Getting robbed by a SELLER! NEED HELP PLEASE

[mikers99]

Hi there,
I have delt with this seller once before and the transaction took 5 weeks for me to get the package from Him (Air Mail from IL to New-Brunswick). It went through the Duties and I paid for them when the package arrived. Package was nicely done and his rating is great. Usually Air Mail from the East coast USA to NB takes 3-7 days... Central USA 5-9 days and so on...
Now I purchased another auction
(137.44$US) from him on March 7 and paid via paypal (balance not credit card) on March 8. I was expecting this package to arrive no later than 5 weeks again...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3179050498
It has been 3.25 months since then. He started telling me that the package was sent out each week that I would email him after 4 weeks. He would always email me back that the package is sent out. He would never say anything like well the package must be lost or anything like that.
Finally after 6 weeks, I told him that I would have to open up a claim against him on EBAY (my 30 days were over on PAYPAL :(). He then gave me this story on a death in a family and so on. He then was in contact with me pretty much all the time when I emailed him about the package. Now I can't leave him negative feedback, can't do anything with paypal and can't do a claim with him on EBAY.
I have emailed him again and he states the package is on it's way. OBVIOUSLY it is not. I got scammed. I learned my lesson on Paypal and EBAY this time.

What to do? Can I call his local police dept? make a form with the FBI? Make a complaint to the RCMP website? I tried calling his house but he does not answer. The only thing I got on him is that he works for a big company (hearing aids). I have the toll free # for that company. http://www.phonak.com/

NEED HELP PLEASE?

[muminlaw]

I don't use PayPal so I'm not too familiar with their rules, but it's my understanding that they require a seller to ship with some kind of tracking and/or insurance. Ask your seller for the tracking number, and ask him to start a claim for a lost package. Did he send by USPS or UPS/FedEx or ...? Either way, it should be trackable.

Also, as long as you have the eBay item number, which you obviously do, you can leave feedback. I've heard of people leaving feedback as long as a year after the transaction!

Good luck with this! Glenda

[phoebescollectables]

Hi,

If you paid by paypal did you use your credit card. If so call your credit card company and file for non-delivery of goods. That way you may get your money back right away. If not try this page for useful links. http://www.mindspring.com/~bookdealers/ripoff.html

[zarzuella]

Mikers, it looks like you are screwed with Paypal - what a pity you used your balance.

Your best option is to contact his local police department - I remember once reading about another buyer who got the name & phone number of a contact at the local precinct closest to the seller - when he emailed the seller with that information, the seller was scared into making a quick refund. I believe it's postal fraud too - contact the USPS via their website.

You will get better advice on claiming from a US seller on the US powersellers board - try there.

Ann

[whoscloset]

I believe there is a way that you can leave negatives for up to a year. You just have to have the item number.

Anybody recall where this page is?

Monique

[mevans_dot_net]

http://cgi2.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?LeaveFeedbackShow&nflw=2

You need the username and item number to use this form. Use it any time, even years later.

File a complaint with his local police station, most have internet fraud depts now. And give him the name, phone number, case number, etc so he knows you're not bluffing. File with the USPS for mail fraud for sure, and yes, the FBI if they have a division to deal with internet crimes of this nature.

Post for help on the trust & safety discussion board. There are other places to make claims. People on that board will know them all I'm sure.

Call his work, I would. $137US is too much money to lose without a fight.

[shooger]

Unfortunately, anything you can do now is hollow. Your first and second lines of defense (PayPal claim, eBay claim, and negative feedback) are gone. Don't let anyone tell you to keep waiting. After 29 days, file a PayPal chargeback, always. 3 months? I wasn't in your shoes, but I think I would have probably done something a lot sooner. Sorry for your loss!

[flameonglass]

> Now I can't leave him negative feedback,<

Sure, you can mikers99.
You can leave feedback on an item indefinately as long as you have the item #.

