Serious advice needed!!!! Please Help!!! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BigBlockBurris · 01-05-2004, 11:54 PM

I have bought something off of E-bay. My last time, I swear. But heres my problem. The seller had over 250 feedbacks however, some not so good. I took a chance and bid. The item ended at $200 and I won. I sent a money order and he e-mailed me that he had recieved it. Then came the excuses, weather, wrecked car, and now his "packages" were stolen at the wrecker yard so no item to send. I had had it with him so I told him I wanted a refund. He said he would send it when he felt like it in 3 months!!!
So I reminded him that it was a US Postal Service Money order he cashed and that was mail fraud! Now he is saying for me to prosecute and that he is never mailing my $$$ back. Do I really have any way of getting my money back? If it was $10 or so I would right it off but it is $200. Can the Postal Inspector help me or am I screwed? I know E-bay collections is a joke. What to do?

Thanks

BBB

Tx Firefighter · 01-05-2004, 11:56 PM

Contact ebay and tell them your story. They'll get right in the middle of it.

I had to get them involved in a similar deal once. They took care of me.

Leinie · 01-05-2004, 11:57 PM

Give copies of all your correspondance to the Postal inspector and see what they say- I'll bet they talk this guy into returning your money. (If they can find him )

Hooter · 01-06-2004, 01:00 AM

had that happen to me, bought some trim for my Monte, guy said he was in a car wreck and the trim was in the car, ya right, meh gotta watch out sometimes

doughby82 · 01-06-2004, 04:15 AM

i work for the post office ill ask some of the inspectors about it tommorrow.

doughby82 · 01-06-2004, 04:17 AM

better yet here you go
http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors.../ContactUs.htm

lost wages · 01-06-2004, 04:29 AM

please post the guys name so others dont suffer the same fate, i guess ive been lucky but ill get bit eventually, i guess its part of the game. sad.

Injected68LS1 · 01-06-2004, 05:52 AM

The good news for you is that ebay covers you for $200(no kidding). I had a deal go sour on a $500 purchase and I went through the rounds with ebay and filed a few things. You have to fill out some forms and fax some stuff. So I finally got $175 from ebay, they charge $25 for processing. It will take a few months but you need to file ASAP so you don't pass their deadline for when you can take action.

Rooster's 67 · 01-06-2004, 06:18 AM

contact e-bay and the post office, and you may contact your lawyer and see what kind of leg or arm you have to give to them (also most lawyers will give free phone consult if it is a short call)

TEXAS 68 · 01-06-2004, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by lost wages
please post the guys name so others dont suffer the same fate, i guess ive been lucky but ill get bit eventually, i guess its part of the game. sad.

post his name and location maybe he lives close to a board member and we can help.

**old Rusty C10** · 01-06-2004, 12:03 PM

its definately mail fraud hes using the mail to commit the act of stealing your money. I wish youd post the name too

VTKidder · 01-06-2004, 12:29 PM

Sucks when a few bad apples ruin it for everyone. Whenever I sell something, I don't do it until I have the item boxed up and ready to stick an address to; a little motivation to rapidly complete the transaction.

Granted, shipping stuff is the WORST part of ebay selling, but getting completely bent stinks. I've got 2 negatives in a row from one dude that I bought tinted vent windows from (both were bent to whiz and unusable, and he gave me neg. feedback. The other was a guy I sold a leather motorcycle jacket to that had been down before; told him it had rash, sent pics, did a favor shipping to England, then left me neg. feedback because the rash was "worse than the pics and description."

There's a lot of a##holes out there; just need to be careful. Thats why this messageboard is great; I'd rather buy off here than ebay anyday!

Blue Beard · 01-06-2004, 04:03 PM

I had a similar thing happen for $28

Never received the item. Contacted the Postal Service, and they issued a refund on the Money Order. Mainly because I did a tracer, and they found it hadn't been cashed. Supposedly the guy went out of business.

Three years later he cashed it, falsely of course. And the postal service wanted me to pay them back.

Postal insurance is nothing but a rip off as well. They won't pay off on claims.

sactoC10 · 01-06-2004, 04:43 PM

I just went through a few weeks of something similar with the seller in the Northwest. He insisted he'd not send me anything and had no problem cursing up a storm via e-mail.

I got ebay, paypal and square trade all in the middle of it and he did finally ship the items against his will.

You have certain time frames to get matters resolved, so gather your information, dates, details, e-mails, etc...and forward them to the security center at ebay.

