Interesting Things Learned from Necklace Gate
Following the necklace problems, I contacted Paypal and Etsy, mostly just to see what could be done. (To be honest, I expected nothing, but it never hurts to check.) Incidentally, I found this pretty handy re: how to arrange contracts in the future to maximize the chances of being able to recoup costs should I commission something that fails miserably (aka breaks in under 5 minutes of intended wear) in the future.
1. ALWAYS order through Etsy (or eBay or another established market). Always. Shady dealers may argue that it costs them money (and it does, but....such is the cost of doing business), but since Etsy will help deal with the dispute/refund money/etc. which makes it MUCH easier to recoup money if the deal goes poorly. (Also, hey, review system!) I'd also recommend using their communication system for details since, again, it's a record that the site has easy access to. (That assumedly would be hard to counterfeit.)
2. Send all Paypal stuff as "good and services" so, again, they can refund. (I believe the period is a scant 90 days, which isn't great, but is a lot better than nothing. Paypal can't refund for anything not marked this way, so...if you're paying for a good or service, mark it as such.
3. Even more interesting, Paypal won't refund for goods and services that are picked up in person. So even if the seller lives right next door, make them ship it. Does it suck? Yes. Is it necessary for your protection? Yes. (Interestingly enough, this waas the part that surprised me. It also makes the necklace seller look all the more shady for insisting that she needed the necklace picked up vs. packing it and putting it in the mail. Did she know this clause? I'm going to guess yes.)
4. Both Paypal and Etsy do keep notes about sellers who get complaints, so even if all fails, it's probably worth it to make note of the complaint with them to (mildly) reduce the risks of other people being cheated.
1. ALWAYS order through Etsy (or eBay or another established market). Always. Shady dealers may argue that it costs them money (and it does, but....such is the cost of doing business), but since Etsy will help deal with the dispute/refund money/etc. which makes it MUCH easier to recoup money if the deal goes poorly. (Also, hey, review system!) I'd also recommend using their communication system for details since, again, it's a record that the site has easy access to. (That assumedly would be hard to counterfeit.)
2. Send all Paypal stuff as "good and services" so, again, they can refund. (I believe the period is a scant 90 days, which isn't great, but is a lot better than nothing. Paypal can't refund for anything not marked this way, so...if you're paying for a good or service, mark it as such.
3. Even more interesting, Paypal won't refund for goods and services that are picked up in person. So even if the seller lives right next door, make them ship it. Does it suck? Yes. Is it necessary for your protection? Yes. (Interestingly enough, this waas the part that surprised me. It also makes the necklace seller look all the more shady for insisting that she needed the necklace picked up vs. packing it and putting it in the mail. Did she know this clause? I'm going to guess yes.)
4. Both Paypal and Etsy do keep notes about sellers who get complaints, so even if all fails, it's probably worth it to make note of the complaint with them to (mildly) reduce the risks of other people being cheated.