Being strung along by a company - Paypal Mistake :(
Discussion
I recently made two big mistakes 
Mistake 1: I used a well known (ish) BMW / Porsche servicing / tuning company that once overcharged me for services (and refunded me after an objection), my mistake was dealing with this company for a second time. The owner is good at becoming friends on Facebook etc. and eventually saw a post I made asking for coilover recommendations for a car that I track - he jumped on it and sent me private message that his company had them with a one week lead time (in early June).
Mistake 2: I explored options over Facebook messenger and settled on a product and PAID THROUGH FRIENDS AND FAMILY (*SILLY BOY*).
It's now 2 months later and no coilovers have materialised for my over 2K payment. On Facebook messenger I am being outright lied to "they have shipped mate" - despite me not even having confirmed my address, followed a week later later by "Oh yeah the factory in Germany is still closed, so they should given me a shipping date this week - sorry about the confusion". This happens every week and whenever I start getting a bit annoyed I am told "I am emailing the supplier etc."
I have completely run out of patience now and the guy is blatantly lying - and becoming less and less responsive (I have been very polite and patient all along). I have just asked for refund but I also want to explore the worst case scenario.
What recourse do I have to get my money back as I paid him as friends and family? The messages show that he is aware he / his company owes me a product etc. Legally, what options would I have?
Mistake 1: I used a well known (ish) BMW / Porsche servicing / tuning company that once overcharged me for services (and refunded me after an objection), my mistake was dealing with this company for a second time. The owner is good at becoming friends on Facebook etc. and eventually saw a post I made asking for coilover recommendations for a car that I track - he jumped on it and sent me private message that his company had them with a one week lead time (in early June).
Mistake 2: I explored options over Facebook messenger and settled on a product and PAID THROUGH FRIENDS AND FAMILY (*SILLY BOY*).
It's now 2 months later and no coilovers have materialised for my over 2K payment. On Facebook messenger I am being outright lied to "they have shipped mate" - despite me not even having confirmed my address, followed a week later later by "Oh yeah the factory in Germany is still closed, so they should given me a shipping date this week - sorry about the confusion". This happens every week and whenever I start getting a bit annoyed I am told "I am emailing the supplier etc."
I have completely run out of patience now and the guy is blatantly lying - and becoming less and less responsive (I have been very polite and patient all along). I have just asked for refund but I also want to explore the worst case scenario.
What recourse do I have to get my money back as I paid him as friends and family? The messages show that he is aware he / his company owes me a product etc. Legally, what options would I have?
Friends and family payment will stop you reclaiming it through PayPal, but you are free to take separate action, eg. Moneyclaim Online, you'll need to use a letter before action etc. though. Screenshot all the messages ASAP though (use the Facebook Messenger full screen page thing though)
Gareth79 said:
Friends and family payment will stop you reclaiming it through PayPal, but you are free to take separate action, eg. Moneyclaim Online, you'll need to use a letter before action etc. though. Screenshot all the messages ASAP though (use the Facebook Messenger full screen page thing though)
Letter before action (you don't need a lawyer) with 7 days to respond.Then Moneyclaim online.
IANAL.
tigamilla said:
OK, thank you. It is slowly starting to take a stress toll and I have no trust left for this individual.
Will try once more on Monday then send a letter and use a small claims organisation if necessary.
Lesson learnt.
Some info here:Will try once more on Monday then send a letter and use a small claims organisation if necessary.
Lesson learnt.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/l...
I'd think a bullet-point dated summary of every contact from/to them would be useful in reminding them of what has happened, don't include anything other than the plain facts.
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