Mistyfisch
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posted on December 24, 2000 12:43:32 AM new
I just lost 20 dollars each to two sellers who have taken payment but refused to ship what I purchased. A red flag went up when both stopped answering emails after they got paid. Is there nothing a buyer can do to get their 40 bucks back? It's awful that people can get away with this kind of fraud; the principle of the matter.
I'm an optimist, but it doens't seem to help much.
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jwpc
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posted on December 24, 2000 06:21:52 AM new
I am sorry to hear of your problem. The first thing one would have to know regarding what you can do is "HOW DID YOU PAY?" That is credit card, PayDirect, PayPal, check, MO, what?
With that info perhaps we can give you some ideas on rectifying your problem.
Wishes to everyone for a Blessed Christ Day. Our Christmas Greeting to YOU at this URL:
http://www.snowhill.com/~beau/2000christdaycard.htm
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CAgrrl
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posted on December 24, 2000 02:27:06 PM new
Yikes! That sux. We're all ears though, please do post your method of payment as jwpc suggested. 
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Mistyfisch
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posted on December 24, 2000 03:43:02 PM new
I sent one individual a personal check, the other person was an unverified seller through PayPal. I did some digging and the unverified seller has several identities on Ebay, and several people have been scammed by this schmuck. I think I'm gonna have to eat this one folks.
I'm an optimist, but it doesn't help much.
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toomanycomics
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posted on December 25, 2000 12:57:14 PM new
first, is the check have been cashed?
if not, you can have the check stopped.
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bearmom
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posted on December 25, 2000 01:31:54 PM new
It generally costs as much to have the check stopped as it was originally for-15 to 20 dollars. I've had the same experience, and know how frustrating this is!
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jblantz
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posted on December 25, 2000 09:36:21 PM new
Be quick about this. You need to take the IDs you have of the known scammer and report them to e-bay now. Save someone else your pain. Then, you can write two letters. One to the postmaster at the zip code you sent the money to. Let him know that someone at this address is committing a type of mail fraud. You need to write the attorney general for the state that you sent the money too. Let him know the address and what happened. Let him/or her know all of the other info you have collected. Let him toss this guy in jail. Are you going to get your money back? I doubt it. You might want to get a copy of the canceled check and see where he deposited it. Mail the bank and let them know the account is being used for criminal activity and they have a requirement to investigate/close the account. You will being this for your fellow man and any satifaction in catching this guy. If you sit back and lick your sores, there will be more victims and he will get richer. I am sorry about your money. If he has any current auctions up, e-mail the high bidders and warn them at least until e-bay shuts him down. Man this is a real shame. Some people don't deserve to share this earth with us. I hope you are blessed during the holidays.
Jeff
[ edited by jblantz on Dec 25, 2000 09:38 PM ]
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Mistyfisch
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posted on December 25, 2000 10:45:01 PM new
Wow, Jeff! Thanks for your post. I felt a lot better reading your suggestions. You sound like the coolest. Well, I will do what you suggest as much as I can. The person with the unknown identity also has an unknown address as she received the money via PayPal. If I find out where she is from, I will definitely write to the post office where she lives. Thanks again for your info. You sound like you've been down this road before...what was the scenario?
Happy Holidays to you too, bud.
I'm an optimist, but it doesn't help much.
