15 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
15 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Paid someone via Paypal to make a video and haven't heard anything back. How do I get my money back?

by UK Wealth Wr
12 replies
So I paid someone $20 directly via Paypal to make a video for me and they said it'd be completed the same week. 3 weeks later I have heard nothing back from them, and I've emailed them a few times to ask what's going on and have had no replies.

I tried to open a Paypal dispute but apparently I didn't state the payment was for good or services when I sent the payment, therefore I cannot open a dispute and I must instead contact the seller directly.

I know it's only $20, but it's the principal that counts and I'm really angry about this. I'm thinking of sending them an angry email telling that if my video isn't delivered or my money isn't returned, that I will report them to the authorities for fraud.

I also know this person's Youtube and other social media accounts, as this is where I found them originally, so they cannot hide from me. I could easily destroy their reputation by posting bad comments about them on their social media accounts telling everyone what they've done.

So how do I resolve this? What are my legal rights?
#back #heard #make #money #paid #paypal #video
  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    Resolve it like an adult.

    If you hired someone through a freelance site you can give bad feedback there. If you hired someone you don't know and paid him $20 in advance...learn the lesson and don't do that again.

    Losing $20 is bad and I understand the anger. However, people don't always live up to our expectations. Are you going to waste $100 of YOUR time trying to get back at someone? You think following him around on social media might hurt his rep but it could hurt yours as well.

    What are my legal rights?
    Seriously? You are talking $20. Reality check here.
    Signature
    Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
    ***
    Dear April: I don't want any trouble from you.
    January was long, February was iffy, March was a freaking dumpster fire.
    So sit down, be quiet, and don't touch anything.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10055342].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author UK Wealth Wr
      Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

      Resolve it like an adult.

      If you hired someone through a freelance site you can give bad feedback there. If you hired someone you don't know and paid him $20 in advance...learn the lesson and don't do that again.

      Losing $20 is bad and I understand the anger. However, people don't always live up to our expectations. Are you going to waste $100 of YOUR time trying to get back at someone? You think following him around on social media might hurt his rep but it could hurt yours as well.

      Seriously? You are talking $20. Reality check here.
      Well true. But I'm pretty sure that stealing is stealing no matter what the amount of money. Even if someone stole $1 from me, that still counts as stealing in the eyes of the law. Yes I will learn my lesson from this. Next time I'll make sure that if I send someone money who I don't know, I'll mark it as a 'goods and services' transaction so that if they don't deliver then I can start a Paypal dispute.

      But do I have any rights in Paypal to get this money back and the seller penalized in any way?
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10055365].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Path Theory
        Originally Posted by UK Wealth Wr View Post

        Well true. But I'm pretty sure that stealing is stealing no matter what the amount of money. Even if someone stole $1 from me, that still counts as stealing in the eyes of the law. Yes I will learn my lesson from this. Next time I'll make sure that if I send someone money who I don't know, I'll mark it as a 'goods and services' transaction so that if they don't deliver then I can start a Paypal dispute.

        But do I have any rights in Paypal to get this money back and the seller penalized in any way?
        None. You sent the payment as a "gift" and broke PP's ToS in the process. You're lucky PayPal didn't ding your account for it. Many people do it on purpose to circumvent their 2.9% fee - It also leaves both parties with zero protection.
        Signature

        Dental Floss Tycoon

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10055372].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Christopher Fox
        Originally Posted by UK Wealth Wr View Post

        But do I have any rights in Paypal to get this money back and the seller penalized in any way?
        You answered that question in your first post:

        I tried to open a Paypal dispute but apparently I didn't state the payment was for good or services when I sent the payment, therefore I cannot open a dispute and I must instead contact the seller directly.

        Ya know, it is only my opinion, but I think an important part of Kay's post you are glossing over is this:

        Losing $20 is bad and I understand the anger. However, people don't always live up to our expectations. Are you going to waste $100 of YOUR time trying to get back at someone?

        How much time, frustration, and anger (negative energy) you going to expend over $20? Further, the FIRST person for you to blame lives in the mirror on your wall.

        You. YOU made TWO bad decisions. The first thinking a $20 video vendor is to be AUTOMATICALLY trusted, and the second being your PayPal faux pas, which is no doubt DIRECTLY related tou YOUR failure to fully understand PP's ToS when you clicked the button "Yes, I read your ToS and understand it".

        Instead of looking ways to exact revenge over $20, look in that mirror and realize that YOU could have PREVENTED this all.

        You are at fault too. If you go around looking for $20 video vendors, THIS is exactly the sorta thing you should EXPECT. Deal with that and move on. I don't think your righteousness is garnering any sympathy here.

