how to fight a charge backs in the u.k

[Stigger]

Below is an excert from the ebay forums on how to protect yourselves if you trade in the UK

PROCESS!

If you believe Paypal have taken any actions that have had the effect of costing you money you may follow the procedure below. (Examples include, Refunds to Buyers for goods properly delivered in good faith (including those covered by COP, RD or SD irrespective of whether paypal acknowledge postage). Payments being reversed from your account without full details and reasons supplied. Or "OBFUSCATION". This is where any undue delay by Paypal in resolving any issue means that you are effectively COST money by Pay pal’s action of depriving you of your funds, your income and in effect increasing any consequential costs. Overdrafts, Bank fees or interest)


Keep all Email contacts between you and Paypal regarding the transaction(s). (This includes any Buyer Purchase mails, Paypal Payment Notifications, and dispatch notifications between you and customer)

Keep all "Proof of posting" This includes "Certificate of Postings" stamped by post office, Recorded deliveries, Special deliveries, Courier collection notes etc. Even Ebay FEEDBACK from the customer counts towards the balance of probabilities in a UK court of law when Proof of delivery is judged. Irrespective of Paypal policy on this matter. They have to abide by UK Law.

Keep dates, times and Contact details of all Phone conversations you have had between yourself and Paypal, This Means you MUST get FIRST AND SURNAME of the person you speak to. Don't be fobbed off with a first name.

After Paypal have reversed a transaction. Or have taken more than a week to finalise their investigation after notifying you of a pending reversal (this is where the balance is removed from your account but not completely reversed. meaning that they have the benefit of the funds and any short term interest they might earn on it. before they credit it to you or refund to seller) by doing this they may be depriving you of money due to you and increasing their income.
Which is against the law.
So call the following FSA help line on: 0845 606 1234
Website is: http://www.fsa.gov.uk/consumer/contact/index.html
Explain your issue with Paypal To the FSA. (They seem quite willing to listen). But will basically tell you to do this.

Write to the following name and address registered with and supplied by the uk fsa.
David Clark
Compliance Officer
Paypal (Europe) Ltd
Hopham House
1 Heron Square
Richmond
Surrey
TW9 1J
PHONE: (Also supplied by FSA) 0870 7307 191 (but don’t bother. you will need as much in black and white at this stage for later action as you can gather)

In your letter, be sure to mention that you are contacting them on the advice of the FSA and mention as much of the detail of your claim and reasons for dissatisfaction with their service in this instance.

(Also include a photocopy or scan of your proof of postage at this stage) (If it is a Royal Mail Proof of posting (whether or not delivery details are available “on-line” (putting exact delivery details on-line is a current breach of the DPA (Data Protection Act) which is why RM do not do it)) and Paypal have refunded to customer without asking for or acknowledging an independent Royal Mail investigation regarding the delivery, then they have failed “Due Diligence” on their part in their investigation of your delivery.
And on balance (whether goods were or WERE NOT delivered) are likely to be ruled against if the matter ever came to court.


PAYPAL will have 5 Days in which to acknowledge you mail and a further 8 weeks (that bit sucks. but will help immensely in any Financial Ombudsman Claim against them that you may make, if they exceed the time period)

If Paypal respond and give you back the money they deducted PLUS an amount you are happy with as compensation for your time and inconvenience to this point. Then let it drop.
But you will appreciate that disputing even a £5.00 reversal can effectively cost you hours of effort, phone calls and other costs.
So if you do not feel adequately compensated for all consequential damages, you can continue to claim under Obfuscation (the definition of this is any policy (including “corporate”) which appears to prejudice against you by creating layers of red tap or delay intentional or otherwise with the end aim of causing you to prematurely give up your claim.) Basically: If you have sold something.
Have reasonable proof of dispatch (and maybe also delivery) and Paypal have reversed without a full investigation by the Third Party delivery agent and have then delayed or ignored any recompense by 8 weeks. They are causing you financial harm through no fault of your own.


If the outcome of your letter sent is not in your favour and you still believe you have reasonable grounds for complaint, Then you should complain to the FINANCIAL OMBUDSMAN:
Website is: Financial Ombudsman Service
PHONE: 0845 080 1800


Just thought it would maybe help someone in there hour of need.