An eBay Computer Purchase
An eBay purchase that turned sour.
A story of fraud, deceit, and broken promises.
Let me preface my statements by saying that I think eBay is great. I'm a handicapped senior citizen and it's been a boon to me to be able to shop the Internet and particularly eBay. In nearly six years I've had two problems both to do with non-delivery.
One incident was insignificant as it involved a $5.00 purchase and was quickly remedied. It only deserves mention because it was my first purchase, and because I complained about non-delivery the vindictive seller gave me a negative feed back, which remains on my record to this day.
Some months ago I purchased a computer through eBay. It was a very good price, but not so low as to arouse suspicion. I paid through Paypal using a credit card.
I had checked the seller's feedback record, which was perfect. Next day I received an acknowledgment and a promise to ship in a day or so. I waited for a week or so, then followed up the shipment. The seller, Ann apologized and said that she was a government attorney, on call and had been called out of town unexpectedly. She said she was on the road and on her return home would advise me the status of the order.
About a week later I received an email with an email with a UPS tracking number and an expected delivery date. The date was somewhat extended, but I accepted it, as it was coming across country. When the PC didn't arrive as expected I sent Ann another email. Her response was another apology and she said that her father had died and she was in another state for the funeral and would look into the matter upon her return, also that due to the inconvenience she was going to refund half my money.
More time elapsed and after several email inquiries I received an email from Ann's husband stating that on her way home from the funeral she had been in a car crash and was hospitalized. He said he was not involved in the transaction, but on her instructions was looking into the matter, and would see that I received not only my computer but also a full refund. Naturally many weeks had elapsed by this time.
I was beginning to become suspicious and checked their feedback record when suddenly there appeared six or seven bad reviews. On a subsequent check they made their feedback private so it couldn't be accessed. By then it was too late, the next thing I knew their email was suspended.
When I contacted eBay they gave me Ann's phone number. When I called the phone number their service had been disconnected. I was unable to get an address from either eBay or Paypal.
I reported this case of fraud, deceit and broken promises to eBay and Paypal. Both had time limits, which had expired, so they were unable to help me, so I turned the matter over to my credit card company.
Fortunately, I had used a protected credit card, and I was within the prescribed time limit. I don't know what transpired but I subsequently received a notice from Paypal that they had credited my account. Eventually I received a full refund.
Lessons Learned:
* Always uses a consumer-protected credit card. Do not ever use your checking or savings account even though Paypal encourages you to do so.
* Make sure you have a consumer-protected card, some do not have this feature, and be aware of the time limits, and other restrictions
* Do not accept stalling tactics even if they seem legitimate. Paypay has a 30-day limit. EBay's is 60 days, or 90 days in some cases. Put in a claim immediately, you can always retract it.
* Be careful when checking feed back, make sure you're getting reports from buyers not sellers. eBay has made it easier to do this now. These people had deliberately purchased a lot of small items to build up a positive feed back record. I have seen a tutorial that advocates doing it for new sellers who have no feed back record .
* Follow tour instincts, I had ignored a lot of danger signals. ---DON'T DO THAT---use your common sense---If you suspect foul play, Take immediate action.
Remember that scam artists are very good psychologists. They know how to appeal to your sensibilities.
Beware---They're Pros they make their living that way. Fraud and deceit are their tools of trade.
Written by: George W. Cannata the publisher of the web site: http://www.caveatemptorus.com, July 8, 2005.
