Paypal...buyer protection fees didnt help me

Well, we're all on your side, all sounds reasonable to us. But paypal and/or person you purchased from not us. Your entire story could just be a story as far as they know. I'd be just like Carlsbad if someone waited 14 days to tell me something I sold suddenly wasn't working correctly. I'd assume  component was operating correctly upon receipt, something went wrong in those intervening days, operator error or ? Now, they may relate a story such as yours, hard to say if I'd believe or not, telephone conversation would help in this determination.

The thing is we don't know if seller knew beforehand or damage occurred in transit? Another good reason to develop personal dialogue with person doing transaction with, many won't conduct transaction without prior telephone conversation.

@missioncoonery , this is right on the Paypal site:

You also have the option of self filing in small claims. Usually just the threat is enough. You also have the ability to file a claim against Paypal itself.

This is the wording in their agreement,

Step 3: Respond to PayPal’s requests for documentation or other information, after you, the seller or PayPal escalates your dispute to a claim for reimbursement. PayPal may require you to provide receipts, third party evaluations, police reports or other documents that PayPal specifies. You must respond to these requests in a timely manner as requested in our correspondence with you.

As we are still working in an economy severely affected by the pandemic, what the court considers as a "timely matter" is likely to be much different from what Paypal tries to enforce on you. As they have not put explicit time limits in advance that I can tell, then you will have a case based solely on this.

They also define 3rd party evaluations. An authorized repair facility is a 3rd party w.r.t. you and the seller, but I think, again given the force majeur of a pandemic, that the court may also see insisting on specific 3rd parties and not someone simply skilled and qualified, as unjustifiably limiting. Again, as they have not defined that well in advance, it works to your favor in court.

As noted, there is still the credit card to fall back on if too late. This often comes down to being the squeaky wheel. At a start, I would still see if there is a kind repair technician or engineer somewhere near you who can take a basic measurement. This will help you with your credit card filing, and if you file small claims.

For all those complaining that you took too long to file, I will remind them that by the Paypal agreement you have 180 days.

He didn't take too long to file by the book, the delay only brings other possible issues into play.

I'd also continue to pursue a better outcome, a local tech would have been my first choice right from beginning. But then this wouldn't be priority item with already swamped tech, likely no luck here. I'd go back to manufacturer, perhaps their tech could say how damaged occurred, just don't think paypal will take buyers word over sellers word in this particular case. Sure seller claiming unit functioning correctly when shipped, makes shipper libel, good luck with that!

Personally I think it's all about money/ PP profit in this transaction.Their stock is  down what 30%. the last time I checked.If  this was a $100 .00 transaction there would not be any of this jumping through hoops.Who cares at 4 bucks fee...but I paid over 200.00 in buyer protection fees..Hard to give that back when your company is floundering. 

Unfortunately there is little or nothing you can do at this point except send it in and pay for the repair. I would contact the company first and explain what happened, they might just give you a break, a discount, even free, a good company should at least do something to help.

I have been on Ebay and PP since they started and out of tens of thousands of transactions only had 2 issues, both buyers, both lied, PP sided with them but at least both were around $500, not a bad track record considering many millions in transactions. BUT, after seeing the rise in fraud, everywhere, I now only accept F&F payments unless I know the other party or they have a well established track record. For purchases I only deal with those willing to talk to me on the phone or meet in person then also check their track record.

Lesson for us all, if having something delivered you need help with have them there when it arrives, open the package before even taking it inside if a difficult task, if at all damaged have the driver there when opened as well, take pics as you go. If OK, take in and test immediately. It only takes a few minutes using input cables to test the channels and to insure the issue is in the new device. Of course the speaker cable swap works as well so can be the first step then to verify and confirm do the input test.

Rick