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jblantz
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posted on December 25, 2000 11:28:51 PM new
Misty,
The payment you made with paypal has hope if it was made in the last 60 days. If you e-mail paypal with the problem they will freeze the amount in question until he/sheships you the item. Even if he has sent the money to his bank account, they can pull back any deposits made within 60 days. Some sellers have been pissed with Paypal because they will freeze and investigate quickly. Some sellers were burned with hot credit cards. It is best to deal with verified Paypal users so you have the free insurance. They will still go after a user even if his is unverified. It does not give him a licence to cheat. A guy at work was having problems with a seller not sending a item. The guy responded to e-mails but kept making excuses saying he was a middle man and the guy he paid was going to ship the item. I told him to e-mail paypal and within hours they froze the amount in the guys account. Talk about action. He finally got the item and the matter was resolved. I am impressed that PayPal would do that even for small amounts. I think they want to take a hardline with cheats. I have enjoyed my paypal account. The free service is enough for me since I am more of a buyer than a seller. Thanks for your compliments I can alway use more of those. You asked if I had been down this road before. No, I have been very lucky. I try to trade safe and I have never had any problems. I pick up a lot of info on dealing with problem "children" while working in the Air Force. I try to be there when my workers need help. They look to you for answers and if you don't know any, you kinda feel on the spot to find some. I think it will take a few years for the auction sites and payment services to get all the bugs worked. It is not bad now but some cheats will try to find a hole in the system and then it has to be patched up. I hope PayPal will help you and you see some of your money back. Previously I wrote only about your check payment and forgot about telling you about dealing with paypal. I get to typing and lose track. That what happens in your 30's. I can't multi-task anymore 
Jeff
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Mistyfisch
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posted on December 25, 2000 11:33:01 PM new
Wow, thanks again for your help. I didn't read the whole thing yet, but I wanted to ask you before you go...How do I get around PayPal's automated email responses? Should I phone them and speak in person?
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Mistyfisch
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posted on December 25, 2000 11:36:28 PM new
In the time I heard from you last, I have found yet another identity of this fraudulent seller on Ebay. I am stunned to say the least. Jeff, you truly are an efficient problem solver. I'm glad people like you walk this Earth.
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jblantz
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posted on December 26, 2000 02:29:51 AM new
The guy at work was said he logged in and went to customer service. They gave him an e-mail address (something like [email protected] but he could not remember for sure) He said once he sent the facts to that address, it was very fast. They had it done within hours. Here is the info I got from Paypal FAQ..
You should first contact the seller to see if understandable circumstances prevented the shipment of your merchandise. If you are unable to resolve the situation this way, you should contact Customer Service (click on help then on the bottom right is Customer Service) immediately to log a fraud report.
I am sure they will do the same for you as they did for my co-worker. Keep those compliments coming I am starting to feel warm and fuzzy. I am glad I can help. I hope you shut that sucker down and let him feel some of the pain he has gave to others. I is nice that you have found his new e-bay id. I am sure it will help e-bay track him. Make sure to let them know.
Good luck Misty...
Jeff
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Mistyfisch
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posted on December 26, 2000 11:35:44 AM new
Thanks again, Jeff. If they shut this person down, it probably won't be because of my 21.00. I keep getting automated emails. I called them today. I've been sharing info with other people who have been scammed, and this person lives in Canada. It's been fun playing the detective though. I've always wanted to be a P.I. It cost 21 bucks to play though. You're awesome Jeff. Have a Happy New Year.
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Spreland
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posted on December 27, 2000 11:19:20 AM new
Don't expect any help from Yahoo. I've reported bounced checks and scams and the only response from Yahoo was that they don't get involved with transactions.
I've been a little disgusted with Yahoo. But I always have to qualify my negative comments by saying, as long as Yahoo is free, its still a bargain.
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millicent_roberts
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posted on December 27, 2000 05:12:05 PM new
Do NOT open an attachment with JIMI HENDRIX in the title. Someone got angry with me because I didn't leave feedback fast enough to suit them and if Norton had not quarantined it, I'd have gone dead again.
Last one was the KAK. Compliments of another auction site.
I sent all the info to them at yahoo. I have not heard anything, it was only last night however. But be aware. It is nasty.
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CAgrrl
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posted on December 27, 2000 09:24:50 PM new
YIKES!! Thanks for the warning, Millicent!! I'm only lucky to have not dealt with that person, since last night I sat down & left like 2 weeks worth of feedback- I was SO FAR behind it was pathetic!!! New years resolution- keep up with feedback!!!
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