Amy
TUG Member
I won a timeshare auction that allows me to pay via check, Paypal or credit card directly via faxed written authorization. Supposedly a third party closing company is handling the escrow, but since the Paypal and cc authorization payment goes is directed to seller (as opposed to the closing company) and I know the seller is affiliated with the closing company, I'm not treating the closing company as an independent party. (I'm not really concerned about the closing co issue per se as this seller is a long time timeshare seller on eBay with 100% positive feedback and several TUGgers over the years have had good experiences.)
That said, I can't help but want to select the best method of payment "just in case" an issue arises. (The purchase price is a few thousand dollars.) My gut says to go with the faxed authorization since the credit card gives me 60 days after billing date of charge to dispute a charge. But Paypal allows me to keep my credit card number hidden; however, it requires disputes be filed within 45 days of payment. Am I overthinking this or does one method of payment in fact offer a bit better protection than the other when making a purchase in this situation?
That said, I can't help but want to select the best method of payment "just in case" an issue arises. (The purchase price is a few thousand dollars.) My gut says to go with the faxed authorization since the credit card gives me 60 days after billing date of charge to dispute a charge. But Paypal allows me to keep my credit card number hidden; however, it requires disputes be filed within 45 days of payment. Am I overthinking this or does one method of payment in fact offer a bit better protection than the other when making a purchase in this situation?