I specifically used PayPal to make my Banggood purchases because I’d read so many people on BLF assert that doing so provided consumers with “protection” in the case of defective merchandise. I don’t see what possible benefit there is to using PayPal on orders with Chinese merchants.
It was PayPal that insisted I return the flashlight to an address in China (an address PayPal provided) instead of mailing it to Banggood’s warehouse in California. PayPal told me to use any shipping method with a tracking number. I had no idea USPS First-Class and Priority Mail tracking numbers aren’t scanned inside China (and some other countries). The mail clerk at my local post office certainly didn’t mention it when I mailed the package and told him I needed a tracking number. I only discovered that fact when I tried to find out why USPS tracking didn’t show any new entries after the package reached China. When PayPal told me to use “any shipping method with a tracking number,” they should have stated “except for USPS.”
I didn’t know about the “risk” you mentioned. I’ve lost count of how many posts I’ve read by BLF members touting the benefits of PayPal “protection” when ordering from Banggood, Gearbest, etc. What “protection” is that exactly?
When I contacted Chase Bank, I was initially told, “Chase stands by its customers, not like PayPal.” Within a few weeks, Chase Customer Service refused to post a refund since, thanks to China Post not scanning packages, I can’t prove Banggood received the worthless MF01S I mailed them. I could have saved $23.50 by throwing my defective MF01S in the trash.
I can’t begin to describe the hours of aggravation I spent dealing with “Customer Service” at Banggood, PayPal (especially), and Chase Bank. Every time I contact PayPal, it takes two to four hours before I’m connected to the “specialists” who handle “guest checkout” disputes. I’ve repeatedly received emails from PayPal directing me to do things which are impossible in the case of “guest checkout” purchases. Then it’s another two to four hours of waiting and aggravation before a PayPal “specialist” tells me to disregard PayPal’s emails to me. Except for those which I shouldn’t disregard … as if there’s a way for me to know in advance which are which.
Perhaps you feel no “animosity” towards a seller who shipped a thoroughly defective product to a customer then refused to accept any responsibility, refused to return messages after the customer provided all the information they requested, provided 5 videos proving the product was defective, and asked for a refund then failed to post any negative product reviews about the product on its website. I’ll try to restrain my sympathy if a disreputable merchant fleeces you out of money.