Hope it works out for you. Seems as if I have a transaction go bonkers 1-2 times per year.

JT

68cajun · 01-06-2004, 05:18 PM

I purchased a swimming pool for my kids from a seller on e-bay. The auction was over and i didn't win, but he e-mailed me saying that he would sell me one for the price i bid. So isent him a 1,500 dollar money order. E-mails and phone calls were fine till he got the money, then he would not answer his phone or answer e-mails. This went on for a while, then he finally e-mailed me saying he had got a damaged shipment and it would be another couple of weeks. Another month went buy and still no pool. I tracked him down vial the internet and realized i had a freind that lived about 50 miles from him, and the friend is with the FBI. I had him pay the guy a visit, and i got a pool 5 days later and a whole bunch of free goodies.
Sometimes you got to lean on them a bit.
I will never buy anything outside of e-bay again.I had no leg to stand on, except maybe mail fraud.

Zumo · 01-06-2004, 05:22 PM

I make it a point to never bid on something where the seller has any negative feedback. I don't want to take any chances. No matter how bad I need what they may be selling.

*rickspickuppart* · 01-06-2004, 06:17 PM

IMO I wouldn't totally agree w/ not bidding on something just because the seller has a negative, you have to consider that the more feed back you have the greater chance that you will run into the person that can't be made happy no matter what you do (and yes there alot of bidders like that).

The other thing you have to think about is how long has it been since the seller has gotten a negative, many new sellers make mistakes and get Bidders P.O.'d - it's not because they are cheats or rip offs, it's just that they haven't learned what to do or who/what to watch out for yet (I had the same problem when I started out on it feedback )

but you do have to be carefull who's stuff you bid on, and please post the guys ebay name so I can have a new addition to my blocked bidders list.

Shawn

01-05-2004, 11:54 PM	#1
BigBlockBurris Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Concord,NC,USA Posts: 743	Serious advice needed!!!! Please Help!!! I have bought something off of E-bay. My last time, I swear. But heres my problem. The seller had over 250 feedbacks however, some not so good. I took a chance and bid. The item ended at $200 and I won. I sent a money order and he e-mailed me that he had recieved it. Then came the excuses, weather, wrecked car, and now his "packages" were stolen at the wrecker yard so no item to send. I had had it with him so I told him I wanted a refund. He said he would send it when he felt like it in 3 months!!! So I reminded him that it was a US Postal Service Money order he cashed and that was mail fraud! Now he is saying for me to prosecute and that he is never mailing my $$$ back. Do I really have any way of getting my money back? If it was $10 or so I would right it off but it is $200. Can the Postal Inspector help me or am I screwed? I know E-bay collections is a joke. What to do? Thanks BBB

01-05-2004, 11:56 PM	#2
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Contact ebay and tell them your story. They'll get right in the middle of it. I had to get them involved in a similar deal once. They took care of me. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

01-06-2004, 01:00 AM	#4
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,085	had that happen to me, bought some trim for my Monte, guy said he was in a car wreck and the trim was in the car, ya right, meh gotta watch out sometimes __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

01-06-2004, 04:15 AM	#5
doughby82 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: springfield ill Posts: 836	i work for the post office ill ask some of the inspectors about it tommorrow. __________________ springfield illinois 2003 custom (harley)built from scratch 68 swb

01-06-2004, 04:17 AM	#6
doughby82 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: springfield ill Posts: 836	better yet here you go http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors.../ContactUs.htm __________________ springfield illinois 2003 custom (harley)built from scratch 68 swb

01-05-2004, 11:57 PM	#3
Leinie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: USA Posts: 2,613	Give copies of all your correspondance to the Postal inspector and see what they say- I'll bet they talk this guy into returning your money. (If they can find him )

01-06-2004, 04:29 AM	#7
lost wages Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: jefferson city, mo Posts: 1,364	please post the guys name so others dont suffer the same fate, i guess ive been lucky but ill get bit eventually, i guess its part of the game. sad.

01-06-2004, 05:52 AM	#8
Injected68LS1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 389	The good news for you is that ebay covers you for $200(no kidding). I had a deal go sour on a $500 purchase and I went through the rounds with ebay and filed a few things. You have to fill out some forms and fax some stuff. So I finally got $175 from ebay, they charge $25 for processing. It will take a few months but you need to file ASAP so you don't pass their deadline for when you can take action. __________________ 1968 Chev SWB with 1998 Corvette LS1 305hp and 320 ftlb to the wheels (stock engine!) AEM EMS and wideband O2 sensors Bowtie Overdrive's 700R4, stage 3 Baer 4 wheel discs and 20s http://iciclelanding.com/aperture?album=2049&view=album

01-06-2004, 06:18 AM	#9
Rooster's 67 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: DFW Posts: 765	contact e-bay and the post office, and you may contact your lawyer and see what kind of leg or arm you have to give to them (also most lawyers will give free phone consult if it is a short call) __________________ The problem with America is stupidity. I'm not saying there should be a capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?

