a paypal warning

[emraphoto]

So, i 'purchased' Nik Softwares Silver Efex pro, the latest version, last week.

This was through a Paypal checkout option via my credit card (which has been billed and shows on my statement). after a few days i realized i had no product or info from Nik Software.

I called paypal, who's interface i used for the transaction and they identified the transaction and said i would have to call Nik software.

So i called them. they explained to me that payment was never received, they would cancel any request for payment AND notify Paypal immediately via a phone call.

The following week, this week, I called my bank to ask if they had received any notification or info regarding a return of the funds... No. Funds have been withdrawn and no notification.

So, I call Paypal and speak to someone repeating lines from a book about how it's not Paypal's concern. I ask for a manager and when transferred, June (the manager) proceeds to tell me it is not a Paypal transaction and they have no responsibility nor will they help me. I ask him again if this is his position as it says right on the web interface for Nik software payment, PAYPAL express payment. We cannot help you. Call Nik Software, who had told me to call Paypal.

Attached is a photo of the payment option with Paypal written on it.

So, I am out $208 (paypal fee of course) and nobody will take responsibility for this. Not Paypal or Nik Software. I am having my bank work on it to see if they can do anything right now.

BEWARE WHO YOU SUPPORT. There are WAY to many companies who will take your money and show no concern for you if something goes wrong.

This is just a heads up folks.

 

[kdemas]

Nik is dropping the ball on this. I ran the eConmerce for a large software company and accepted Paypal in additional to regular credit cards. They should be pursuing this of for no other reason than to keep a potential customer happy.

You might point out to them that if your payment never arrived, others may not have either. They might be interested if they know they might have an open drain on the web sales.

Anyway, that really sucks.

 

[Roger Hicks]

This is why I always use credit cards from reputable banks (insofar as such things exist any more). Credit card companies HATE this sort of thing.

Cheers,

R.

 

[ChrisP]

You should be able to talk to your credit card company. Most credit cards come with warranty against fraudulent sales or goods that arrive broke etc. Give them a call and they should tear someone a new one for you

 

[rbelyell]

first i'm really sorry for you, that is just awful, and it provides an important reminder to all of us, so thank you.

this is totally nik's responsibility as the link is on their website. you can sue them in your local small claims court. you can also speak to their top customer service person and inform them you will plaster the web with warnings about theor web page: facebook, twitter, forums, blog pages, google etc.

paypal should be concerned, but they cannot control whats on other websites. however, this is not a fly by night site, so paypal SHOULD be concerned and they DO have an interest in insuring paypal links are correct once they are informed those links are not valid or worse criminal. perhaps they have a security team you can talk to?
tony

 

[emraphoto]

When PayPal's name is plastered across the payment interface, I would expect them to be concerned. Nope. Zero responsibility.

I am about to call Nik Software again and ask for official statements as per their policy as I would like to write about this scenario.

Credit card company has launched an investigation. Payment went through already so they have to now iverstigate... Up to 3 months.

They have commercials everyday, online transactions are safe and secure. Trust us.

Well, this fella won't.

 

[kxl]

As long as you have supporting evidence (which you appear to have), the credit card company will overturn the charge. I've expereinced a similar incident where a hotel refused to honor their own cancellation/refund policy. I had all the paper trail to support my case. The credit card company reversed the charges and there was nothing the hotel could do about it.

 

[daveleo]

This is serious stuff, and I hope you keep this thread up to date on what happens.

 

[hipsterdufus]

In the meantime, just torrent the software. Boom, you now have what you paid for. Regardless of how many members here feel about piracy (vehemently disagree), folks have to remember that piracy sometimes has to do with getting a product on the consumer's terms. Whether it's poorly-conceived DRM or a company acting in a ridiculous manner (as in your case), this is a circumstance where I think most people would agree that torrenting the software is justified.

 

[emraphoto]

I am honestly not overly concerned about my bank getting my money back. I'm due time they will.

What is important here is that two companies (one VERY LARGE one) can act so irresponsibly with a consumers money. Neither company is taking any responsibility for it and the PAYPAL rep (and I suspect he will regret it) has gone so far as telling me, when asked repeatedly, that it is NOT a PayPal transaction and this they have zero responsibility. Both times I explained to him that I have photographs of the PAYPAL interface for payment on the NIK SOFTWARE site.

These corporations seem oblivious to the global groundswell of negative sentiment towards this type of behaviour. It's incredible really. The masses will be burning down the big office tower doors before they clue in.

I have notified official sounding folks in both offices that they have until Monday to sort out a solution before I file a theft charge with the local police and begin submitting articles to the press (who I also work for).

 

[emraphoto]

In the meantime, just torrent the software. Boom, you now have what you paid for. Regardless of how many members here feel about piracy (vehemently disagree), folks have to remember that piracy sometimes has to do with getting a product on the consumer's terms. Whether it's poorly-conceived DRM or a company acting in a ridiculous manner (as in your case), this is a circumstance where I think most people would agree that torrenting the software is justified.

Exactly. The folks at the top of these predatory chains are dinasours and when we are spreading them on toast they still won't get it.

 

[ampguy]

Did you get a confirmation email from paypal regarding the transaction, and in your paypal acct. log, do you have a transaction code that you can (or did) give NIK to check on?

 

[raid]

This sucketh greatly.
I would ask the credit card company to reverse payment after the deadline passes.
Good Luck.

 

[user237428934]

I called paypal, who's interface i used for the transaction and they identified the transaction and said i would have to call Nik software.

After you completed the payment in the paypal website you came back to the Nik-website? Was there any form of order confirmation on Niks website?
That would be the normal behavior when a webshop and a third party payment processor work together.

Why use paypal for credit card transactions when you can make direct credit card payment in their shop?

 

[user237428934]

In the meantime, just torrent the software. Boom, you now have what you paid for. Regardless of how many members here feel about piracy (vehemently disagree), folks have to remember that piracy sometimes has to do with getting a product on the consumer's terms. Whether it's poorly-conceived DRM or a company acting in a ridiculous manner (as in your case), this is a circumstance where I think most people would agree that torrenting the software is justified.

Yes. Great Idea. But what paypal software should he download? (Assuming, paypal is the one to blame).

 

[jsrockit]

Something seems off here... like we are missing key pieces of information about the situation.

How can you pay for something via paypal yet paypal is saying they have nothing to do with it? What did I miss?

 

[jsrockit]

Yes. Great Idea. But what paypal software should he download? (Assuming, paypal is the one to blame).

I think he meant Nik software.

 

[user237428934]

I think he meant Nik software.

Of course he did. But I don't like this attitude.

 

[hipsterdufus]

Of course he did. But I don't like this attitude.

You're free to your opinion. I'm just saying that playing by the rules shafted the OP in this situation. Time to find workarounds. It's a matter of practicality and expediency. If you feel like playing by the rules all of the time, you can enjoy getting crapped on by dodgy companies every now and then.

 

[user237428934]

I'm just saying that playing by the rules shafted the OP in this situation.

Of course it sucks to be in such a situation. But the TO is right in the process of getting his money back. Nothing is lost so far. Using the personal little power (like working for a newspaper) is sometimes the right key to a solution.