24/7 techies and Paypal, Internet

I used 24/7 techies to try to solve a computer problem. Checking their address, it showed Las Vegas, but they are actually in Sri Lanka. I paid the $149.95 with Paypal thinking I would be covered if something didn't work out.

  A 24/7 tech remotely entered my computer around 11:00am and started poking around for the problem. 12 hours later, and four different techs, they were no closer to a solution. Spent another 4 hours the next day with yet another tech and still no joy. At this point I said enough and asked for a refund, and was told he would check with his supervisor, and I would receive a call within 3 days

  No calls after 3 days. Tried calling them, either a recording or no answer. Tried email, no reply. Opened a dispute with Paypal. Then I receive a call from them saying if I drop the dispute, they will send a refund. After reading online about similar cases, where the dispute was dropped and there was still no refund, I told them if they send the refund, I'll drop the dispute. I was told they don't work that way.

I escalated the Paypal dispute to a claim, and sent them all the pertinent information. After a week Paypal replies that the claim has been denied because my purchase was for a virtual, digital or intangible item. Only after digging deep into the Paypal website, did I find this mentioned under SELLERS protection. Paypal should have notified me of this before the dispute was escalated to a claim.

I ended up taking the computer in to a local shop and they asked who was in there, because it was a mess. If you are thinking about using 24/7 techies, beware, especially with Paypal. A credit card company might afford more protection.