 Google News Updated : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:44:32 GMT Omar grows into Category 2 hurricane in Caribbean - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - CHRISTIANSTED, US Virgin Islands (AP) - Heavy rains and winds pummeled St. Croix on Wednesday as the outer edge of powerful Hurricane Omar drenched the island, stranding motorists on flooded roads and forcing workers to shut down a giant oil refinery. Video: Hurricane Omar Nears Caribbean Islands Omar Strengthens in Caribbean, Aims at Virgin Islands (Update4) Publ.Date : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 01:42:51 GMT FCC report: White space devices work as "proof of concept" - Ars Technica
Ars Technica - By Nate Anderson | Published: October 15, 2008 - 06:08PM CT The FCC's Office of Engineering Technology has released its long-awaited technical report (PDF) on "white space" prototype devices, and the conclusion comes right up front: "At this juncture, ... FCC Chairman backs use of "white space" spectrum FCC Gives Whites Spaces a Boost Publ.Date : Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:12:55 GMT McCain, Obama get personal in final debate - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - HEMPSTEAD, NY (AP) - John McCain told Barack Obama to his face Thursday night, "You didn't tell the American people the truth" about a key campaign pledge as the two presidential rivals slung accusations at close quarters in the final debate of their ... McCain, Obama tussle over backing Bush’s policies Obama Widens Lead as Americans See `Serious' Crisis (Update2) Publ.Date : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:02:37 GMT Paramount to release fewer films, cut 25 DreamWorks employees - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times - By Claudia Eller, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer Looking to cut overhead and operating expenses after the recent departure of DreamWorks co-founder Steven Spielberg, Paramount Pictures plans to release fewer films, consolidate operations and slash 25 ... Spielberg back in fold Paramount cuts films, jobs Publ.Date : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 01:58:16 GMT Maddon Sticks to ‘Plan,’ Giving Ball to Kazmir - New York Times
New York Times - By JOSHUA ROBINSON BOSTON - Tampa Bay Rays Manager Joe Maddon has always disliked last-minute adjustments. So when he threw the Boston Red Sox a curveball on Wednesday by announcing that he was changing his Game 5 starter, Maddon said it was always ... Rays will go with Scott Kazmir in Game 5 Rays continue Cinderella story Publ.Date : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:11:08 GMT Feds investigate failure of Washington Mutual - International Herald Tribune
International Herald Tribune - AP SEATTLE: Federal authorities said Wednesday they have opened an investigation into the failure of Washington Mutual Inc., the largest bank failure in US history. Federal Investigators to Examine Washington Mutual Washington Mutual's Failure Under US Investigation (Update2) Publ.Date : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:10:47 GMT As Rays Come of Age, Torre Likes Their Look - New York Times
New York Times - By TYLER KEPNER LOS ANGELES - For the first 10 years of their existence, when they never won more than 70 games in a season, the Tampa Bay Rays faced Joe Torre more than any other manager. Rollins leads off Game 5 with homer Rollins, Phillies lead Dodgers in Game 5 of NLCS Publ.Date : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:11:08 GMT Increase Search Engine Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... ATV auctions are healthy markets on eBay. All terrain vehicles... Read More You can find good deals on almost everything you need... Read More eBay is an online auction site so it stands to... Read More Buying at auction, be it for stamps or coins, antiques... Read More Hearing that there are more than 1.2 million registered eBay... Read More OK, so you've been bitten by the eBay bug!You've ransacked... Read More Now, are you ready for the REAL TRUTH about selling... Read More POWERSELL Status, the secrets revealed.If like thousands of people you... Read More Q: I made extra money selling things on eBay last... Read More "Ask And You Shall Receive" Policy Works!You're one-of-a-kind baby clothes... Read More Once you've created the best possible title for your item,... Read More I've got this strange friend; her name is Maria. Maria's... Read More You've started your own eBay business and, even though it's... Read More Fee Increase Leaves Some Sellers Angry, Others ThrilledMuch of my... Read More Let me be brutally honest; until recently, I had never... Read More Q: I want to start an online business. Since I... Read More With one brilliantly simple idea, eBay was born just a... Read More Do you like to sell on eBay ? It's easy... Read More The old adage that says "one person's trash is another... Read More Some sell on eBay to clean out their garage or... Read More Basic Paper Piecing TipsHere are some tips that will help... Read More Drop Shipping Is Your Perfect Home Based Business SolutionDrop shipping... Read More Most people do not succeed on the internet because they... Read More For small Internet retailers, drop-shipping is one of the best... Read More Many new Ebay sellers make one of two mistakes: either... Read More
Adsense
websites
All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) Sell Well On eBay
Internet Auction Sites : Find Good Deals on Almost Anything
Tips on How to Profit from eBay Buy It Now Auction Listings
Buying At Auction: 6 Hints to Make You a Successful Bidder
EBay: No Way?Yes Way (Ten Seller Themes)
Making Money On EBay Can Be So Simple, Just Let Somebody Else Do All The Hard Work For You
How To Cut Your eBay Fees By More Than 90%
Multiple Income Streams on eBay within 30 Minutes!
