favours either.

Maybe I should have posted in ethical dilemmas

I guess my question is, is it up to me to let her know this has happened, or should she have figured it out for herself ???

Just pay for the payment properly with PayPal and then open a PayPal not as described case - you’ll end up with your money back in the end, you just have to jump through their process to sort it properly

Legally the seller can chase you for 6 years to recover the debt you owe them regarding the payment for this item. I’m not saying they would take you to court, but they could have a case. I would just make it clear in future correspondence that you did send the money to the email address the seller provided and the money left your account, so you followed the seller’s instructions and they clearly made an error. They can send you an invoice, but they also still need to deal with the complaint regarding the item’s quality.

Actually did you specifically say you’re happy to pay full price for the item with the wear and tear? This may impact any not as described case.

I don't think you're under moral duty to tell her the payment didn't arrive, OP. Wait and see if she asks & then offer her half since you have evidently used the product but it wasn't as described, anyway.