It may seem strange that a big online business like Groupon would scam an ordinary guy like me, but the following events are all true. Last May 29, 2012, I ordered a Memory Foam Pillow from BeEconomic.Com.Ph which is the Philippine arm of Groupon. Check the screenshot of the email they sent:
While waiting for the item to be delivered, I made another order. This time it’s the Air-O-Dry Indoor Convection Clothes Dryers on Jun 26, 2012. See the screenshot:
Making that second order would prove to be another mistake, adding further to my loss. The delivery of the first order is supposed to be July 2, 2012, as assured by the email from their support. Take a look at the screenshot below:
But as of July 9, I still haven’t received the first item. I emailed them about it, but they didn’t even bother to reply. I sent them another email on July 11, but with no immediate response, I filed a dispute with PayPal for non-delivery of the item, that same day.
While PayPal is investigating the dispute, Groupon emailed on July 23 stating that they had already dispatched the item by the courier. Check their email below:
Again, the email is just another assurance that will never materialize because I didn’t receive my items, up to this day of posting. It’s already 2013!
You might think that’s the worst thing that happened, but here’s the kicker.
On July 29, PayPal finished their investigation and this is their reply: “Unfortunately, we are denying your claim because your purchase was for a virtual, digital, or intangible item, which is not covered under PayPal Purchase Protection. We only cover claims involving physical items that can be shipped and tracked.”
How in the world did a pillow become a “virtual, digital, or intangible item” and not a “physical item that can be shipped and tracked”? Somebody explain! I’ve been using PayPal for years, but this reply sure tops the world’s list of the most idiotic PayPal resolutions, ever. Confirm it with the screenshot of PayPal’s email:
As a result of this scam, I deleted my account at BeEconomic.Com.Ph and vowed never to purchase online again. However, the entry of Shopee made me break that promise. It offers cash on delivery, this way I don’t get scammed since I’ll be receiving the item before I pay.
Wise is a cheaper alternative to PayPal and the exchange rate is real-time. It also supports fund transfers to e-wallets like Maya and GCash.
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