posted on January 15, 2004 08:27:25 PM new
This past fall my friend bought a toy hovercraft from a toy seller with a decent feedback rating -- 150 positives (all in about two months), no negs, so it seemed like a safe bet. The hovercraft didn't work upon receipt. Seller said return it, he would replace it. After my friend sent the toy back, the seller was NARU'd, subsequent emails to the seller bounced, etc. The toy was never replaced.
My friend paid with PayPal but says he can't do a chargeback because he paid via checking account and not credit card.
Anyone have an idea of how to proceed here? Just write it off to a bad experience, or is there some recourse?
posted on January 16, 2004 03:06:55 AM new
Hi Rare ... Your friend used a VISA debit type card which linked to his checking account?
That's what we have; looks like and acts like a VISA numbered 'credit card' but it's actually our debit card, AND although I haven't had to face a situation like your friend as of yet, my bank DID tell me years ago when we got this card, that if we ever needed to do a 'chargeback' for a legitimate reason, that we could do so. [they said just call and ask for a claim form] ... Have your friend ask at his bank ...
posted on January 16, 2004 12:01:21 PM new
He could contact the Post Office stating mail fraud. The guy has the return and the money. Did he use tracking on the return to show the seller received it. Everyone should. I had a half.com purchase I had to return- I had to email Half when the guy stopped responding to emails. The guy screwed over another customer who did not use tracking.
I would also have him file a complaint with the BBB. He can also file with the attorney general in the sellers state.
I have used the BBB to help with an Ebay seller who tried to screw me. I finally did get a replacement.
I always try to use my credit card with all purchase from companys I am unfamiliar with.
posted on January 16, 2004 12:07:48 PM new
Try the mail fraud thing for some catharsis. The odds of getting a refund from this guy are next to zero. The only good thing that can come out of the deal maybe to learn that almost every ebay auction is a gamble of somekind.
-------------- sig file ----------- *There is no conclusive evidence that life is serious*
almost every ebay auction is a gamble of somekind.
If that was true, these boards would be full of bad experiences and they're not. Aren't statements like that a putdown for all sellers? And I thought you were a seller also.
posted on January 16, 2004 06:58:33 PM new
Thanks, everyone.
The guy shipped the toy back to the seller via AirBorne Express (there are tracking numbers), but I guess that doesn't qualify for mail fraud protection. I will pass along all info to him anyway. Thanks, kiara, for that excellent link.
posted on January 16, 2004 07:13:21 PM new
see,your friend is throwing more money at a bad deal.
why cant he just chalk it up to experience and move on??
-sig file -------the lobster in the boiling pot of water who tries to prevent the others from climbing out.
posted on January 16, 2004 07:54:13 PM new
If your friend has sent him money and returned the item, he obviously has the sellers home address. It shouldn't be too difficult to get his phone number. Call him up and get the first hand story about whats going on. Depending on the story he comes up with, he might want to consider calling the Police dept in the sellers town and filing a complaint. Whether or not they do anything remains to be seen. The local PD is only the first number on a very long list you have to choose from.
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
posted on January 17, 2004 07:19:44 AM new
rare,
if the seller does not refund after accepting the return,it is mail fraud.
years ago someone sold me a bunch of broken glass as jade and refuse to accept return and refund.
i returned the item via usps asking for signature receipt and his neighbor signed for it and left it at his door when he was away.
so when he refused to issue refund,i filed usps fraud and his excuse to the post office is that i made a partial return so he can only issue a partial refund,to get off the usps hook.
but then ebay threw him out afterwards.
but that was years ago,i dont know if usps fraud investigation have time for all these ebay complaints.
when you buy on ebay,just remember you are buying mostly from individuals,not big corporations like bestbuy or dell,and a few hundred dollars or even 50 dollars is extra money in the pocket for the seller.
now that he is naru'd.what does he care about his reputation or customer service ??
he was never a big name in the retail industry to begin with.
so always remember,when buying on ebay,be willing to lose every dime of that purchase.
-sig file -------the lobster in the boiling pot of water who tries to prevent the others from climbing out.
posted on January 17, 2004 07:25:32 AM new
i love these posts where author has a friend or in law or great aunt in montana who got into trouble buying on ebay.
do these buyers have a pc??
are their fingers broken??
are they too busy to come to this board??
or have they joined the people liberation army of rwanda,tunisia or ukraine and cant come to discuss their own issue??
-sig file -------the lobster in the boiling pot of water who tries to prevent the others from climbing out.
posted on January 17, 2004 04:56:07 PM new
Well in this case, stopwhining, the buyer doesn't even know this board exists. He's just a casual eBayer who came to me with a problem, and since I've been here for a few years, I thought I'd run it by the experts.
Thanks again to everyone for the help.
rarebourbon
