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Community Newsletter: Q&A: I got scammed on eBay, what can I do now?
- 9/28/07 3:22 PM
Live & learn!
by YamiNoSensei - 9/15/07 9:03 AM In reply to: I got scammed on eBay, what can I do now? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Sorry Jim, but to put it unkindly you're just S.O.L. NEVER CANCEL A DISPUTE UNTIL IT'S FULLY RESOLVED, i.e. item or money are in your hand. Believing that all people are good is a wonderful thing, but... business is business. As far as tips for the future, here's the advice I give to eBay newbie family & friends: (1)Read listings CAREFULLY & make sure you understand all the terms. (2) Know how to interpret feedback ratings. For example, 98% positive may seem acceptable but is actually quite low if the total is more than 100 or so. (3) Take time to read the seller's feedback comments. Many buyers are reluctant to leave negatives or neutrals. Some unscrupulous sellers intimidate newer buyers by threatening to leave retaliatory negatives and "ruin" their rating. In these situations the buyer may give a positive but leave a comment that tells the true story. If several buyers are complaining about the same issue you'll want to buy elsewhere. (4) Be aware that high-demand items like iPods are favorites of scammers & general shysty types. (5) Any time someone gives you some improbable tale like "my friend did the shipping and didn't get tracking #s", you are never going to see the item... follow whatever dispute procedure is available to you and move on.
Better luck in the future sweetie, and don't let this sour you permanently on eBay... most of us are honest and with a little experience & research it gets pretty easy to pick out the baddies. I've been an eBayizen since 1997 and have a 1447 feedback rating... I can spot a shysty seller from the proverbial mile away.
Ipod On E-Bay
by rbcarroll - 9/15/07 9:17 AM In reply to: I got scammed on eBay, what can I do now? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have now learned that there are certain things I will not buy on e-bay. I bought an Ipod and and received it. It had a problem and I took it into an Ipod store only to learn that the insides were not Apple and I had no warranty, no Ipod, no money and a seller who did not care. The SN on the box did not match the one on the case also. I never looked at both, only the box when I registered it.
Anyway, there is probably not much you can do now. How did you pay for it? If you used a credit card does it offer any kind of buyer protection program? Most will have expired by now but it is worthwhile checking.
In the future, I would use American Express or another credit card with a buyer protection program on it to offer an additional source of mediation/recourse. Paypal doesn't like that because they have to pay the fees which are higher than taking it directly from your bank account. THey try to tell you you are safe because of the buyer protection program but if that fails you now know what happens! Sorry for your loss, welcome to the club!
eBay safety
by dhk365 - 9/15/07 9:22 AM In reply to: I got scammed on eBay, what can I do now? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Like many eBay members, I have been taken by experts but also made some good buys. In addition to modest transactions, I have bought two cars on eBay, one near-perfect transaction and one perfect one.
My rules: 1. never pay by cash. If you must use PayPal, use ONLY a credit card that guarantees you against fraud (most do). Never let PayPal nor eBay draw funds from your checking account.
2. Never respond to a second offer. They all seem to be fraudulent. I would break this rule only if I could meet with the buyer and see the product before paying (with the credit card again).
3. Never trust a good feedback record. Always assume that the seller is a fraud with friends who can pack his/her record. But never trust a bad record, either.
4. In your present situation, contact the Attorney General of the state where the seller is located. They often have ways to persuade chronic cheaters to pony up. And believe me, they know many cheaters already, maybe yours.
