Ebay Problem

[AKIron]

I've used it many times, never had any trouble. Guess there are always exceptions.

[Ripsnort]

Originally posted by Creamo

The short story is I got a game free with my new video card, and since I already had it, put it on Ebay. Like always, it sold top dollar(fools), and I got an email with a guys name, address, and phone number. We exchanged email replys and he said he'd send payment right away. Well, he didn't.

After a week I got an email saying he was sorry and it was going out that day. I was going to the post office so I replied that was cool and just sent it. And before you all chime it how stupid that was, sending a peice of software I didn't really pay for ahead of time knowing I'd not have to take 30 minutes out of my day sometime later to go back to the post office just wasn't worth it to me.

Who was the fool again?

[hyena426]

Guy hit "Buy it Now" and never paid. I left him Neg feedback then he claimed I ripped him off (Doesnt that require sending money?). I'm weary of eBay. I wish someone else would clean their clock and step in.

 ya i dont buy or sell to anyone with bad feed back,,they need to have a 99% for me to even think about it and atleast 50 sales<~~but i like buying from power sellers mostly,,there too afraid to mess up there record,,lol,,i havent got ripped yet,,but i know some freinds who have

[SOB]

Yeah, Ebay are ********s, but that's because they can be.  I've had the retaliatory negative feedback bit.  Purchased my Pioneer Premier CD Receiver from a place in Florida.  Received it OK, but the feed mechanism was pooched upon arrival.  Tried to contact the email address, but just got an auto-responder.  Left three messages in a week with no reply.  Finally left negative feedback, and they responded in kind.  I gave up trying to contact Ebay about it after 10 emails were simply ignored by them.  Fortunately, they were an authorized dlr for Pioneer, so I was able to get it warrantied by Pioneer...unfortunately, it meant two trips to Portland to the nearest authorized repair center.

I love Paypal and have never had a problem with it.  I also ship anything I sell by Priority Mail with delivery confirmation.

[qts]

I only use Paypal to pay to people I trust. If buying on ebay - something I've yet to do, though I've considered it - I'd only buy from someone reasonably local and drive round.

[Crapgame]

Creamo,

As it happens, I happen to be investigating a major case of internet fraud right now. My case has on the order of 10,000 victims all across the country most of whom were taken for quite small amounts and did not want to report it because they figured the police wouldn't care. To a degree they were right but I gave a damn because I was tired of seeing this ******* who was unidentified continually getting away with his bogus auctions. I finally managed to get some detectives in Ill. interested and thanks to them, we got some Postal Inspectors on board to take the case federally. I needed this help because the local DA was monumentally uninterested in issuing a walk through arrest warrant on a fraud case. Despite the fact that I had finally tracked one of the crooks down to a hotel in Florida, knew where he was and had an informant providing me information.

In any event, I digress, that story would easily begin another thread and I almost posted it here at one point seeking suggestions from this very knowledgeable group because I was so frustrated at the lack of interest I was getting from other agencies. I finally did get the help and the investigation is ongoing with two arrests so far. What I am trying to tell you is, please make a police report. Maybe nothing will happen but maybe something will. You can initiate the report process here:
http://www1.ifccfbi.gov/index.asp

The IFCC will begin a basic investigation and then refer it to the agency they believe handles jurisdiction. Alternatively you can go to your local law enforcement agency and make the report. Hope all this helps.

[LePaul]

Originally posted by SOB

I love Paypal and have never had a problem with it.  I also ship anything I sell by Priority Mail with delivery confirmation. [/B]

Smart, I found it more cost effective to use UPS.  You have to pay extra for USPS tracking, delivery confirmation etc.

[SOB]

With a few exceptions, it's always been cheaper for Priority Mail than UPS for me...even with the delivery confirmation.  I don't have access to a business acct with UPS though, so the rates I get are from a UPS Customer Counter at a distribution center.  Also, USPS will give you free boxes and shipping tape for Priority Mail.

[Creamo]

Thanks Crapgame. Interesting, I sent a letter and a IFCC printout finally. That was cool.

 I just called the number, got his Mom. She said he just got the letter and would pay immediately.

He pry won't, but that was some good firepower. She seemed extra pissed!

[Bodhi]

Had a problem about 2 years ago with a purchase, sent the money $290.00 via USMail.... and never got the item... well, I had been smart and paid for the confirmed delivery.  Anyways, the kid who was selling, kept saying that he had sent and had delivery confirmation.  I finally got the bogus tracking number and went to the USPS and they said it was bogus.... well pissed now, I called his home, got his Dad, and had a nice chat, well, still nothing.  I gave up for like two months.  Coincidentally I was in line at the Post OFfice, and happened to talk to the clerk about it, he gave me a form to report "mail fraud"  Well I filled it all out, attached copies of the email he quoted as a USPS number.  About two more months went by, heard nothing.  Then one day in my mail box is a federal subopena to appear in court in Seattle Washington... they were charging the bastard!!!!  Anyways, I met with two feds twice, gave a deposition to the prosecutor and the lil fediddleers attorney, and they pleaded down.  I got my money back, plus some, and he got a record!

So it pays to be persistent.

Goodluck Creamo

[SOB]

OK, now that is just damned funny.

[DoctorYO]

Bodhi has the right idea..  Go legal eagle..  Which means start building a case...  Show proof of shipment..

show proof of his intent to pay...

show proof that you have not received payment...

contact local law enforcement..  bring a recorder if they give you the run around..  (ive seen the laziness first hand.. "oh ebay we cant help you.."  call them on BS and write a letter to police chief and cc it to the mayor if neccessary)

you need a police report when you deal with ebays fraud claims department..

CC your police report to the perps local DA office and local police to expedite the matter... (build the case for them make it idiot proof and show it has merit)

include phone records and whatever written communication...

People dont understand that they are commiting felony by going across state lines when they committ their fraud on ebay, and those laws have some teeth..

The idiot in bodhi's case really messed up when they gave the false tracking number which the post office takes such activities very seriously. (think thats a seperate law "Mail Fraud")  

Thats why I like USPS over other services like UPS /Fedex.. (did you know that ups's poilcy is to allow neighbors to sign for your stuff, I didn't know that one till it happened.  I raised hell until UPS (the offender signed for my stuff and sat on it for 2 days until I saw on the website that my items were delivered and signed for..) pointed out to me thats their policy. I was like what kind of policy is that..  With USPS there is less BS and more teeth if there is any wrong doing..

Ebay's a great marketplace but there are some bad apples, really dot your I's and cross your T's when dealing with anyone, is my advice...



DoctorYO

[mosgood]

Maybe you could scare the money out of the little creep.  Spell out mail fraud to him in a nice letter.  You could address the letter to "The Parents of ......"

This might get his or the parents attention.