posted on August 19, 2002 09:36:24 AM new
July 6, 2002, I was 1 of 116 person who bid on a Dutch auction of Eric's on Ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2035027393&rd=1
We have not gotten our hoses or a refund from this auction 6 weeks ago.
It was just brought to my attention that Ebay suspended Eric June 19 and allowed this auction to go on which ended July 6, 2002.
estone75! Wednesday, Jun 19, 2002 User Suspended not a registered user
How can Ebay allow suspended sellers to continue auctions?
Is this Ebay's way of telling us "What ever makes a buck is OK with us?
We have a group of 78 of the bidders and we are sticking together and giving Eric Stone his chance of 15 minutes of fame. Probably won't ever see a flat hose or a refund from Eric but we will make sure he remembers this auction with AWESOME bidders.
Who do I email or call to ask Ebay how this can be done?
Thank you for all your help and suggestions.
[ edited by sandraj on Aug 19, 2002 10:03 AM ]
[ edited by sandraj on Aug 19, 2002 02:29 PM ]
posted on August 19, 2002 09:49:46 AM new
User ID History for estone75!
User ID History Effective Date End Date
estone75 Saturday, Jan 15, 2000 Wednesday, Jun 19, 2002
estone75! Wednesday, Jun 19, 2002 User Suspended not a registered user
The effective date of the new username was June 19, not the NARU date. There is no NARU date.
Did you know it was against AW rules to post a full name of anyone? I know it's almost in his user I.D. but not quite.
Good luck in your quest for justice. You certainly have a case.
posted on August 19, 2002 10:11:59 AM new
Thanks B. I deleated the last name.
This means that he wasn't suspended June 19th, but changed his bid name?
Just got off the phone with a newsperson that wants to do the story but needs a bidder from the Salt Lake area. We have a Bidder and trying to contact her now.
posted on August 19, 2002 11:28:26 AM new
The user changed their name on that date.
You are getting the press involved in this fraudulent deal? That kind of press none of us needs and it only serves to keep new people from trying out auctions. I hope you will think twice before giving online trading another black eye. Why not just use the traditional methods for fighting fraud?
posted on August 19, 2002 11:58:06 AM new
Bestattic, we would love to hear your suggestions for:
Why not just use the traditional methods for fighting fraud?
Ebay and Paypal both told most members in the group they can't help us.
We know we have a good case with 78 bidders sticking together.
Without using the press to expose fraud, how does it stop?
Right now it just looks like a good side job to make some quick money without having to worry about getting caught.
I have written for help here before and let the group know of any suggestions.
We all pretty much know we are out the money but want to stop this type of fraud.
By gosh, I WAS bidding off Ebay daily and have now slowed way down to only bidding from seller I know I can trust.
Thanks for your help and we will consider helpful suggestions.
http://www.auctionwatch.com/mesg/read.html?num=2&thread=473686
http://www.auctionwatch.com/mesg/read.html?num=2&thread=474338
http://www.auctionwatch.com/mesg/read.html?num=2&thread=475051
Exposing fraud committed by large companies may be an admirable goal, but to expose fraud by one individual that has been banned from the site only serves to hurt the entire community of millions.
Keep in mind that 99.9% of Ebay sellers are respectable and responsible.
You might also determine how much time and effort you want to spend on exposing this person that cannot sell on Ebay any longer. That was step one in your quest and you did expose him to get him NARU'd.
By no means should you let the matter drop and let this person get away with theft. If each one of you fills out the forms at the URL's above and notifies the local police department in his area, I'm sure you may also see results.
posted on August 19, 2002 01:17:38 PM new
Thanks B. We filled in to both IFCC and the post office July 27th. I know because that is when we ALL got the letter from Ms. Layton from the US employee using HOTMAIL (on a Sat. night). So far no one has heard a word from either claim.
We also have a cop in the group checking out Eric.
Most contacted Square Trade (which is a joke) and got this response
"I will resolve this directly with the other party without SquareTrade."
I am only 1 in 78 of the group. I did figure out FOR Sure that out of 78 people Eric made out good with $1,480.80.
I KNOW for a fact 99.9% of the sellers on Ebay are honest and of course we don't want them hurt by bad publicity. I have a feedback of over 500 (all positive, no tarnished marks) on Ebay from buying in the last 3 years (embarassing to admidt)and many people don't leave feedback. I used to love bidding on the auctions for family and friends.
How do we stop people from this type of fraud? Sure would be a good way to get extra money IF it goes unexposed.
posted on August 19, 2002 04:39:01 PM new
sandraj, you have stopped this kind of fraud and you have exposed him. You have done all the right things. The justice system is slow, be patient.
Just wait for the wheels of justice to work and turn your energy into something more positive. He's a jerk, he scammed you and there was no way for you to see it coming. His feedback was decent. He quite possibly did not start out with fraud in mind and he may be in a situation that he can't find his way out of... not that that is any consolation. He will be punished, but not by writing a news story about it.
You have done all you can. Is all this angst worth the price of a hose that you didn't receive?
Best of luck to you and just so you know, there are scammers everywhere in real life, not just on Ebay. Just put it all in perspective.
posted on August 19, 2002 06:01:17 PM new
A hose I didn't receive??? Try $90.25. $54.75 for 5 hoses plus $35.50 for shipping.
I know there is fraud in all corners of the world, I even heard at one time there is shoplifting in the shops and malls. I don't have to make it easy or accept it.
Thank you for your suggestions and best of luck to you and your sales also.
