To want my money back?

[CrohnicallyEarly]

Long story short, I have been looking for a niche item for some time. I found one at a decent price on Facebook but the other end of the country to me. I asked seller if they would post, they agreed, I stupidly sent the money via PayPal F and F. Item didn’t turn up, and now they’re ignoring my messages (they are showing as seen on messenger)

The seller actually owns a business selling these items, but made the sale through their private Facebook page.

AIBU to want my money back? Or is it my own fault for using a payment method with no buyer protection? I’ve already reported the seller on Facebook, left a factual but bad review on the business page, is there any other way of alerting potential customers to an issue?

Chase it through PayPal they will get your money back for you OP

Sorry but if you paid as a friends and family payment on PayPal it is regarded as a gift and there is also no Buyer protection as no goods or services should have been exchanged.

If he was not a close mate or family member you should never use that option as it enables the seller to evade his paypal fees and negates your buyer protection at the same time. Scam sellers often ask for payment that way as they know this.

Not what you wanted to hear, I’m sorry.

Chase it through PayPal they will get your money back for you OP

Unfortunately this isn’t the case as the OP paid using the friends and family option. For buyer protection you must select the “goods and services” method of payment.

YANBU to want your money back but YWBU to pay F&F for anything like that because you're not covered.

Chase it through PayPal they will get your money back for you OP

Sadly this is not true because the OP sent it friends and family they wont get their money back. Sorry OP but there is very little chance of seeing thr money again, next time i recommend using the goods and services option so you recieved the protection of paypal.

Same thing happened to me with cutlery, i know I messed up with the PayPal thing but it really pisses me off that she’s sitting with a shop etc but that she never had the decency to email me back or anything

YANBU for wanting your money back.

I suspect you won't be seeing it again though.

Lesson learnt. Pay properly through paypal. If you want to use a marketplace then go for ebay or buy direct from another reputable business.

Oh sorry didn't realise that thanks for letting me know!

There may be a way of getting your money back. You've got the seller's identity on Facebook. You know the name of their business, presumably. You have their email address for PayPal. I would imagine you have their original messages via Facebook messenger? Go to the police if it's for a substantial amount. You might strike lucky and get somebody in their local force that actually cares about community relations and may want to help.
I'm not saying they will, but it has to be worth a shot.
Failing that, you could consider a small claims court claim. You've got enough evidence to back up that you've sent money and the arrangement you have already had in place.

Can you leave feedback?

I think that sometimes it’s worth taking a chance. I saw a Camera on EBay Market Place for a very good price. An older model. I reasoned that I could afford the loss. I looked upon it as a gambling. So paid by bank transfer.

The camera arrived this morning. As described.

I am very pleased I took the chance.

Post a one star review on their Facebook page, report them as a scam to Facebook, get their page shut down and limit their reach so they aren't as findable by people in the future.
Contact Paypal and tell them you mistakenly paid Friends and Family.
Report them to Trading Standards and be sure to tell them (and Paypal) that the seller told you to pay by Friends and Family. Also report them to HMRC because they're almost certainly avoiding tax from taking payments this way too.
Depending on the value of the item you can also take them to small claims if it was something really expensive because they didn't send the goods (as far as you know) and didn't post tracked/insured. Distance selling law means that it is the seller's responsibility to be sure the item arrives.

Thank you.

It’s not a substantial amount- barely more than the small claims court fee- so I guess he’s banking on me not pursuing it. I know I shouldn’t have paid F and F, but I got so excited having found the item and someone willing to post what was stated as collection only, I just agreed so as not to lose out!

As for trading standards, HMRC etc, will they be interested when it’s sold via a private profile? He could argue that it’s nothing to do with his business? @WhatTiggersDoBest

And there’s the fact that I still not have the item, which is something I need rather than want!

Buy through the shop and make a claim as never received to get second lot of money back.

Would normally be morally wrong but the end result of you have one item and pay for one item.

Or try to make a charge back it’s sometimes doable

It’s second hand, so he only had one of the item. The item is definitely not still available as I got a friend to try to buy it! I’m trying to do a chargeback, but because it was PayPal balance I paid with I don’t think it’s possible, PayPal won’t do it with it being f and f.

Can you put a public post on their FB page?

"Really looking forward to getting the item I paid for. It hasn't arrived yet, do you have a delivery estimate?"

Do the same for Google Review, and anywhere he is.