# Does Paypal protect buyers? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 15, 2006, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-paypal-protect-buyers/344654 "2006-02-15T17:31:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DarrenS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@DarrenS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DarrenS)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2006, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-paypal-protect-buyers/344654/1 "2006-02-15T17:31:52Z")
As a tangent from [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=358615) thread, I was wondering what kind of buyer protection Paypal offers for purchases _not made through eBay_. On the Paypal site all the info about buyer protection seems to pertain to eBay. How about (for example) if I use Paypal to buy something from someone off Craig’s list, or some other online site, or even a newspaper - and the seller doesn’t deliver? Would it be simpler to just dispute the charge with the credit card company? (assuming my Paypal account uses a credit card for funds.) ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2006, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-paypal-protect-buyers/344654/2 "2006-02-15T17:36:39Z")
Dude, you probably shouldn’t buy the freaking Xbox if you’re that worried. ---
**Author:** ![DarrenS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@DarrenS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DarrenS)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2006, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-paypal-protect-buyers/344654/3 "2006-02-15T17:52:50Z")
Thanks for that useful response, **Guinastasia** :rolleyes: Anyone have a GQ answer? ---
**Author:** ![iwakura43](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de0a6/32.png) [@iwakura43](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iwakura43)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2006, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-paypal-protect-buyers/344654/4 "2006-02-15T21:40:14Z")
I always use my credit card to fund my Paypal account, on the premise that I can order a chargeback if something goes wrong. I’ve heard of numerous others who do this, though I’ve never seen an actual report of a Paypal chargeback being performed. What are they going to do to you, though, pull money out of your checking account to make up for the charged-back amount? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![FlyingCowOfDoom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyingcowofdoom/32/21776_2.png) [@FlyingCowOfDoom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyingCowOfDoom)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2006, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-paypal-protect-buyers/344654/5 "2006-02-15T21:54:40Z")
When a buyer initiates a chargeback, PayPal places a temporary hold on your PayPal account. Essentially, this subtracts the amount from your current PayPal balance. I assume that after a certain period of time, they will pull the money from your checking account, but it’s not immediate. However, you can’t send money while you have a negative balance, so it’s inconvenient. –FCOD ---
**Author:** ![DarrenS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@DarrenS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DarrenS)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2006, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-paypal-protect-buyers/344654/6 "2006-02-16T00:14:59Z")
That sounds about right. According to their website, > [@PayPal](#): > > When you pay with PayPal, you gain access to a forum for dispute resolution called the Resolution Center. Through it, you can file a claim against: > > ``` > * A physical good that you paid for but never received. > > * A physical good you purchased on eBay that is significantly different than what was described in the listing. > > ``` > > Dispute Resolution specialists gather information about your transaction and help you resolve the issue. Throughout the process, you’ll be advised of your claim’s status via email and on your Account Overview page. Their [buyer complaint policy](https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/gen/ua/policy_buyer_complaint-outside) says this: > [@PayPal](#): > > # General. PayPal’s Buyer Complaint Policy provides a method for buyers to issue formal complaints regarding goods paid for through PayPal but never received, and regarding goods purchased on eBay and paid for through PayPal that the buyer receives but that are significantly not as described by the seller. The availability of this system as a back-up to direct communication between the buyer and the seller, and as a way to encourage such communication, helps maintain a safe trading community. > > # Eligibility. Buyer complaints must be filed within 45 days of the payment. Even if the buyer’s claim is justified, the buyer will receive a recovery only if there are funds in the seller’s account. RECOVERY OF YOUR CLAIM IS NOT GUARANTEED. When I first read this I thought it applied only to eBay purchases, but apparently not.