Buyer admits to ripping me off in e-mail, now what?

gmzone

gmzone

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"hey bitch. i stole game from you. hahahaha" was the e-mail I recieved from a user with 0 feedback. He bought the game back in March, and paid, then did a chargeback. Then when I couldn't find the tracking # for it, paypal basically told to me to go screw myself. He was UNCONFIRMED anyway, so don't even think that would help the matter.

My question to all of you is what recourse, if any, do I have?
Can I forward the e-mail to paypal, ebay?

I had let it go. I've been ripped off twice already, and I let it go. I didn't even leave feedback yet, because I know it would be emotions talking.
I'm out the price of the game, the actual game, and the listing fees. But, this guy pours salt on my wounds, and I don't want to let him get away with this. He will do this to others.

If anyone wants his username, so you can block him from bidding on your auctions, pm me.
 
You should definitely contact ebay, paypal, and probably his local police. Don't let the asshole get away with it.
 
That's what I'm worried about. If he gets away with this, that he will see how easy it is, and do it again and again, and possibly for more money next time, or to a seller whose only income comes from selling on ebay.

As for shipping address, it's a P.O. Box in Georgia.
 
You're screwed. Paypal will tell you to go shaq-fu yourself and so will ebay. I hate it when that happens...
 
I am somewhat a newbie to selling things on ebay. I've bought stuff off of ebay but that's about it. Don't you reserve the right to not sell to anyone who has X amount of feedback and user ( X =< 10 or so). I would of never of sold to a guy with a P.O box, 0 feedback, and an unconfirmed paypal address. That's like 3 strikes against the guy.
 
Doesn't this constitute mail fraud? I would think that's a federal crime. OK, tel us at least the email address is not a gmail/yahoo/other free webmail address?
 
I had a bad feeling about it. Next time I'll listen to my gut. Problem is, I've had plenty of people with 0 feedback or low feedback and unconfirmed addresses pay for items with no problems. I've also had a person with 120 feedback (who is now suspended), do a chargeback (same thing this guy did). To me feedback doesn't mean a whole lot. I've had good and bad experiences with people of varying degrees of feedback.

A) If I put doesn't ship to P.O. Boxes, will the buyers listen? They didn't listen when I told them I don't accept Credit Cards.

B) If I stopped selling to unconfirmed paypal users, I wonder if it matters, given the fact that paypal seems just as willing to do chargebacks on confirmed addresses, and it would hurt sales.
 
[quote name='eldad9']Doesn't this constitute mail fraud? I would think that's a federal crime. OK, tel us at least the email address is not a gmail/yahoo/other free webmail address?[/QUOTE]

It's an AOL Account!!
 
You are probably SOL. as far as Paypal is concerned. With no confrimed address, there is nothing you can do, even with a tracking number. Paypal does not give a shit, they have their money.
If the item was below $50 the local police willl probably do nothing ether, they are too busy chasing bigger crooks. Of course it is good to inform the police, as this buyer MIGHT already have a record. But you still. will not get your money back.
You might be able to inform the Post office where the buyer PO box is located, they might take it away from the buyer?

I wish I could offer some good news, but I have none. PayPal sucks.

Some advice for future auctions:

Don't accept bids from 0 feedback bidders, unless they email you for approval. There are TONS of bidders on bay, let someone else take the risk first.

Don't accept credit cards with Paypal, ever. Sellers have virtually no protection against chargebacks using Paypal. Plus their fees are totally high.
 
I don't think there is even a way to make it so bidders of 'x'amount of feedback can't bid. Problem arives that if you type such things in your auction, and a winner with like 3 feedback wins, what are you gonna do, say you can't buy it? They will just neg you back.
 
So to cover your bases, you should only accept confirmed Paypal accounts? As in the ones that people draw money from their banking accounts as opposed to credit cards right?

For the original poster, submit the douchebag's e-mail address to freebie offers, porn spam (of the same sex) and any mailing list you can think of. If it were me, I'd go as fas as to send a monthly print out of the goatse-man concealed in a birthday card or something.
 
[quote name='gizmogc']I don't think there is even a way to make it so bidders of 'x'amount of feedback can't bid. Problem arives that if you type such things in your auction, and a winner with like 3 feedback wins, what are you gonna do, say you can't buy it? They will just neg you back.[/QUOTE]

The only thing I've been able to do is ask users with x feedback to contact me before they bid and if they don't I cancel their bids and block them from my auctions.
 
[quote name='gmzone']It's an AOL Account!![/QUOTE]

That could be bad or good... if it's a paying account, AOL will have the guy's details on file. If not... probably a dead end.

I really am not sure what the right procedure is - that is, who to get involved. With an address, whoever lives closest could bet the guy up, but that doesn't work for a p.o. box.
 
Reveal his e-mail address to the masses here as to enable us to berate him. This individual is an ass, and I'd relish the opportunity to inform him.

Or, should you find this to be an immature course of action, be sure that you, yourself, establish what a detrement to society he is.

