What can PayPal Buyer Protection do?

I would like to describe what I experienced when buying with PayPal as a means of payment.

At the beginning of November I bought a laptop with an internet connection problem on Ebay Classifieds, which was also listed as the only problem in the description.

Excerpt from the description: "The laptop can't find the internet. Everything else works perfectly. Selling the laptop to parse in parts or by someone who can fix the problem…".

Upon arrival, looking closely at the laptop, I noticed damage to the frame, which was caused by a faulty hinge, the screw that would have to hold the frame with the hinge was missing, and there were adhesive residues that can be traced back to an amateur repair attempt.

Then I wrote to the seller via Whatsapp and drew her attention to it. She said it was a blemish and you can see this in the photos in the ad.

However, the photos were only uploaded after the purchase and the ad was also deactivated, this can also be seen from the WhatsApp history.

She herself admits that a piece has broken off and refers to the pictures that were added later.

In addition, that does not agree with the description, where everything else except Wi-Fi should work perfectly.

Because of this damage, I would return the item, but the seller refuses to take it back, although this damage was known and was not communicated before the purchase, and I also assumed that everything else except the internet connection is OK.

Of course I opened a PayPal case after her cancellation, because the article differs from the description. It was closed after two days in favor of the seller. I objected to this and asked for the reason, the answer had to be that the saleswoman wrote "in parts". During the phone call I then asked the PayPal interlocutor whether it is okay that an item with several defects, of which only the slightest is mentioned and declared as "for spare parts" as an addition, is sufficient to exclude buyer protection.

Of course I didn't get an answer to that, but maybe the community can answer it here.

I was advised by PayPal that legal channels are open. I didn't let this matter sit on me, turned on my legal protection.

The lawyer noticed that there was no text for warranty or liability for material defects in the advertisement. You are therefore liable for material defects.

The first letter from a lawyer was unsuccessful. However, in the case of the second with the threat of legal action, the saleswoman sought advice from a lawyer and answered me today that she would take the laptop back and reimburse the purchase price and shipping costs.

To answer your question, which is only in the heading:

PayPal Buyer Protection can make decisions that have no legal force and that you can take civil law action against at any time.