[shooger]

That's true, the link is:

http://cgi2.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?LeaveFeedbackShow&nflw=2

Neg him good! 😛

[eserafini]

TAKE YOUR PICK regarding what applies
This was on CTS:

If you FEEL that you were defrauded or misrepresented, IN MY HONEST OPINION, the following is a list of steps/measures available to get the Seller to perform (get item or refund).
Do not post Non-Positive Feedback until you have properly filed your Complaint with eBay's SafeHarbor and have allowed enough time for Seller communication and correction.

Contact the Seller via the eBay Message Forwarding System by clicking on their # after the User ID or by using the "ask Seller a question" on the Auction Page.

If communication breaks down or the Seller becomes unresponsive then:

Within 90 days, File Non-Performing/Shipping Seller by contacting Rules and Safety using the WebForm.
Select in the Fields >Transaction Problems -> I am a Buyer -> I sent money but haven't received the item.
Press "Continue" button, bottom right of next page, press "Contact Support" button, enter auction # and complaint in message area, press "Send to Support" button.
http://pages.ebay.com/help/basics/select-RS.html

If you paid via Paypal, File a Buyer Complaint and Request a chargeback within 30 days of Payment.
http://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/gen/buyer-complaint-outside

File the Online Fraud Report/Claim/Complaint w/ eBay's SafeHarbor from 30-60 days of End of Auction (EOA).
http://crs.ebay.com/aw-cgi/ebayisapi.dll?crsstartpage

File Mail Fraud Complaint w/ US Postal Service (USPS) after 30 days and up to apx 1 year.
http://www.framed.usps.com/postalinspectors/fraud/MailFraudComplaint.htm
Or download the PDF file, PS Form 8165 .

Also file the Complaints with the following resources.

National Fraud Information Center (NFIC)
http://63.222.159.194/repoform.htm

FBI's Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC)
http://www.ifccfbi.gov/

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) FTC Consumer Complaint Form
https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/wsolcq$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=PU01

National Fraud Information Center (NFIC)
http://63.222.159.194/repoform.htm

FBI's Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC)
http://www.ifccfbi.gov/

Better Business Bureau (BBB)
http://www.bbb.org/bbbcomplaints/Welcome.asp

The National Consumer Complaint Center for Internet Fraud, False Advertising and Breached Warranties(NCCC)
http://www.alexanderlaw.com/nccc/cb-ftc.html

CCIPS, Reporting Internet Crime
http://www.cybercrime.gov/reporting.htm

Master List Of Attorneys General
http://www.naag.org/ag/full_ag_table.cfm

Fraud Bureau.com
http://www.fraudbureau.com/database/file5.html

International Fraud Resources

International Web Police (IWP)
http://www.InterGOV.org/forms/wp_crimereport.html
International Web Police
http://www.web-police.org/
Interpol
http://www.interpol.com/
Canada Fraud Resources

Canada Information Centre Enquiry/Complaint Form
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/SSG/ct01260e.html
Canadian Consumer Information Gateway
http://consumerinformation.ca/cgi-bin/main.cgi?Language=E
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/
UK Fraud Resources

UK: Crime Reduction Site
http://www.crimereduction.gov.uk/
UK: Serious Fraud Office
http://www.sfo.gov.uk/international/evidence_uk.asp
UK: Crown Prosecution Service
http://www.cps.gov.uk/

Good luck!

[itrecovery]

WoW! I will cut and paste....

[mikers99]

I had got the phone #/email address from his local police force. I got his Email address/web site from his company HR at work. (he was emailing me from his work email and was telling me many times that he was sending it from work).
I had also filed a report to EBAY for fraud a while back (I did not remember it).
Now the fun part. He paid me back and asked me not to contact his HR/police force and State Athorney General.

Finaly after 3 months, I got my money back from his PAYPAL BANK FUNDS through service. I made him a bill from paypal a while back and the title was PAY ME BACK MY MONEY You OWE ME! hehe...

Is there a limit of time before he can get his money back? (30days) or is it mine now?
Anyways, thanks for the link also!
mike