        You are ready to send the military after a guy and to hold a tribunal over $20. Talk to guys that have been screwed out of $XX,XXX (and more) from product owners, ad networks, and aff networks, etc., for proper perspective ...
        Signature
        One man alone can be pretty dumb sometimes, but for real bona fide stupidity, there ain't nothing can beat teamwork.

        - Seldom Seen Smith
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10057023].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Michael Harris
      Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

      Are you going to waste $100 of YOUR time trying to get back at someone?
      It's never easy to swallow when this happens and this sort of thing comes with the territory.

      But you have a choice to write it off as a $20 loss or pursue it and your costs escalate.

      PayPal won't help you, neither will posting negative reviews.
      Signature
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10055380].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ContentPro22
    Hmm, maybe open a dispute? If you can't do that, then I'm not sure what your options are.

    I would definitely post some kind of warning either on the seller's profile or website warning other people about your experience. That way nobody else gets scammed.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10055415].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author pizzatherapy
    The best advice here is to just let it go.

    Posting negative reviews and comments may come back to haunt you.

    You learned a $20 lesson.

    Now here' $20 worth of advice. Learn to make your own videos and you will never have to rely on anyone else.

    There are tons of YouTube videos which will teach you to make a video for little or no cost.

    Search some of the threads right here about video creation and you can discover lots of great information.

    Also think about joining the High Voltage Video Forum right here...

    Lesson learned... you had a bad day...

    move on....
    Signature
    Help Support Pizza! Pizza T-Shirts for Pizza Lovers! : Find Pizza On Earth!
    I am a PowToon Ambassador
    Discover Simple Easy Video Creation Tool
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10055458].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author OmerFaruk
      Sad news. If you hire any person to use any freelancing site, then you give him bad feedback and report. But now its not possible.
      Signature

      Hostgator is the world best hosting company. If you want to buy hostgator 1 cent hosting Package? Use Hostgator 1 Cent Coupon to save Dollar.

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10056053].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Slade556
    I understand you must feel frustrated and mad at this person, but the reality is there is absolutely nothing you can do about it.
    You could send this person an email and, with polite words, tell them how you feel. It probably won't make this person feel guilty, but at least you will be getting something off your chest!
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10056219].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author spearce000
    Whilst it's commonplace to ask for a deposit when providing services like this (so they at least get something if you renege on your side of the bargain and decide not to pay) anyone who's legit will never ask you to just "send" money via PayPal. If they don't send you a buy-now link or a link to a shopping cart, and don't have a website that adversities their services, walk away.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10056990].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author batoulemohd
    Originally Posted by UK Wealth Wr View Post

    So I paid someone $20 directly via Paypal to make a video for me and they said it'd be completed the same week. 3 weeks later I have heard nothing back from them, and I've emailed them a few times to ask what's going on and have had no replies.

    I tried to open a Paypal dispute but apparently I didn't state the payment was for good or services when I sent the payment, therefore I cannot open a dispute and I must instead contact the seller directly.

    I know it's only $20, but it's the principal that counts and I'm really angry about this. I'm thinking of sending them an angry email telling that if my video isn't delivered or my money isn't returned, that I will report them to the authorities for fraud.

    I also know this person's Youtube and other social media accounts, as this is where I found them originally, so they cannot hide from me. I could easily destroy their reputation by posting bad comments about them on their social media accounts telling everyone what they've done.

    So how do I resolve this? What are my legal rights?
    Very bad thing. Every transaction has a security period. Unfortunately you delayed about 3 weeks. So the security period has been expired. Therefor, you can contact to the help desk of Paypal. They will inform you the exact update. You may get yout dispute link on your Email.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10057119].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author UK Wealth Wr
      Originally Posted by batoulemohd View Post

      Very bad thing. Every transaction has a security period. Unfortunately you delayed about 3 weeks. So the security period has been expired. Therefor, you can contact to the help desk of Paypal. They will inform you the exact update. You may get yout dispute link on your Email.
      Ok I'll contact the help desk of Paypal and see if they can sort this out.

      Oh and I sent the person a very strongly worded email saying that unless they deliver my video or return my $20 by tomorrow, I will report them to the authorities for fraud, report them to Paypal and have them shut down, AND destroy their reputation on all their social media accounts so that nobody ever does business with them again. I told them it's their choice. We'll see what happens...

      But you're right, it IS my fault for not doing things correctly, and it's not worth getting worked up over $20. But I wanted to send that email anyway.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10057130].message }}

Trending Topics