rent20
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posted on August 15, 2002 10:57:21 PM
This deadbeat has got to be the ultimate jerk. After winning her $25 item, I received several emails which are as follows:
10 days from auction close:
I apologize for the delay in sending payment as my mother passed away suddenly last week from congestive heart failure & I have just returned to Florida from her funeral in Boston. I will be mailing you a postal money order for $31.99 Monday morning. Thank you for your patience.
7 days later:
I hope you received my earlier E-Mail as to my Mother's sudden passing & why my payment was late in being sent. Right after I sent you my last E-Mail, my 83-year old Dad was rushed to the hospital for emergency bypass surgery. While there, he suffered a
heart attack. Needless to say, it's been a nightmare: Losing one parent suddenly &
now possibly facing the loss of a second - all within the same month. I've had to take time off work again in order to fly back up to Boston from Florida. Unfortunately, it's been Leave Without Pay. I'm writing to ask you if you can possibly allow me a little extra time to send my payment. I don't want to lose this & would be able to pay for it within the next two weeks. If you go to EBAY & check my feedback, you'll see that all my
transactions have been extremely positive. I've always sent payment promptly & don't want to risk tarnishing my good record.
Could you please E-Mail me back at your earliest convenience & let me know your decision? I'll have to travel back up to Boston the end of this week, but I'll check my E-Mail daily. Thank you, in advance, for any consideration you can give my request.
Please keep my Dad & family in your prayers.
In response I sent her a simple letter explaining I would have to file for my refund from Ebay no later than 45 days from the auction close. No comments on her family issues were made.
5 days later I received this:
I mailed you a personal check for $31.99 yesterday morning, 8/6/02. Am looking forward to receiving my item. Thanks again for allowing me extra time. I really appreciate it.
Somehow I knew there was more to follow: Sure enough 6 days later:
Thanks again so much for your kindness and patience during this E-BAY transaction.
If I could ask you just one last favor:
Please hold my check for deposit until this Thursday, 8/15. I've just discovered that my compassionate leave pay from when I
attended my dad's funeral up north did not get deposited into my bank account for the correct amount. The mistake has been corrected & the funds will definitely be there by this Thursday, 8/15.
On 8/12 I received her check in the mail. As per her request I did not deposit it and intended to deposit it on 8/16. Yesterday on 8/15 I received the following mail. This mail was not from the person that ordered the item and had been feeding me these excuses. The mail was from "her sister" as apparently my buyer had been killed by a drunk driver. The "sisters" email follows:
My sister, Jeannie, was struck & killed by a drunk driver late tuesday night. she had left her email messages up on the screen. please cancel any shipment or order she had placed with you. i don't know what i'm
doing, still in a state of shock, but this seemed an ok place to start. please keep her in your prayers. thank you.
The check I received was written on a bank in Florida (Suntrust) which also has branches in my local area (Wash DC). I called the bank and the funds are in the account, so I plan to be thee at 9am to cash the check. Even though the amount is small ($31.99) I highly resent this line of garbage excuses. She must think I am a idiot.
After I cash the check, I will send the item to her, and to be on the safe side I will insure it with USPS. Reason being if she denies receiving it, then she can play her little games with the postal inspectors. I will then send her a simple email saying the check was cashed and the item sent via USPS insured. No comments will be made on the terrible losses of life this family has apparently suffered. I am tempted to write that if they return the item to me along with a copy of the death certificate or funeral home notice from the local paper, then I will refund her purchase price.
I am sure some of the experts here will have some good advice on the wording of a letter I should send. It sort of puzzles me why she even sent a check, but I guess she thinks that will make her look sincere. She must think I am very stupid. And remember everyone, this could happen to any of you.
By the way her feedback is a +8 with no negatives and one neutral.
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tomwiii
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posted on August 15, 2002 11:06:36 PM
I'd be concerned about her...
HAUNTING YOU FROM THE GRAVE!
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alwaysbroke
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posted on August 15, 2002 11:36:39 PM
"My sister, Jeannie, was struck & killed by a drunk driver .... please keep her in your prayers."
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it too late to pray?
I'll have to give this some thought. I'm just sitting here shaking my head.
http://www.sparedollar.com/sdGallery/usergallery.asp?uID=2261
http://www.sparedollar.com?ref=2261
lurking is not an option
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sanmar
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posted on August 15, 2002 11:44:28 PM
My God, I can't stop the tears. I am afraid I will die from laughter. The next thing is that her house burned down, or was hit by a tornado, etc. The stories are getting more pathetic every day. I'm just too cynical. I guess when you get over 70 you have seen too much of this crap.
