Serious Ebay Problem--Need Your Help!

jzerot1437

CAG Veteran
Okay, on the 29th I won a camera on Ebay and paid for it that night. After receiving no responses to my requests for a shipping update for three days, I was refunded by the guy, who said that the paypal account I had sent it to was a joint account he was trying to close, and to please send it to another address. He sent another bill and charged double the shipping (this might have been a mistake, but I wouldn't know.) I requested another invoice, received one through Ebay, and paid it (with appropriate shipping costs this time). This payment went to the same account that the guy was "trying to close". This occurred on on May 4th.

I've messaged him five or more times since then requesting an update on shipping and received nothing. Further, I tried messaging him on AOL Instant Messenger (his "new" paypal email was an AOL address), and the phone number that he listed in the camera listing is a dud. I've received no camera, no messages, no refund, and can't get ahold of him. About the only thing I know for sure about this guy is his mailing address, which was listed in the listing (he lives about 3 hours from where I live.)

Where do I go from here? If I file a Paypal complaint, will that get me a refund, or do I need to contact my bank? Is there anything else I can do? Is there a way to keep him from leaving negative feedback after I (obviously) leave him some?

Anybody got any advice?
 
you can get the user contact info directly from ebay... did that once when i was sent the wrong item.. and the seller refused to reply to me. So ebay sent me thier home phone and address. (looks like you might already have that)

Then escalate with paypal, you don't need to contanct your bank.
 
Paypal had me immediately escalate the problem to a dispute. I also emailed Ebay about it. Posted on their security forums about it too--people are speculating that his account was hijacked.

Regardless, the paypal rep said that if they haven't heard from the seller within 10 days, I should receive a refund. Sounds like a good deal to me.
 
AFAIK PayPal only gives you the refund if the seller account has funds in it to cover the amount. Once a dispute is put in PayPal freezes the money but if it was cleared out prior to the dispute PayPal might leave you holding the bag. Just FYI.

If that happens then you'd want to contact your bank. I guess that means you paid with a transfer from a checking account and not a credit card?
 
[quote name='Michaellvortega']Go pound on his door if he only lives 3 hours away.[/QUOTE]

With Gas Prices as high as they are it wouldn't be worth the OP to go there and get KO'ed by a stranger who just took his monies.
 
[quote name='wubb']AFAIK PayPal only gives you the refund if the seller account has funds in it to cover the amount. Once a dispute is put in PayPal freezes the money but if it was cleared out prior to the dispute PayPal might leave you holding the bag. Just FYI.

If that happens then you'd want to contact your bank. I guess that means you paid with a transfer from a checking account and not a credit card?[/quote]

The first time I paid, it was using the debit card associated with my checking. The second time I paid, it was using the refunded paypal funds, so it was from paypal funds.
 
[quote name='pimpinc333']With Gas Prices as high as they are it wouldn't be worth the OP to go there and get KO'ed by a stranger who just took his monies.[/quote]


If the OP gets 3 friends to ride there with him. The cost of that gas could be offset by the satisfaction of seeing the look on the sellers face when he opens the door. ;)
 
[quote name='Puffa469']If the OP gets 3 friends to ride there with him. The cost of that gas could be offset by the satisfaction of seeing the look on the sellers face when he opens the door. ;)[/quote]

The creepy thing is that I've actually already had this thought.
 
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