Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - When should I start to worry when buying off ebay?

a2k · 08-14-2003, 11:19 AM

Of course, they're probably very honest and are off camping for the week. But just in case...

Coilz, march yourself over to ebay's transaction disputes and fraud section immediately! They offer like $200 in insurance, but you have to take the EXACT right steps in order to get it. If you wait too long (which they encourage you to do in a sneaky move) you will not be able to collect.

Hindsight is no help right now, but in the future, a few simple things go a long way. My rules: First, don't buy from anybody with no feedback or who is new. Second, don't buy from anybody with more than 1% negative feedback. Third, always send the seller a detailed question about the item and see how (and if) they respond. No response = no bid.

If you do get ripped off, don't let them get away with it. Be persistent because the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Use google to find out more about them (where they live, work, other emails, etc.) and use the information (but never physically threaten them or do things that make you a criminal as well). Keep good records of everything related to the transaction (save emails, receipts and check stubs, keep a copy of the auction page, a copy of paypal, and a log of all conversations or attempted conversations). If you can't get them to budge, file a complaint with the attorney general in the state the seller's from. Emphasize "mail order fraud". Email any other buyers that gave them a negative rating to learn why they gave them negative ratings. If you can show a consistent mode of fraudulent operating you are more likely to get the AG's attention.

I've been ripped off twice. Once, it took 60 days of pestering and a few very mean calls from a lawyer to get my money back. The other took about 1 year with constant help from the attorney general in the state the seller was from (at first, the AG was just gonna send them a clarification of facts letter, but when the guy started lying to them and getting caught, it quickly became a "refund the money or pay $10k fine and go to jail for up to 10 years").

Good luck!

08-14-2003, 11:19 AM	#20 (permalink)
a2k Crazy Location: Seattle	Of course, they're probably very honest and are off camping for the week. But just in case... Coilz, march yourself over to ebay's transaction disputes and fraud section immediately! They offer like $200 in insurance, but you have to take the EXACT right steps in order to get it. If you wait too long (which they encourage you to do in a sneaky move) you will not be able to collect. Hindsight is no help right now, but in the future, a few simple things go a long way. My rules: First, don't buy from anybody with no feedback or who is new. Second, don't buy from anybody with more than 1% negative feedback. Third, always send the seller a detailed question about the item and see how (and if) they respond. No response = no bid. If you do get ripped off, don't let them get away with it. Be persistent because the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Use google to find out more about them (where they live, work, other emails, etc.) and use the information (but never physically threaten them or do things that make you a criminal as well). Keep good records of everything related to the transaction (save emails, receipts and check stubs, keep a copy of the auction page, a copy of paypal, and a log of all conversations or attempted conversations). If you can't get them to budge, file a complaint with the attorney general in the state the seller's from. Emphasize "mail order fraud". Email any other buyers that gave them a negative rating to learn why they gave them negative ratings. If you can show a consistent mode of fraudulent operating you are more likely to get the AG's attention. I've been ripped off twice. Once, it took 60 days of pestering and a few very mean calls from a lawyer to get my money back. The other took about 1 year with constant help from the attorney general in the state the seller was from (at first, the AG was just gonna send them a clarification of facts letter, but when the guy started lying to them and getting caught, it quickly became a "refund the money or pay $10k fine and go to jail for up to 10 years"). Good luck!