[ edited by sanmar on Aug 15, 2002 11:46 PM ]
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alwaysbroke
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posted on August 15, 2002 11:49:11 PM
OK. This is only my opinion.
I like the way you have not mentioned her "family" in your prior e-mails. I think that after you successfully cash the check, and ship the item, send your normal e-mail just as if nothing unusual has happened:
"thank you for your payment, your check just cleared and item #xxx sent via Priority/Insured on 08/20/02." etc....
Keep mentioning only the business end like you have been. It's sort of like a prank phone call, there is no fun in it if the other party doesn't respond.
In my opinion, you've been very calm and handled it well.
http://www.sparedollar.com/sdGallery/usergallery.asp?uID=2261
http://www.sparedollar.com?ref=2261
lurking is not an option
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alwaysbroke
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posted on August 16, 2002 12:04:33 AM
If she's dead, she can't neg you.
http://www.sparedollar.com/sdGallery/usergallery.asp?uID=2261
http://www.sparedollar.com?ref=2261
lurking is not an option
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sparkz
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posted on August 16, 2002 12:24:10 AM
I wish I could offer some sound advice to you, but I can't quit laughing long enough to collect my thoughts. I think Auctionwatch should offer a trophy for the most original and preposterous deadbeat story each month. This one would be a sure winner.
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
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godfatherstoys
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posted on August 16, 2002 05:31:41 AM
I have zero compassion for deadbeats or dieingbeats as it were. I lost both my parents last year witnin 9 days of each other, made all arrangements etc. and never missed a shipment or payment.
Cash the check and send the item. She can still neg you though! Her sister can a reading from John Edwards and that neg will come from the grave....."ooooh scary kids!"
Count Floyd SCTV
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sn0bbish
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posted on August 16, 2002 05:56:24 AM
do as alwaysboke said. just keep to the business end of things.
if she does get pissy and neg you just add a comment to her feedback comment to you stating you were informed she was dead or some such matter. having lost most of my immediate family in the past 6 or so years. i find it vulgar that someone would use death as an excuse for anything. specially when it did not occur.
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nharmon
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posted on August 16, 2002 06:53:01 AM
wow- that is a wild story
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kahml
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posted on August 16, 2002 07:10:44 AM
So let me get this straight.
A person bids $25 on an item and most of her immediate family is "wiped out" within a month.
rent20 - just what the heck are you selling?
vbg 
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robertsmithson
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posted on August 16, 2002 07:18:06 AM
Why not cash the check and keep the item? There have been many posts here about checks taking weeks to really clear.
You earned the $32 payment in this case.
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mlecher
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posted on August 16, 2002 07:56:14 AM
rent20...
Maybe you should get out of the business of selling stolen egyptian artifacts and voodoo relics. You are killing off your customer base, there is no future in it......
Is rent20 your eBay ID, I think I should stay clear of your auctions......
.
Reality is a serious condition brought on by a lack of alcohol in the system
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kiara
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posted on August 16, 2002 08:34:00 AM
Did you check to see if she continued to bid after she lost her parents and after she died?
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computerboy
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posted on August 16, 2002 08:45:57 AM
Man, and I thought I was having a bad month...
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figmente
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posted on August 16, 2002 09:51:22 AM
That's awful. Three deaths on one sale. This item is hopelessly jinxed. Destroy the check, burn the item, and hope you never see another like it. Did your auction happen to end on Friday the 13th?
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itcomputes
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posted on August 16, 2002 09:51:46 AM
Spend an extra $1.80 at the post office and get signature confirmation. See who signs for it.
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gc2
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posted on August 16, 2002 09:54:50 AM
"Did you check to see if she continued to bid after she lost her parents and after she died?"
....most especially after she died!
I keep expecting the FTC or Surgeon General or some-such to begin requiring eBay sellers to carry a disclaimer on their auctions:
"Warning: Bidding on this auction can be dangerous to your or your family's health!"
[ edited by gc2 on Aug 16, 2002 09:57 AM ]
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trai
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posted on August 16, 2002 10:11:28 AM
Thank you, thank you for a great laugh, you made my day! LOL
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LuckyGiftsandTreasures
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posted on August 16, 2002 10:15:18 AM
I am waiting to see if anymore of the family dies off.
I have had a check bounce on me and the excuse was my mother died and I had to go to her state.
I had to send her my usual bounce check/ Non payment letter the county I live in does not like people who bounce checks for goods. Her letter is below
I'm sorry that the check bounced. It's been about three weeks or so that I
have not even checked my e-mails, I had a devastating loss in my family and
have had other things on my mind. I wish no ill feeling for such a small
amount, I want to mail you out a money order; however, please let me have
your address again. Please respond as soon as possible. Again, I am humbly
sorry... Wilma
Happy ending is:
I got The MO with Bank Fees paid.
and I know her bank stuck it to her in NSF fees.
