posted on July 25, 2001 09:08:54 PM new
All I see is paying an "authorized third party mediator" (read: company that has worked up a volume deal with eBay to likely receive a percentage of the mediation costs).
My mail was stolen in April, along with an auction payment. The court date for the juvenile thieves was supposed to be today, but the Prosecutors' office contacted me to tell me they failed to appear for the hearing and the court date was suspended to an unknown later date.
The auction payment was under $20, and when the police knocked on my door three weeks later and returned my mail, I immediately sent an email to the gal who was to receive it, but by then, she'd neg'd me. Once I described what happened, and sent payment anyway, she had already sold the item.
Anyway, we both agreed that the neg was not warranted. We both contacted ebay about removing it, and I even provided to the seller and ebay the court information (case number, jurisdiction, and name/number of Prosecutor).
Nope, no removal. So much for mutual agreement. Why would we have needed a mediator?
posted on July 26, 2001 11:09:08 AM new
It is purely and simply another type of feedback extortion. They give you back what is rightfully yours but only if they receive money.
I was contacted by Squaretrade about an auction. They don't give you any information unless you give them personal information which they have no business having. Then if you don't work with them they send a series of threatening emails.
In my case the bidder complained before he even acknowledged to me he was the winner of the auction. I had no idea what the complaint was about and still don't. It was similar to being charged with a criminal offense and arrested without being told what the offense was.
posted on July 26, 2001 11:17:34 AM new
SquareTradeMae:
What exactly are the qualifications of these mediators. What college did they graduate from. What courses did they take. What qualifications did they have to be hired by your organization.
My guess is that you hired them, gave them a three to five day course, printed a certificate and they became mediators.
posted on July 26, 2001 11:33:27 AM new
> My guess is that you hired them,
> gave them a three to five day course,
> printed a certificate and they became
> mediators.
You give the mediators too much credit. Its more likely an afternoon session on "communication". The two I dealt were unresponsive and ineffective. http://techgems.net
posted on July 27, 2001 10:21:52 AM new
Hello Getalife!
"It was similar to being charged with a criminal offense and arrested without being told what the offense was. "
SquareTrade is not a court proceeding. We do not judge, we do not assign punishments, and we do not catch theives.
"In my case the bidder complained before he even acknowledged to me he was the winner of the auction. I had no idea what the complaint was about and still don't."
SquareTrade is a voluntary service and only works when BOTH parties WANT to resolve an issue. Many times one party wishes to discuss the situation in a secure place where the information sent between both parties can not be tampered with. (Therefore SquareTrade requests personal information so that no other person may get into your case page.)
posted on July 27, 2001 10:23:18 AM new
Hello Getalife!
SquareTrade's worldwide mediation network is composed of more than 250 professional mediators. These professionals have formal training as mediators, arbitrators and lawyers. In addition to being professionals in the offline world, they have been extensively trained in online dispute resolution through SquareTrade's network.
For more information about our mediators, please click here:
http://www.squaretrade.com/cnt/jsp/med/mediators.jsp
posted on July 27, 2001 12:47:07 PM new
We had one where the buyer hit the neg button by mistake. Reads VERY positive. (Buyer was slightly drunk when he did it????)
In any event, the buyer (who is the one who left the neg) tryed to get eBay to change it, and of course they wouldn't, but suggested SquareTrade to him. Sounded like a good idea to him right up to the point where they wanted the $15.00.
If he (an we) could tell SquareTrade it was a mistake, pay $15 and get it removed, why can't he (and we) tell eBay the same thing????
It's not about "Professional Mediators", it's about money. A case like this needs NO mediation. There is and was NO problem, just a simple mistake. Just what the heck would you "mediate"???? And if there is nothing to mediate, just why in the world do you need to pay a "professional mediator"?
No, it's simply about the $15.
Who Need's a stink'n Sig. File?
posted on July 27, 2001 01:23:28 PM new
Hi SquareTradeMae:
If SquareTrade was voluntary they would wait for me to contact them and not send threatening emails.
The following was in an email I received from SquareTrade.
"SquareTrade maintains a list of non-respondents that may be made public.
It is important to respond to this case or contact [email protected]
so that your email address will not be considered for placement on this list."
posted on July 27, 2001 01:31:29 PM newIt is important to respond to this case or contact [email protected] so that your email address will not be considered or placement on this list."
This is how the BBB works. If your not a member, and someone calls asking about you, they get told "We can't recommend that company". Doesn't sound good at all, and the general public doesn't understand why, so most businesses join the local BBB. It's extortion, but it's legal extortion.
Who Need's a stink'n Sig. File?
[ edited by Microbes on Jul 27, 2001 01:32 PM ]
