Paid someone via Paypal, he never did the work

[private_ryan]

it was a perl script I needed. What can I do if he doesn't do it? I already paid part of it and he's not answering messages. I will give it a few more days, but would like to know what is possible. Honestly, the notion of him stealing from me is worse than the money I stand to possibly loose.

[thebaghwan]

1. I would talk with paypal and see what their policy is. It may also depend

on how you paid through paypal. Like if it was through a credit card. If so they maybe able fto get your money back from you. Talk with the issuer of any credit card that may have been used.

[MUAD_DIB]

2. Where does the person live?

Any chance of charges of fraud for not doing work...money crossing interstate lines or interstste commerce?

[private_ryan]

6. he lives in the west coast

I live in the east. Doesn't it have to be $5k for that to kick in?

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

3. report him to PayPal

Log in to your account, click on Help and scroll down till you find the question, "What is the Buyer Complaint Process?" Click that and it will take you to the form to fill out. I think they have a limit of 30 days to report suspected fraud. They may direct you back to the merchant as the transaction hasn't been completed. But it's worth a shot. If your account is backed by a credit card, you can report him to your credit card company and maybe cancel/dispute the first payment. Good luck.

[gmoney]

4. maybe next time, try escrow

There are eBay-related escrow services where you put the money on account, the person provides the good (or service) and if it meets your satisfaction, you release the money. If not, then the escrow service arbitrates, I think. Costs extra, but might be worth it, depending how much you paid the guy for the scripting.

You might also ask around... probably an out of work or underemployed programmer in your own backyard who would love to do the work for you, and could be a good freelance resource or potential employee. Plus, you have much better control over your satisfaction with his work.

[private_ryan]

5. yeah I know

just he had done some work for me before and it's hard to find a Perl programmer where I live.

It was a credit card transaction. If I do a charge back, will Paypal penalize me? Will he get to keep the money?