unpaid item case is open but item is paid for??? UPDATE! :o(

[HorsingAround]

So I have a rather strange and very annoying problem!  For the first time ever, I received a notice that an unpaid item case was opened for an item that I purchased in June.    I have perfect feedback and have NEVER not paid for an auction I won.  Anyway, I looked through all my purchases and it states clear as day that I paid on June 21, 2013!  I then logged into my paypal account and again, the transaction receipt confirms that I indeed did pay for this item on the 21st.

The seller I made the purchase from has zero feedback and an unconfirmed paypal address.  I don't think it matters but I just thought I would mention it.

But would ebay allow a seller to open a case against a buyer if payment was already made??  I don't think so.   So..... I'm really confused.  I would think that you would NOT have the option to open a case unless payment really hasn't been received. 

I've never been in this situation before so I'm not too sure how to handle it.  I did send the seller a message indicating that there must have been some misunderstanding as payment was made on June 21, 2013, and so on. 

Should I contact customer service?  All I know, is that there is NO way I'm going to let a seller leave me negative feedback for an item that I PAID for hours after winning!!!!

Any advice would be appreciated! 

UPDATE---------------------------------------------------------------

I am seriously seeing red at this point.

I know I have no choice but to call ebay.  I was just trying to avoid the hassle.    but I think I've clearly exhausted my efforts in trying to communicate with the seller.

I think I have been very patient with the seller in trying to resolve this issue.  It turns out that although I paid straight away, the seller never accepted payment (money was unclaimed).  Here is a play by play of what occurred.

Message #1: Jun-28-13

Dear figgytronks,
I see that you have opened an unpaid case against me. I think there may be a misunderstanding as I sent payment on Jun 21, 2013 here is the paypal receipt info:
and a cut and pasted the information.  (this was before I knew that payment was unclaimed)

No response from the seller... 

Message #2: Jun-28-13 

Dear figgytronks,
Are you sure you have your ebay account linked to your correct paypal address?  Your paypal address reads "unconfirmed" so perhaps payment went to the wrong account?   

No response from the seller... 

Message #3 - Jun-30-13

Dear figgytronks,
I haven't heard back from you regarding this issue.  I'm not sure what to do.  I can't even re-pay for the item as I get a message saying that I have already checked out and purchased this item. 

Please advise.

Thank you,

No response from the seller... 

Message #4 - This was to his/her e-mail July 3, 2013

Hi,

I have written you three times via ebay messaging system to try to resolve the issue of payment.  Since you haven't responded I thought I would e-mail you (I got your e-mail from paypal).  I will be calling ebay in efforts to resolve this situation on my side as I certainly do not feel as though I deserve negative feedback for an item that I did indeed send payment for on Jun 21, 2013.  it appears as though you have not accepted the payment on your end.   

I am sorry if this e-mail comes across as curt but I am quite frustrated with your lack of responsiveness.

Regards,

Leeann

Here is a copy of the receipt for the transaction: (I cut and pasted the info).

Guess what happened?!?!??!  No response from the seller... 

Message #5 - Today - My VERY LAST effort to communicate this this person. 
Dear figgytronks,
I think I have been more than patient with this situation.  Despite your lack of communication, I went ahead and cancelled the payment which you never accepted.  I issued a new payment via paypal which appears to be "processing" which means you will probably not accept this one either.

You opened a case against me despite the fact that I originally paid straight away!  And, you refuse to have any communication despite my efforts to help you resolve an issue on YOUR end...

I know I was getting a little snippy by message #5 but I am thoroughly frustrated!!!! 

[tulagirl]

I think there is a possibility that even though you paid, it didn't go to the correct account and the seller has not gotten it maybe?  Have you checked paypal to determine if the money was unclaimed?  An unconfirmed paypal account could suggest some issues here.

Post Merge: June 28, 2013, 10:26:44 AM

And yes they would allow it if the payment doesn't show as paid on the sellers account which could be a problem with their account link up with ebay and emails.

[FairyDust]

It's good that you messaged them.  Hopefully they are just confused.  I'd call ebay and let them know of the situation.  I hope it's just a confused first time seller and they'll figure out what was confusing them and it'll be an easy to work out.  Maybe they are confused with paypal and how to get their money from Paypal?

[tulagirl]

I think first check to see if the paypal payment is not claimed.  If its not in paypal listed as claimed then talk with the seller and explain when you paid but they have not claimed it which most likely means that their email has not been updated. If that is not the case then yes you will need to contact ebay.

Post Merge: June 28, 2013, 10:29:18 AM

Also you can send a copy of your payment to the seller by email as well.

[ponylady]

You should have no problem at all with this if you simply submit the same info you just gave us about the seller and paypal account as a reply to the unpaid item dispute.

You can also try this, since the payment remains unclaimed, cancel it. Then pay again and see if it closes the case.

Also do not worry about them leaving you a negative as ebay no longer allows sellers to leave negative for buyers.

[HawaiianRain]

Sounds like the seller's paypal is unregistered. It went through so to speak but it will come up in your ebay dash board as waiting for payment to clear. Let the seller know about it. Copy the paypal address and let them know what's going on.

[HorsingAround]

Thank you everyone for your advice!   I'm just waiting to hear back from the seller. I'll let you know how it all turns out!

[Vintergatan]

Another idea might be that you sent the payment to the wrong addy? Maybe they mistyped it?

Just a thought hope it turns out it was a simple misunderstanding.

[HorsingAround]

Well, I messaged the seller twice now and they simply are not responding nor have they closed the case.  I'm starting to think that the seller didn't get the price that they were looking for on the items they were selling and may be doing this in response? I'm a bit jaded when it comes to ebay so perhaps I'm too suspicious.   All I know is, that this person was selling multiple items and for some reason they still have NO feedback?  This whole thing is fishy... I'll give it a few more days and then I'll call ebay customer service. 

Ebay, Ebay, Ebay... oh how I have a love, hate relationship with you...  * HUGE SIGH* 

[ponylady]

I don't know if it will help but perhaps you could phone ebay.  They maybe better to tell you how to proceed or at least get that case canceled so you don't get an unpaid item strike?

[HorsingAround]

Thanks everyone for the feedback.  I updated my original post with new info.  well.... I should say "lack" of info.! 

[hathorcat]

I agree unfortunately at this point you really do need to call ebay. You have tried everything possible in order to communicate with the seller. Let us know what ebay say!