Be careful and you will meet many good and honest folks on eBay.
dave
too much delayed iPod
by darlene oestreich - 9/15/07 9:39 AM In reply to: I got scammed on eBay, what can I do now? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi Jim, sorry to hear about eBay not helping you at this point and they should.You also do not mention how you paid for this item. PayPal is secure in assisting you, especially if the item is not shipped and you have a credit card as part of your account. Any credit card payment, regardless of PayPal or not, allows you to do a charge back for items not received (services not rendered). Money orders are a little trickier as there is an increase in fraudulent money orders. When you are allowed only one resolution per transaction and you cancel that resolution, you still have a resolution available to you. Insist on tracked shipment and any seller who lays it off on a friend shipping them out is not a responsible seller. If you send cash, and this is NOT recommended, you send it registered requesting a signature. As the buyer, you have options to protect yourself and controlling payment and method of shipment is essential. As a seller, I send as many items trackable as the buyer is willing to pay for. If you paid for trackable/traced shipment and this was not done, the seller is also responsible and eBay should assist you here. Always check the seller's feedback, if there are any negatives, find out why; the disgruntled buyer will have stated the reason. Look for any discrepancies from previous buyers; item not exactly as described, took too long to receive, seller does not answer e-mails; are just three examples. As a seller, I insist on a buyer paying trackable/traced shipment on high-end auction wins. To me, and by the sounds of it, to you; this is a high-end auction win. Jim, do not give up. Keep contacting eBay regardless of them not having any problems with this seller before. Call the seller repeatedly, if the individual is not too far away, make an up front and personal visit. All this seller's info is available because of your transaction. Remember; you are the buyer; you control the method of payment; you control the method, kind and courier service of shipment. Darlene O.
adventures in ebaying
by cromeyeller - 9/15/07 9:50 AM In reply to: I got scammed on eBay, what can I do now? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I've found out the hard way that there are many scammers on ebay...far more than the company and media seem to want to admit to. At this point, you could try to get ebay to open up the feedback on the item again, so at least you could warn other people. Have you disputed the charge with your credit card company?
In my cases, PayPal reimbursed at least part of the money I lost, but since you closed the dispute, I guess that avenue's no longer open.
I one dispute I had, I got my credit card company to refund my money. The seller then began sending rude emails to me. When he finally sent the merchandize, I OK'd the charge with my CC company and he got paid. But he was mad because I wouldn't leave him positive feedback even after his series of rude, insulting emails. So he ended up giving me negative feedback even though he got his $$$, and now I've got that red mark against me forever, since ebay won't remove feedback.
paypal's obligation
by mightymike2 - 9/15/07 10:37 AM In reply to: I got scammed on eBay, what can I do now? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I don't really think this comes under the heading of advice about your problem with this seller or with ebay, it comes more under the heading of, Now you know.
If I understand Paypal, they are more or less an easier money transfer entity than cash or credit cards, for people or business that accept it. They only know their client's from their info and experience with them.
Two hundred is an expensive lesson but not to overly priced if you learned from it, right?
I myself have paid, I would think, many times that amount over the years and I will pay more(some things I just don't get).
Go get another iPod kick yourself in the ass once and forget about it!
Purchasing from ebay
by jemster1 - 9/15/07 10:43 AM In reply to: I got scammed on eBay, what can I do now? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have had an Ebay store for several years. The first thing you should do is look at the feedback rating. Ours is 100% positive. We have never had a problem with a sale. We have taken some hits from buyers. There are really no other sure fire protections when you purchase something from someone on Ebay. Using Paypal to pay for items is the best way to buy from any of the sellers. I will just suggest you use the old adage of "buyer beware". If you use a credit card you could file a dispute with the credit card company. Make sure you do send a feedback complaint to Ebay on the seller so that someone else may hesitate to buy from this person in the future. If that person sells on Ebay regularly it could convince him to take care of you to avoid that black mark on his future listings.
Jim G.
by jw1ls5n0129 - 9/15/07 10:50 AM In reply to: I got scammed on eBay, what can I do now? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
hello Jim , trouble with Ebay and PayPal !!! one place I keep away from is Ebay and one bank I keep away from is PayPal ,with ebay you look and see that the seller is 96% or 99% but that is because the buyer puts that the seller is OK ,if not the seller gives the buyer a bad feedback .so where do you stand? PayPal again all they want is money they could not care where it comes from but, you try and get it back .like you I tried to get my money back but to no avail. so I got my bank and told them never give PayPal any money or change my card but,about four weeks later PayPal tried to take money from my bank but, they could not and so that time was a happy ending .I wish you luck and we live and learn.Regards john.