If at all possible, make sure that you will soon be able to say "Hey bitch, I stole clean criminal record from you".
 
[quote name='theq87']Reveal his e-mail address to the masses here as to enable us to berate him. This individual is an ass, and I'd relish the opportunity to inform him.

Or, should you find this to be an immature course of action, be sure that you, yourself, establish what a detrement to society he is.

If at all possible, make sure that you will soon be able to say "Hey bitch, I stole clean criminal record from you".[/QUOTE]

It is possible that he used that e-mail address only for that transaction with the OP. He probably won't use it ever again.
 
[quote name='gmzone']"hey bitch. i stole game from you. hahahaha" was the e-mail I recieved from a user with 0 feedback. He bought the game back in March, and paid, then did a chargeback. Then when I couldn't find the tracking # for it, paypal basically told to me to go screw myself. He was UNCONFIRMED anyway, so don't even think that would help the matter.

My question to all of you is what recourse, if any, do I have?
Can I forward the e-mail to paypal, ebay?

I had let it go. I've been ripped off twice already, and I let it go. I didn't even leave feedback yet, because I know it would be emotions talking.
I'm out the price of the game, the actual game, and the listing fees. But, this guy pours salt on my wounds, and I don't want to let him get away with this. He will do this to others.

If anyone wants his username, so you can block him from bidding on your auctions, pm me.[/QUOTE]

You are hosed...sorry, but its true. Unless you have some tracking number to prove that it was delivered, Paypal will never give you your money back. The same think happened to me when I was running my eBay store. Some asshole did the same thing. Paypal froze the money in my account and then later removed it since I didn't have proof of delivery. The stupid asshole even left me positive feedback for the transaction and Paypal/eBay didn't care. They told me that it was my fault that I didn't buy the stupid sellers protection.

I closed my account the next day. I ended up opening another one later, but you can bet that I will never sign confirm a bank account. No chance I am going to lets those assholes at Paypal anywhere near a bank account again.

Now, when I sell, I charge the buyer, shipping, handling, Paypal fees and make them pay for the seller's protection....just in case. I don't sell too much anymore, but losing $40 in cash and product pissed me off.

I hope you have better luck than I did, but don't expect any help from the pricks at Paypal.

Sorry, but I am still a little bitter.

Oh yeah, I would also only take Paypal if it is not a credit card transaction....that should help some too. Sorry if this repeats some of the other comments, but I wrote before I read the rest.

TBW
 
[quote name='eldad9']That could be bad or good... if it's a paying account, AOL will have the guy's details on file. If not... probably a dead end.

I really am not sure what the right procedure is - that is, who to get involved. With an address, whoever lives closest could bet the guy up, but that doesn't work for a p.o. box.[/QUOTE]
If it's not the Main account e-mail, it's still bonded to the Master Screenname that has the billing info. Though I doubt you will be able to get the guy's info unless you have a subpoena. My best advice would be to file a claim with small claims court. If they do not respond to the court order for xx days, you win by default and can claim damages. Good luck collecting the judgement though
 
[quote name='Socheata']It is possible that he used that e-mail address only for that transaction with the OP. He probably won't use it ever again.[/QUOTE]

Extremely valid point!
 
you can change your settings on ebay to not accept bidders if they have 2 non paying bidder strikes. a negative feedback score and some other things. go to your ebay screen then click on help, type in blocking bidders, and follow instructions. if i was you i would call ebay and they will email you a form fill it out and email it back to trust and safety and if you have the email you can cut and paste to the form. i did this before and they suspended the buyer. good luck!
 
OP, you should at least try to report him to anything and everything you possibly can. You have that email as proof that he purposely ripped you off. There's got to be some protection there for you somewhere. If nothing happens of it, then at least you tried. Worst thing is that you're just in the same position as you are in now. It really sucks that there are people out there like that, but shit happens. Do the best you can to get this guy.
 
Yep, you're screwed on paypal. They've righteously screwed us a couple times before we shipped with Endicia and cheaper delivery confirmation, but you still can't get that for international, and a lot of our biz is Canada.

I second going to the cops. At bare minimum they can file a suspicious activity report so it's on file. Not sure if it will be legit, but you can request his info from ebay, and they send an email to both of you, presto you have his # and real address. Sometimes arrogant crooks are stupid, and tell the truth on their info. Ask your p.o. if anything can be done, after showing them the email.

I like the small claims court idea. Let us know if you end up on Judge Judy!
 
[quote name='zionoverfire']The only thing I've been able to do is ask users with x feedback to contact me before they bid and if they don't I cancel their bids and block them from my auctions.[/QUOTE]

what does that do? They can still scam you if they contact you...
 
[quote name='gmzone']"hey bitch. i stole game from you. hahahaha" was the e-mail I recieved from a user with 0 feedback. He bought the game back in March, and paid, then did a chargeback. Then when I couldn't find the tracking # for it, paypal basically told to me to go screw myself. He was UNCONFIRMED anyway, so don't even think that would help the matter.

My question to all of you is what recourse, if any, do I have?
Can I forward the e-mail to paypal, ebay?

