posted on January 18, 2001 07:59:42 PM
I recently won an auction and I was promptly sent an EOA notice, and directed to send payment to a hospice address! When I queried the seller about the address, I was informed that he is a patient, and the hospice is offering eBay “terminals” to the patients so that they can sell-off their earthly goods before they pass-on.
The item is quite rare and the price is over $1,500, but I am leery to send payment to a dying seller. When I expressed this concern in an e-mail, the seller became quite irate and told me that he is expected to live for at least another six months.
He also made it clear that he would neg me because he is counting on the money to buy something for his grandson. I figure he has nothing to loose by negging me.
I really want the item, but I am concerned that he might pass-away before I get my item. I also have a pristine feedback, and I really don’t want my first neg over this. Will eBay insurance protect me if he dies before he ships the item?
posted on January 18, 2001 08:03:41 PM
That kind of 'disclosure' worries me. I doubt that this fellow knows what is going on. Hospice usage is for those VERY near end of life.
Nurses are notorious for stealing from these poor folks.
But I would say you will get your item.
Say a prayer for the poor chap.
posted on January 18, 2001 08:24:27 PM
zeenza, as a nurse, I take great offence at your statement. Hospice work is mentally, physically, emotionally, and ethically very demanding, and we've learned much of our ways to manage pain in the hospital because of their insistence on the best pain management methods possible.
posted on January 18, 2001 09:28:43 PM
I am sorry you take offense to something that was offered as a matter of opinion as it relates to my life experiences.
I do not like it, but see it.
I have personally tried to stop
it,
but was told to look the other way.
It disgusts me.
I speak from my own experiences. Like ALL people in ALL fields, there are good and bad.
posted on January 18, 2001 09:37:05 PM
Sounds like Mel Brooks wrote this one. Give them the benefit of the doubt and arrange an escrow. Don't send $1500 to anyone, living or dead, without some sort of assurance that you'll get the item. That $1500 could buy you a week of heat this winter! Or a tank of gas this summer.
[ edited by Puddy on Jan 18, 2001 09:41 PM ]
[ edited by Puddy on Jan 18, 2001 09:52 PM ]
posted on January 18, 2001 10:02:57 PM
zeenza,
Nurses are notorious for stealing from these poor folks.
doesn't sound like your own life experience, IMHO. Sounds like a smear of an entire profession.
If you are seeing theft happen, report it to the police. Don't be an accomplice to it.
And how about the personal belongings inventory which is a legal requirement in every state and territory of which I know?
posted on January 19, 2001 03:59:58 AM
Yikes, the Hospice workers and nurses that I have seen were terrific. Steal from the patients? The ones I saw wept when the patients died. The nurses caring for my dad only knew him for 24 hours, and they still cried when he died.
Good and bad? Sure...my Great Aunt had her wedding ring stolen by someone working in the nursing home she was in. I could never believe it was one of the nurses. Most likely it was one of the always changing aides that worked there.
Did I dislike all aids because of this? Heck no...
posted on January 19, 2001 04:08:24 AM
If this thread is for real, I am appalled that you would send an email to a terminally ill person saying you were afraid they would die too quickly. That is the most offensive post I have read lately. You could have suggested escrow due to the price without ever mentioning the illness!
How dare anyone attack the wonderful nurses and volunteers who work with hospice patients. It takes a very special type of professional to work with people you know you are going to lose shortly.
Sometimes people should make sure their brain is firing on all fours before their fingers start typing. Just because we can't see the people we are posting about doesn't mean they are not there.
posted on January 19, 2001 05:33:18 AM
==========
posted by montecristo on October 23, 2000 08:34:43 AM in the “Buyer Beware of Seller Fraud” thread:
[i]You have no resourse, of course!
That is why it is never a good idea to buy anything on eBay without escrow.
Way too many thieves out there[/i]
=========
Apparently this is a long-standing fixation with montecristo. Something strikes me as very wrong about the entire premise here – shame on you for bringing this to the EO. I challenge you to invite the “seller” to prove to us that this is NOT simply a troll thread.
Hospice becomes involved when a person is declared terminally ill. It often indicates that life expectancy is less than six month – often a LOT less. When terminal patients are at home they are not fixated on “sell(ing)-off their earthly goods before they pass-on.”
And, contrary to what some may believe, the role of Hospice is not to attend to the patient on a daily/hourly basis. That honor falls to the family, friends or persons/agencies hired by the family. The role of Hospice is to manage the medications of the patient, make them as comfortable as possible, provide the equipment and supplies necessary, to prepare the patient and family for the inevitable, and to provide follow-up counseling.
I have the utmost regard for these dedicated, compassionate people. Many of them work on a volunteer basis and exhibit compassion and grace that are extraordinary.
As stated by the Hospice Foundation of America – What is Hospice?
Hospice is a special concept of care designed to provide comfort and support to patients and their families when a life-limiting illness no longer responds to cure-oriented treatments. Hospice care neither prolongs life nor hastens death. Hospice staff and volunteers offer a specialized knowledge of medical care, including pain management. The goal of hospice care is to improve the quality of a patient's last days by offering comfort and dignity. Hospice care is provided by a team-oriented group of specially trained professionals, volunteers and family members. Hospice addresses all symptoms of a disease, with a special emphasis on controlling a patient's pain and discomfort. Hospice deals with the emotional, social and spiritual impact of the disease on the patient and the patient's family and friends. Hospice offers a variety of bereavement and counseling services to families before and after a patient's death.
posted on January 21, 2001 01:37:06 AM
If this is a real situation, I can certainly understand the buyers dilemma. And, frankly, he is well within his right to question whether or not the seller will live to see that the transaction will be completed.
You have to admit, there is a chance that the seller might actually die - after all, he is in a hospice! I will even go as far as to say that the seller should have disclosed this fact in the auction itself as it is vital information in lieu of making a binding contract.
Notice: If this is a TROLL thread, it's funny as hell! Much thanks for a great laugh.
That crack about nurses is totally off base. I spent ten long months in a hospital, and the nurses were great(then again, I've had the fortune of being bathed by some real pretty nurses during my stint). Anyway, it's the nurses' aids you have to watch out for, lol.
