FYI you can easily use Paypal and use a credit card as a funding source and still contest the charges and they WILL get reversed on the merchant. SO don't think Paypal is "safer" than just a card. We pay for EVERYTHING on credit cards, had to many instances of stolen info using a debit card, plus we get a fair amount of cash back using our "system". Just makes economic sense for us as we usually get back thousands of dollars a year this way. Having said that if I am dealing with a reputable dealer I have no issues writing a check or getting a money order, but anyone else whom I do not know it is going to be a CC or I will go elsewhere, unfortunately these days those protections are needed, as in this case.


Sorry to hear about your issues. Hopefully you can get some sort of resolution. IMO anytime you have to pay up front it is a crap shoot at best. Doing it through the mail and not in person makes it even more so. Just look at the Shadydell posts.....