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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think I am being scammed?

30 replies

LittleRedSweetpie · 05/09/2018 15:36

Someone I know from groups and is a friend on Facebook is part of several MLM.

She recently joined a similar scheme for a high street shop. I love the products from there so decided to order a few bits. I’ve had things from her before and always paid via paypal with no problems.

She didn’t tell me which paypal to pay to, so I just paid to the one I’ve always used. I spent nearly £40.

Got a message this morning saying that she hadn’t received the money and couldn’t put the order through until she had.

I sent her a photo of my paypal account with the money having been sent. She says I must have sent it to the wrong account and need to pay again in order to get my goods.

I can’t afford to pay again or lose that money, and think it’s her fault for not checking I had the correct payment information. She’s saying I can’t have a refund or goods until I send the money to the correct account.

AIBU to think she’s trying to scam me out of an extra £40? And can I complain to the company she works for? If so how? Through the HQ for the high street store or will it be someone different?

OP posts:
AllyMcBeagle · 05/09/2018 15:38

I would ask PayPal to refund the payment.

www.paypal.com/ag/smarthelp/article/how-do-i-get-my-money-back-faq2045

Curtainshopping · 05/09/2018 15:46

Don’t know if she’s trying to scam you but it’s certainly not unreasonable to say you can’t pay again until you have the refund because you haven’t got it spare.

PlateOfBiscuits · 05/09/2018 15:57

Get a refund from PayPal.

Ask for her correct PayPal information and tell her you’re waiting for the refund to come through before you order.

jay55 · 05/09/2018 15:58

Why can’t she transfer the money to the right account?

Original poster
LittleRedSweetpie · 05/09/2018 16:00

jay55 I have no idea, she says it's not the right paypal and I need to pay again before she can order anything, no talk of transferring it to the right one.

OP posts:
Lavalamped · 05/09/2018 16:02

You'd think she could access her other PayPal account and transfer the payment to the new one? Could she owe money to that PayPal account so it's not letting her transfer back to you?

Leeds2 · 05/09/2018 16:05

As others have said, ask Paypal to refund you. I would then buy what I wanted from the high street shop, or online, and avoid buying through. your friend.

FishesThatFly · 05/09/2018 16:06

She said you've sent it to the wrong account. Does she have more then one PP account and did you have the details of them? Or is she saying you have sent it to someone elses account and she hasn't received it?

InspectorIkmen · 05/09/2018 16:06

So - the PayPal address you sent it to - have you compared that with the one she wants you to now send to?
Is the payment that you sent maybe sitting there 'unclaimed' as can happen if you send to a wrong or unknown address?

It's no good you just saying 'she says it's the wrong PayPal' etc etc - what are you doing to get your money back and/or prove her wrong?

Original poster
LittleRedSweetpie · 05/09/2018 16:11

I only had the details of the one paypal account which I've sent money to before when I've bought things off her but they were from previous MLMs she's been part of and not this company. the account comes up with her name on and have always sent it to that paypal. She never gave me any other paypal to send it to or even told me she had a new one for this company.

Trying to contact Paypal now to get a refund if I can.

OP posts:
Juells · 05/09/2018 16:12

She could have explained a bit better. I'd get my money back from Paypal and then not bother buying anything from her again. Or am I being a bit snotty?

Sandstormbrewing · 05/09/2018 16:16

Unless shes suddenly developed a drug or gambling habit I think it's more than likely that the error is yours or that she no longer uses that account.

Either way, it's easily rectified, just contact paypal and ask for the money to be refunded and then when it is, pay the other account.

DarlingNikita · 05/09/2018 16:19

Juells, I agree with you. Let PayPal sort it out.

diddl · 05/09/2018 16:21

" I'd get my money back from Paypal and then not bother buying anything from her again. Or am I being a bit snotty?"

No, you're not imo.

By not buying anything again-are you including this order?

RightYesButNo · 05/09/2018 16:21

@LittleRedSweetPie - I’m concerned maybe you’re being scammed in two different ways. First, there’s the fact that she seems desperate for the money. Otherwise, SHE would have said what we all did, which is that it was the wrong account so you just need to get your money refunded and then when it is, you can place your order again. The fact that she is trying to force you to “spend twice” doesn’t look good. Also, I hate to ask this, but are you POSITIVE the products you’re getting are really from this high street brand? Usually, high street brands and MLMs are very separate. I’d be concerned she’s buying knock-off products online and then selling them to you for ge cost of the high street brand. Maybe talk to someone on the anti-MLM thread about how you can tell if the products are legitimate. Good luck and hope the added stress resolves!

Kelsoooo · 05/09/2018 16:25

Hi @rightyesbutno I assumed Ann Summers, both highstreet and MLM

WrongKindOfFace · 05/09/2018 16:26

Don’t engage any further, just ask for a refund from PayPal. I definitely wouldn’t buy anything from her.

lola006 · 05/09/2018 16:30

I ageee that the double paying is odd, like she needs to hit a goal before doing the refund? Or hoping you’ll forget?

The Body Shop and Neal’s Yard both have mlm home things going for anyone interested in what other high street shops have mlm counterparts.

SparklyMagpie · 05/09/2018 16:36

Love how she says she can't do a refund until you've paid again 😂

Definitely sort with PayPal, an I agree with others, I wouldn't be buying

LeftRightCentre · 05/09/2018 16:38

I'd get my money back from Paypal and then not bother buying anything from her again. Or am I being a bit snotty?

Nope, you're not. I'd do the same. Get the money back and then cancel. 'Sorry, I've just had an unexpected expense come up and won't be able to complete this purchase any more.'

Cindersdonegood · 05/09/2018 16:47

I would also get the money back from PayPal and go buy direct from the high street.

She must have access to her old account. She could transfer the money from that PayPal to her supposed new PayPal. In fact, does PayPal even allow anyone to have multiple accounts? I thought they didn't due to possible fraud.

And I hope you buy everything via goods and services. As a MLM rep she shouldn't be receiving payment as "friends and family" or whatever it's called.

NotSuchASmugMarriedNow1 · 05/09/2018 16:49

Agree with the others. Get your money back from paypal and take your business elsewhere - she hasn't exactly been helpful.

DiagramAlly · 05/09/2018 16:50

Open a dispute through Paypal, it's easy, on the Paypal website. If she doesn't respond, or won't co-operate, then Paypal will refund you the money and take it up with her themselves.

Then obviously have nothing more to do with her

babysharksmummy · 05/09/2018 16:56

MLM in scamming shocker.
Get a PayPal refund, cut out the middle man and buy directly from the high street shop. Cheaper anyway.

RightYesButNo · 05/09/2018 17:07

@Kelsoooo Oh yes, definite possibility; my brain is so scattered at the moment - thanks! But even some Ann Summers’ things have (worse quality) knock-offs on Ali Express and Wish. I would definitely agree with other posters and get the money back and then just buy it from the high street. The encouragement to “pay twice” just points to bad news all around.