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Caution When Buying Large / Heavy Items and paying with PayPal

Heads-up to fellow Audiogon members

If you’re buying large or heavy gear — speakers, amps, racks, turntables, etc. — and paying with PayPal, make sure you understand how Buyer Protection works in practice.

If an item arrives damaged or significantly not as described and you open a claim, PayPal will typically require you to physically return the item at your expense in order to receive a refund.

For small items, that’s manageable.

For large or heavy gear, return shipping — domestic or international — can be extremely expensive, sometimes approaching the value of the item itself.

PayPal generally does not reimburse repair costs.
If you don’t return the item within the required timeframe, the case may be closed without refund — even if there is documented damage.

Before committing to a large purchase, calculate your real downside risk, including potential return shipping costs.

taviran
bobbyloans
99 posts
 

On a side note question… When someone ships to you,

do you  need signature required or that does not really matter ?

dr-hooves's avatar
dr-hooves
31 posts
 

I have had much experience with this, the two options are to refuse the item and leave it with the courier, taking photo's. If PayPal get gnarly then contact your credit card company. I pay for items with a suitable 180 day purchase protection card and with PayPal never use my current account.Either way if not suitable contact your credit card company who are there to protect your interests.

ibmjunkman's avatar
ibmjunkman
294 posts
 

I believe eBay (maybe PayPal) requires signature if amount is $500 or over. But based on what I see on the sub-Reddits for USPS, FedEx and UPS requiring a signature is no guarantee.

love2fly59's avatar
love2fly59
8 posts
 

@richardbrand I wonder why PayPal caused so many problems with international vendors. I live in Europe (Germany) and paid for many packages coming from countries Japan, USA, China, Israel and Turkey lately, PayPal always worked fine. Os your PayPal tied to a credit card or directly debited from a bank account.

Good luck, Martin

snapsc
722 posts
 

It doesn't really matter if the item being shipped is large or small...small items can be damaged through mistreatment and well as large items.  Packing should always be done as though the item will face a worst case scenario.

I think it is also critical to remember that shipping companies and their insurers often demand a LOT of information and documentation.  Photos and sometimes videos of the item being packed, the item actually working, all surfaces, etc.  Some even insist on new boxes, usually double boxing and often with 2" or more of specific cushioning between boxes.

If you read the fine print, it is daunting.  When there is shipping involved, there is usually risk and most of the risk goes to the buyer....and if you aren't willing to take the risk, even though the problem may not be your fault, then you should not get involved in transactions that involve shipping.

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