Ebay Member Dispute
by jonepone - 9/15/07 11:33 AM In reply to: I got scammed on eBay, what can I do now? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
If you haven't already, go to Ebay Help and follow the instructions for "I have a dispute with another eBay member. What should I do?".
I did this when I did not receive my items from an Ebay member. This seller twisted everything and nothing made sense. Even though I paid quickly but never received the items, Ebay still left an impression on my record that I was the difficult one even though I eventually received my money back. It soured me on any online auction even though up to that point I had good experiences. I hope your situation works out that you at least get your money back, but I rarely buy on Ebay anymore because of it. Ebay's ratings are easy to get around by a dishonest seller who changes email accounts,etc. Maybe things have changed, but I am much more wary in the 3 years since this happened to me.
Missing iPod
by jlsquires - 9/15/07 11:47 AM In reply to: I got scammed on eBay, what can I do now? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
This is the side of eBay that troubles me. Some eBayers will sacrifice to protect their reputation and others will do very questionable things that hurt everyone including and especially themselves. Suggestion: continue to contact them periodically through the eBay messages channel. Don't threaten them, try to appeal to their good conscience. In the last 6 weeks I have had mail stolen twice. The USPS is very aware this is going on and has surveilance camers in the post offices. Get a tracking number or return receipt in the future. Accept the fact you may be defrauded in this case. Don't let it make you a cynical and bitter person - just a more cautious one!
Ebay Purchase of Ipod
by Dalesgal08 - 9/15/07 11:57 AM In reply to: I got scammed on eBay, what can I do now? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
If you paid through Paypal you should be able to get your money back. Just file a claim stating you never received your item. They will investigate and you will get your money refunded. I never buy anything on Ebay unless I pay using Paypal!!!!!!!!!
Sometime there is not much you can do.
by 2pur400 - 9/15/07 12:07 PM In reply to: I got scammed on eBay, what can I do now? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have been buy and selling on ebay for over 4 years now. Like you I have had a few bad experiences. Best advise is pay with a credit card. I have found American Express to be the best.
Here are two examples. First was the purchase of an GenSet for a little over $800. I paid with my PayPal balance. Seller claimed that he shipped the Genset and gave me a tracking number. I watched the tracking info as it made it's way from Florida to California. But it was never delivered. After several weeks sitting at the warehouse near my home, it was shipped back to the Seller. When I contacted the Seller he advised me that the package had been badly damaged by Fed Ex. I had paid for insurance and I filed a claim with FedEx, but they will only pay the shipper, not the receipant. Seller said that he would refund my money when the claim was paid. That was the last I ever heard from him. The phone number he gave me was a pawn shop in Florida and they claimed the Seller was an employee who had been fired. So as far as I know the Seller got my money, the shipper's insurance payment and kept the GenSet.
I started an PayPal investigation and they agreed that I was entitled to a refund. However, PayPal said that there were no funds in the Seller's account so they could not help me. I filed a police report in the City where the Pawn Shop was, but never heard anything back. So in that case I lost my cash.
Second example, I ordered some furniture, over $2,000. This time I used PayPal but paid with my American Express Card. The furniture was never shipped. Seller kept saying it was back ordered from the factory. I waited 30 days then started a PayPal investigation. This time PayPal never determined in my favor, just saying that they were waiting for the Seller's response. I called American Express and they were very helpful. They backed out the charge immediately pending thier investigation and when they agreed that I was right they sent me a letter saying that they were removing the charge perminately. I was out nothing.
Best defense is pay with Pay Pal but use a credit card. The credit card company will back out the charges if you do not receive the item, but they need to charge the item back to someone. In my case, Paypal was left holding the bag. Other advise is read the feed back. Do not trust a new seller, or one with very little or no feed back. Read the the negatives feed back, not the positives. Positives can be a plant. One or two percent negative would not concern me unless they were all new. Everyone makes a mistake now an again and there are some people that are impossible to please. However, if there is a splattering of negatives and they all say the same thing, watch out. Also look to see how long they have been selling items. There is a lot of phislting. A crook might get someone's account information that has 1,000 positive feedbacks with no negatives. However, most of the people who fall for phislting are buyers. Sellers tend to protect themselves better. So if all the feedback is for buying things, then be careful.