Trusting I am not I have had 5 kids to help raise and I have heard it all as I am retired Military.
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dacreson
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posted on August 16, 2002 10:24:50 AM
Long ago when I was a supervisor in the real world I posted a 12x12 sign. MY Wife….1
My Husband….2 My Dog….3 My Car…4 My Kid…..5 The Rain….6 House fire…7
Etc etc there 22 of them. When someone came in and needed a lame excuse for sick leave or emergency annual leave I told them just use the Number on the form would save writing.. It sure reduced my popularity and absentees.
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mypostingid
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posted on August 16, 2002 11:31:41 AM
Turning my email on, because I just have to find out how this ends. Please, rent20, let us know what happens after you cash the check and mail the item. This is too funny for words!!
The feedback exchange alone will be a riot. The sister will have to call in that guy who talks to dead people to find out what feedback the buyer wants to leave for you. Too, too funny.
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rent20
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posted on August 16, 2002 12:31:55 PM
Well I went to Suntrust bank this morning and asked to directly cash the check versus putting into my account for collection. The teller took a few minutes to log onto the screen for the Florida Suntrust accounts. When she did she said she didn't think she could cash the check as there was a float in the account whatever that means. She suggested I see a manager.
The mananger looked up the account and said it seemed okay as the funds were there, so the check was cashed. I then went directly to the Post Office and sent the item priority mail with confirmation and Postal insurance.
At this point I don't intend to write her again, I am sure she will realize more excuses are futile after she sees the check has been cashed and item delivered. If the "sister" does have the gall to ask me for a refund I will agree. Naturally she will have to pay postage to send the item back to me. Good soul that I am I will offer to send flowers to her sisters funeral, so she will have to give me the name of the funeral home. Stay tuned boys and girls.
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uaru
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posted on August 16, 2002 12:48:35 PM
From an entertainment factor you seemed to have lucked out. I'm jealous of your experience.
Funny stuff.
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computerboy
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posted on August 16, 2002 12:49:32 PM
I'd send flowers, too, but my florist just died.
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mypostingid
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posted on August 16, 2002 12:58:27 PM
Rent20, remember: any refund would have to be made payable to the executor of the buyer's ESTATE. Ask the sister for a death certificate and the contact info for the probate attorney. That'll fix'em.
(I still can't stop laughing about this. How am I supposed to get any work done?)
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alwaysbroke
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posted on August 16, 2002 04:01:13 PM
I nearly lost my Dad to cancer this year, and I find her story offensive. I can't help but wonder if this is some 18 yr old kid who thinks it a big joke.
I'm not sure I would put a letter in the box. It would only acknowledge the prank and give them a big laugh. Something they could show all their friends.
On the very, very off chance the story is true, the family can contact you and work things out. I think I would leave the burden on them.
http://www.sparedollar.com/sdGallery/usergallery.asp?uID=2261
http://www.sparedollar.com?ref=2261
lurking is not an option
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kiddo2
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posted on August 16, 2002 05:51:02 PM
I am ashamed of ALL of you...Unless you can disclaim her story, it VERY possibly could be true! Stranger than fiction are the truths of life.. PLUS, you got your money so what would have been the point?? Her letters were polite and when the "sister" wrote, there was no mention of NOT cashing the check..Where is your compassion? I have worked ebay for nearly 5 years and have had my share of lame excuses but UNLESS you can PROVE otherwise, I would think you would react with a little more tact. I hope you are secure in your Karma because, yes, oh cynic one, bad things do happen to people and often multible bad things in a short period of time..ya'll make me sick!
You never mentioned if you checked her bidding history..that would have been a first before slandering and assuming it was a hoax. Naysay if you say you did now...it is too late to believe YOU because you would have mentioned it to back your story in the first place..The fact that you were paid and you got the cash in hand makes YOU look like the jerk to me...a deadbeat bidder does NOT pay..
kiddo2
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JACKSWEBB
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posted on August 16, 2002 05:52:10 PM
CAN'T WAIT.............
I WRITE WHIF A KRAYON, I AM ALMOST 5.
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opmom911
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posted on August 16, 2002 06:06:54 PM
maybe, just to make sure that this was not a hoax, put in the feedback how sorry you are for her losses... goes both ways.. shows next sellers that she has a loss so she does not "lose" them again in the next auction. But also shows you feel bad for her..
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