I had let it go. I've been ripped off twice already, and I let it go. I didn't even leave feedback yet, because I know it would be emotions talking.
I'm out the price of the game, the actual game, and the listing fees. But, this guy pours salt on my wounds, and I don't want to let him get away with this. He will do this to others.


That is why I will ONLY accept money orders. If they can't send one, well to bad. Maybe you should do the same.
 
[quote name='SkyGheNe']what does that do? They can still scam you if they contact you...[/QUOTE]

Most of the scammers don't put that much effort into things, with personal contact they increase the odds of letting something slip. Besides it's pretty much all eaby allows you to do, if I could block everyone without feedback I would.
 
[quote name='gdw3877']
That is why I will ONLY accept money orders. If they can't send one, well to bad. Maybe you should do the same.[/QUOTE]

You can still get screwed with a bad MO.
 
[quote name='Socheata']It is possible that he used that e-mail address only for that transaction with the OP. He probably won't use it ever again.[/QUOTE]

[quote name='theq87']Extremely valid point![/QUOTE]

AOL can still track the guy down. They maintain a list of past screennames for each account. Even after you delete a screenname there is a recover screenname option that appears in your MASTER SCREEN NAME ACCOUNT. I believe it can go as far back as 6 months -- so act fast!

Don't let him get away with it!
 
[quote name='DT778']How?[/QUOTE]

Fakes or simply Western Union MOs that were paid for with fradulent funds. There is a reason Western Union tells people not to pay for ebay auctions with MOs.

The Nigerian ebay scams are classic examples of this, you'll get an MO but weeks later it will turn out to be fake.
 
i put that i only accept postal money orders, and i then cash it at the post office before i ship anything out, so if theres a problem its addressed right then and there since the info is in their system.

if anyone sends me a check or a non-postal MO i send it right back to them, ive got burned many a times on bad checks.

i still accept paypal though, i actully havent had a problem with them at all, and i hope it stays that way
 
Thanks for the information everyone. I got the information from ebay's user info request. Full name, but no street address and a phone #, which may or may not be working. I should call him right now(it's late), but I'll wait.

It's ashame that a few bad apples ruin it for the rest. But, unless ebay or paypal do something about this in the future, it will only get worse for buyers and sellers who are victims.

On a semi-related note, how are Yahoo auctions? Anyone use them? I've only heard BAD THINGS about them...
 
[quote name='gmzone']Thanks for the information everyone. I got the information from ebay's user info request. Full name, but no street address and a phone #, which may or may not be working. I should call him right now(it's late), but I'll wait.

It's ashame that a few bad apples ruin it for the rest. But, unless ebay or paypal do something about this in the future, it will only get worse for buyers and sellers who are victims.

On a semi-related note, how are Yahoo auctions? Anyone use them? I've only heard BAD THINGS about them...[/QUOTE]

Avoid Yahoo if you are selling in the US. There are some country where yahoo auction is more popluar than ebay, but it won't matter unless you are shipping to those place.
 
I'm amazed nobody suggested you post the phone number...

I would call him. If he answers, act like you're someone else and don't let on that you're gathering information or that the call has anything to do with Ebay. Just stay on the phone long enough to make sure it's really him and not just some number he made up.

If it's him, alert the cops in his area and let them track the guy down. If they won't do anything about it, I would sure be surprised if nobody suggests that you post his phone number...
 
Also,

For those of us wondering if he might keep doing this over and over again - one thing I can say for sure, if someone pulls this too many time it's going to raise some red flags eventually. It's not like you can just file for payment reversals over and over and nobody will ever notice...
 
i never send to a po box. i got someone right now with a low feedback trying to get me to take a money order off them and i told them right in the email it says PAYPAL ONLY and they are giving me a run around about how paypal wont take their CC or checks ,.... I emailed them back and said well im not sending the game and since you didnt read the auction what said PAYPAL Only
 
I just switched my Paypal Account to automatically reject payments from people who don't have a confirmed account. Luckily, I haven't been burned yet, or to the best of my knowledge anyways. *Crosses fingers*

Best of luck, OP!
 
[quote name='slidecage']i never send to a po box. i got someone right now with a low feedback trying to get me to take a money order off them and i told them right in the email it says PAYPAL ONLY and they are giving me a run around about how paypal wont take their CC or checks ,.... I emailed them back and said well im not sending the game and since you didnt read the auction what said PAYPAL Only[/QUOTE]

Can't you wait and cash the money order before sending out the game? I don't do an immediate send if I receive MO anymore after so much fraud has been reported. =/
 
[quote name='bluekeith75']you can change your settings on ebay to not accept bidders if they have 2 non paying bidder strikes. a negative feedback score and some other things. go to your ebay screen then click on help, type in blocking bidders, and follow instructions. if i was you i would call ebay and they will email you a form fill it out and email it back to trust and safety and if you have the email you can cut and paste to the form. i did this before and they suspended the buyer. good luck![/QUOTE]

Thanks for the tip. I didn't know you could do that.
 
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