Again, best advise if pay with a credit card. Most will protect you from online fraud.
IPod
by kloker - 9/15/07 12:32 PM In reply to: I got scammed on eBay, what can I do now? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Jim, though I have bought and sold hundreds of items on eBay, I've been pretty lucky. I've never been completely stiffed on an auction item. My biggest and really only problem has been shipping damage due to poor packaging/handling, but that's another story. I have some rules that I use to restrict myself when shopping on eBay to keep me safe.
The first one is that I never buy popular or hot new types of items on eBay. Game consoles, fancy new gadgets such as high end digital cameras or stereo components, etc. But I have bought stereo components, and a few other things like that successfully.
The second rule is that I qualify any auction that I look at by carefully scrutinizing it for things that might be red flags. I look at the seller's feedback. I never buy from someone with low or no feedback, or more than a very low percentage of negatives. Is he a powerseller? Many of these folks offer a guarantee of satisfaction, no matter what, but some don't. Some ratings require it. If he has any negatives, do they appear to have been resolved? Do I get a gut feeling? If I do, I go with it.
Third rule: Read the item description and the terms very carefully. Is the item described accurately? Is it complete and does it come with everything? Is it new or used, and if used, is it guaranteed working? Does the wording of the seller's terms sound vague, fishy, or negative?
All these things can be red flags. I only need one. When I have thoroughly looked the item over, if all seems well, then I'll consider bidding. If I get the slightest feeling something might be iffy, I pass.
I also do my research on anything I want before I start looking on eBay. I want to know what it's worth, and have a firm idea of what I'm willing to pay for it. The last thing I do before I begin bidding on an item is decide what I'm willing to pay for it, and I adhere strictly to that. If it goes over my max, I'll wait and look for another one. Once I start bidding, I watch the process carefully for signs of shill bidding, or bidding wars by two or more inexperienced bidders. I pass on a lot of auctions for that reason alone, after it gets jacked up too high by a couple of newbies or shills, especially when it happens early in the bidding. Many times that's a sign of suspicious bidding. I actually got a seller busted once over shill bidding. It was blatant, and not pretty.
Finally, in your situation I would contact eBay support (on their home page there are links to a whole section on this) and look for a way to resolve this through arbitration or other means, and if all else fails file a complaint against him. eBay support has quite an extensive, though somewhat limited, number of possible ways to find solutions to these types of problems, including forums where you can ask questions and get answers from other users. Don't just give up and let it go. If you do that, you let him get away with it, and leave future buyers open to the same thing. So follow up.
I have found that most eBay sellers are honest and want satisfied customers. The relative few who are not among them can be quite difficult to deal with, and ultimately legal action may be the only recourse, but a $200 item would not be worth it. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Good luck.
Bum Deals on ebay.
by BlueJackets - 9/15/07 12:53 PM In reply to: I got scammed on eBay, what can I do now? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I had a similar problem using paypal service and not receiving the merchandise from the seller. After 3 months and not having any resolution with paypal, I called the credit card company and had them reverse the transaction. It wasn't any problem at all.
safe way to buy on ebay
by bevhart - 9/21/07 7:30 PM In reply to: Bum Deals on ebay. by BlueJacketsAlways pay with your credit card through Paypal and not your checking account. Paypal is unpredictable in the dispute resolution department, not to mention dodgy. They do not investigate claims the way your credit card will. Paypal will waste a lot of your time while your money is tied up and it is a crap shoot as to what their decision will be. Buyers often use Paypal to rip-off sellers, you never hear about that one, and vice versa. Paypal telling you they think the seller is an honest person is an indication of how unprofessional they are, this situation is not a matter of opinion. Always pay with your credit card and if you return something to a seller have tracking and require they sign for the package. Take photos of the item so they can't say you returned it broken. You can't depend on Paypal or ebay to offer you the kind of protecion your credit card does.
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