01-06-2004, 12:03 PM	#11
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,332	its definately mail fraud hes using the mail to commit the act of stealing your money. I wish youd post the name too __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

01-06-2004, 12:29 PM	#12
VTKidder Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 996	Sucks when a few bad apples ruin it for everyone. Whenever I sell something, I don't do it until I have the item boxed up and ready to stick an address to; a little motivation to rapidly complete the transaction. Granted, shipping stuff is the WORST part of ebay selling, but getting completely bent stinks. I've got 2 negatives in a row from one dude that I bought tinted vent windows from (both were bent to whiz and unusable, and he gave me neg. feedback. The other was a guy I sold a leather motorcycle jacket to that had been down before; told him it had rash, sent pics, did a favor shipping to England, then left me neg. feedback because the rash was "worse than the pics and description." There's a lot of a##holes out there; just need to be careful. Thats why this messageboard is great; I'd rather buy off here than ebay anyday!

01-06-2004, 04:03 PM	#13
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,831	I had a similar thing happen for $28 Never received the item. Contacted the Postal Service, and they issued a refund on the Money Order. Mainly because I did a tracer, and they found it hadn't been cashed. Supposedly the guy went out of business. Three years later he cashed it, falsely of course. And the postal service wanted me to pay them back. Postal insurance is nothing but a rip off as well. They won't pay off on claims. __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo

01-06-2004, 04:43 PM	#14
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,055	I just went through a few weeks of something similar with the seller in the Northwest. He insisted he'd not send me anything and had no problem cursing up a storm via e-mail. I got ebay, paypal and square trade all in the middle of it and he did finally ship the items against his will. You have certain time frames to get matters resolved, so gather your information, dates, details, e-mails, etc...and forward them to the security center at ebay. Hope it works out for you. Seems as if I have a transaction go bonkers 1-2 times per year. JT

01-06-2004, 05:18 PM	#15
68cajun 68 C/10 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Houma Louisiana Posts: 367	E-bay I purchased a swimming pool for my kids from a seller on e-bay. The auction was over and i didn't win, but he e-mailed me saying that he would sell me one for the price i bid. So isent him a 1,500 dollar money order. E-mails and phone calls were fine till he got the money, then he would not answer his phone or answer e-mails. This went on for a while, then he finally e-mailed me saying he had got a damaged shipment and it would be another couple of weeks. Another month went buy and still no pool. I tracked him down vial the internet and realized i had a freind that lived about 50 miles from him, and the friend is with the FBI. I had him pay the guy a visit, and i got a pool 5 days later and a whole bunch of free goodies. Sometimes you got to lean on them a bit. I will never buy anything outside of e-bay again.I had no leg to stand on, except maybe mail fraud. __________________ (2009) GMC Sierra Denali 6.2 AWD (67 C/10 fleetside SWB) (2018GMC Yukon Denali) Wifes Car

01-06-2004, 05:22 PM	#16
Zumo Hot Rods For Life Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Waxahachie, TX Posts: 3,305	I make it a point to never bid on something where the seller has any negative feedback. I don't want to take any chances. No matter how bad I need what they may be selling. __________________ 1968 C10 LWB **SOLD* Andy Viva Los Bicicletas! Los Muertos Custom Bicycles



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01-06-2004, 06:17 PM	#17
rickspickuppart Account Suspended Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,284	IMO I wouldn't totally agree w/ not bidding on something just because the seller has a negative, you have to consider that the more feed back you have the greater chance that you will run into the person that can't be made happy no matter what you do (and yes there alot of bidders like that). The other thing you have to think about is how long has it been since the seller has gotten a negative, many new sellers make mistakes and get Bidders P.O.'d - it's not because they are cheats or rip offs, it's just that they haven't learned what to do or who/what to watch out for yet (I had the same problem when I started out on it feedback ) but you do have to be carefull who's stuff you bid on, and please post the guys ebay name so I can have a new addition to my blocked bidders list. Shawn Last edited by rickspickuppart; 01-06-2004 at 06:52 PM.

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