Is Selling On eBay Just A Hobby Or A Real Business?
A WIN-WIN Scenario On eBay For Buyer/Sellers: Tips For Hunting Want It Now Postings
Effective Auction Listings - How To Create Them
Maria?s New Lifestyle: Short Story About The Benefits Shopping On The Net Has Given
Start Selling On eBay - Getting Started On The Right Foot
Is The eBay Fee Increase Actually Good For Business?
Make BIG MONEY on eBay - Your Unlimited Cash Cow
When It Comes To eBay, Don?t Follow The Herd
The Effects of eBay on American Merchandising
How Professional Ebay Auction Templates Can Boost Your Ebay Sales
Is Your Trash Cash? 5 Easy Places to Sell Your Stuff
How To Increase eBay Profits
Profitable Paper Piecing on eBay -- Part 2
Drop Shipping Is Your Perfect Home Based Business Solution
7 Simple Steps To Profit Without Your Own Product
Drop-ship or U-ship: That is the Question
How To Sell On Ebay: Pricing Strategy
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
eBay is the Greatest Opportunity YOU Have to Create a Career Online
eBay's being spoken about everywhere these days. At work, school,... Read More
Four Huge Mistakes Ebay Sellers Make (Even Some Moderately Successful Ones)
No matter how many times I see it happening, I'mconstantly... Read More
Online Auctions: The New Way of Shopping for Mauritians
Since their introduction several years ago, online auctions, such as... Read More
2 Step Secret Reveals How You Can Find Wholesale Suppliers
Have you spent hours on the internet searching for a... Read More
How To Compete With Amazon.com
If you are selling online,here is the down side of... Read More
Online Auctions: 5 Ways Your Business Can Benefit From Online Auctions
Online auctions are now the new gold rush on the... Read More
Your Auction Headline Or Title - The Most Important Part Of Your Auction
The words you select to describe your item will have... Read More
How To Profit Using eBays Saved Search Feature
Did you know that eBay will help you locate products... Read More
Are You an Ebay Shopper?
As I write this article, I am keeping an eye... Read More
Mr. Rich vs. Mr. Job: How to Start a Dropship Business on eBay
Mr. Asset vs. Mr. Job....Discover the Secret Formula of the... Read More
EBay Income Possibilities
If you've ever read an article about eBay, you will... Read More
Dont Be A Victim Of Online Auction Fraud
The Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC) reported that last year... Read More
What Ebay Can Teach Us About Success
I flew back to New York from Atlanta a few... Read More
Online Auction Sellers - Seize Control Of Your Business!
As the online auction model of business continues to evolve... Read More
USP on eBay
If you have dabbled at all in the world of... Read More
Buying At Auction: 6 Hints to Make You a Successful Bidder
Buying at auction, be it for stamps or coins, antiques... Read More
8 Top Tips For Successful Art Auction Listings
Why is it that some artists seem to make easy... Read More
The Quickest Way To Have A Product To Sell On The Internet
Creating a product from scratch that you can sell on... Read More
Authentic or Fake?
1. Admit It: Old business models are no longer working.... Read More
eBay Motors : Buy or Sell a Car on eBay
Are you having trouble finding a great deal on a... Read More
Four Reasons Why You Should NEVER Use Animations In Your eBay Auctions
Inexperienced auction sellers, or those lacking in confidence, often want... Read More
Why Its a BAD Idea To Promote Hot Selling Products on eBay
Do a quick search on Google, Yahoo, or your favorite... Read More
Nine Simple eBay Selling Hints
Some of these eBay hints will save you money, others... Read More
The Webs Best Online Auction Sites
The best online auction links for buyers and sellers are... Read More
Joint Venture For eBay Success Too!
Whether you're succeeding in your online auction attempts, just getting... Read More
Online Auction |