12 replies
Hi guys,

I've bought an ebook from a real sleaze that teaches a guide on how to upload nudes on a website to monetize with AdSense.

The sales page didn't tell me ANYTHING about this. It's a blind sales page for a digital product... imagine my surprise when I actually paid for it and got this piece of crap.

In a way, it breaks both PayPal ToS because it deals with nudity (the guide does contain examples) and AdSense ToS (indirectly, but the clicks are supposed to come from visits to these pictures)

I've asked the buyer directly for a refund. He refuses to do so and just puts me through hoops, he wants "proof" that this didn't work, to give it a shot before I put it down, to not give up so easily, etc..

I want nothing to do with this stuff and I told him I'd dispute it. He said that he'd be glad to follow up on that as he's sure that the odds are on his side.

From what I understand, it seems that PayPal sides with sellers when it comes to "digital goods"?

What are my chances of winning this dispute? Any tips on what should I do or say to them?
#nudity #paypal
  • Profile picture of the author Greedy
    I am sorry to hear that.

    I would defiantly a file a dispute, most sellers will refund out of fear of losing their account.

    Also from experience Pay Pal will side with the buyer a lot.

    I say go for it. Good luck!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6882648].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Josh Monroe
      I don't think hes breaking PayPal TOS as a lot of Adult sites use PayPal for their membership plans..But don't quote me on that.

      Also, Internet Marketing is probably one of only a few industries where refunds for digital products are the norm. Anything else you download digitally i.e. songs/movies from iTunes, subscription points etc refunds are not accepted, so if I were you (depending on the price, but I'm assuiming it's cheap) I would just take it as a loss and move on and hopefully learn from you mistakes in the future.

      Hate to say it, but I reckon PayPal will side with the seller anyway.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6882700].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Deji
      In the case of digital goods, Paypal does not offer seller or buyer protection. That said, in most situations, they do tend to side with the buyer. It could work both ways, you just have to be careful with your choice of words. If the seller says he sold an intangible/digital item, Paypal will probably let him off the hook. However, if you tell them that it is indeed an intangible product but contains nudity/obscene images (which is against the terms of service) and that this information was not disclosed in the sales copy (you could even say the copy was blind if indeed it was). Go a step further and tell Paypal that this translates to Item Not As Described. With this, I believe Paypal should side with you and give you a refund. All the best!
      Disclaimer: I am not an attorney!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6882723].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author MaryEJ
    Maybe if you took a copy of the sales page to PayPal so they could see how misleading the sale was...?

    I'd be hot as well if I bought a product based on a sales page and then got something completely different.

    I hope you get your money back.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6882728].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Dan Grossman
      Originally Posted by MaryEJ View Post

      Maybe if you took a copy of the sales page to PayPal so they could see how misleading the sale was...?
      That won't help. The Buyer Protection Policy does not apply to digital goods, so PayPal should not, by policy, refund you even if the sales page is misleading. They won't look at it.

      The "this content contained adult images and that wasn't disclosed" angle might work, though.
      Signature
      Improvely: Built to track, test and optimize your marketing.

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6882739].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Halcyon
    Paypal doesn't so much side with the seller but they just don't concern themselves with digital product disputes. There's no real dispute resolution. Buyer files dispute -> seller responds that it was a digital sale -> Paypal closes the dispute.

    However in this case, if there was a violation of Paypal's TOS you may have a case and I would pursue it. Paypal takes TOS violations very seriously and sales made in violation are often reversed.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6882731].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    Paypal will say that they can't do anything about digital product transactions, but if enough people file a complaint about them, Paypal will carry out swift action on this seller.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6882745].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Silvestru
    Thanks for the replies guys. I'll do this in the morning as I'm already burnt out.

    When I make the "undisclosed adult material" claim should I upload the guide somewhere and have PayPal sent a link so they can see with their own eyes?

    Or is the claim sufficient on it's own?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6882789].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author GarrieWilson
    That said, in most situations, they do tend to side with the buyer.
    Not for digital items.
    Signature
    Screw You, NameCheap!
    $1 Off NameSilo Domain Coupons:

    SAVEABUCKDOMAINS & DOLLARDOMAINSAVINGS
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6882953].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JoeyElmore
    I hate crap that people put out like this, unfortunately it's all over the place. You have to be extremely careful when buying something. You should always do some research to see if you can find some reviews and testimonials relating to the product.

    When I was much younger and first started exploring making money online I fell for a product because of the sales page as well. It had great copy, seemed very legitimate and peeked my curiosity. The price point was $45 which should have given me a clue... the product was a guide on how to get $45 deposits made to your bank account daily.

    To make a long story short, the product creator basically made a one page e-book that said, "This is how I did it.... You just paid me $45, and you're not the only one. While I'm out shopping and enjoying life, hundreds of people are depositing $45 into my bank account simply from creating one page on the internet."

    I was absolutely furious, but I knew nothing about anything back then. I sucked it up and learned from my mistake quickly... Well, maybe not so quickly... after a few more botched courses But hey, you live and learn brother.

    Don't let this get you down. Learn from it. As an old sales mentor always told me...
    --> SOB, slide over baby, what's next?

    Good luck to you.
    Signature

    "The grass isn't always greener on the other side. It's greener where you water it."

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6883007].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Anthony Carrera
    you will get your money back... chargebacks to my knowledge are mandatory.... if paypal gives you a problem tell them you want your money and you will contact your bank and get a chargeback i think paypal will give your money back but if they still dont go through with contacting your bank and geting a chargeback but the buyer will always be able to get his money back it is easier for all sellers to refund imediately it saves time and agrivation on both parts dealing with disputes
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6883033].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    Look ... what do you really expect when you buy from blind sales copy? Do you go into stores with blindfolds on to pick out things you need to purchase? Of course not, so why would you do it here?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6883092].message }}

Trending Topics