I got ripped off for only like $7.50. I sent a money order on ebay. Seller said she never got it. So I paypalled her, and had the post office (US Postal Money Order) run a check on the money order, and refund it if it wasn't cashed. It was cashed, and they got me a copy of the signature, and the bank routing numbers from the back of the check.

I made copies and sent them to the Postal Inspectors in my city, her city, and the big man in DC, eBay, and the DA and sheriff in the local area where the seller lived. I said I didn't know who stole the money, but if they checked the routing numbers, whoever owns that bank account was probably our crook. I offered to testify in any court. I sent a copy to her, you know -because clearly her mail was getting stolen too!

To my surprise, everyone I wrote to except eBay got back to me. I imagine she contacted a lawyer or someone, because she was the first to get back to me, and she sent a check not only for my $7.50, but to the penny every bit of postage I paid in all my complaint letters. As I sent them all certified, it was like $50 total.

The DA (Assistant DA, actually) even said he'd prosecute because although it's a small amount, a crime is a crime. I told him that I was satisfied with her check, but I'd testify if he wanted. I told him the whole deal, and he said if I was happy, he'd let it go.

It was pretty cool, "Hey, LTrain, the FBI is on the phone...what have you done now?"

I hope she learned her lesson, and I'm glad I went about it through channels, because I bet that ADA would've seen me stopping by her house and whatevering as even more of a crime. Seemed like a good man.

 

That's great! (well....not the fact you had to go through that, but that she was "caught") I finally filed with the post office last week so hopefully this jerk is hoping everyone will just roll-over and get caught himself! Thanks,
Rob

 

This happens on occasion here on the HDF. Terry has posted a note at the top of the Classifieds Section warning about trusting sellers and buyers. There is no way we can determine who is a thief and who is straight up.
Sorry for your troubles.


EasternSP, AKA Ken
Classifieds Section Moderator

 

Good for you Rob, way to go.

 

I think, if 2 people really wanted to do a deal on some parts but didn't trust each other, you could set up an adoption for the sale.
How this works is, you ask a member in good standing if he will accept the parts from one party, & the payment from the other party. When he see's that the parts are as described, & he see's that the money is as promised, He than re sends the two shipments on the remainder of their trip.
If the parts are junk, or the cash/money order is bogus. The sale stops or gets returned at owners expense.
All it is, is a 3rd party neutral player like a judge.

 

On a good note. Did business with a forum member, Bigdaddy Mike for a windshield bag. He posted it, I sent him a PM with questions and he replied. I told him I would buy it and he sent me a paypal invoice and I did my part by paying him in about 3 min. We had a gentlemens agreement on this forum and the sale went through perfect. A mans word is his bond, and if a man can't stand behind his word then he's not a man to me. JMO.

 

Hatchetman, that would work, it is like an escrow. I just sold a fender here from a discussion thread, not even a classified, and everybody's happy. It's too bad that there's always a few a$$holes out there.

 

Yup, you will never see the end of the low life thiefs. they are too lazy, greedy, & self absorbed in their own little world to give a crap about anyone else. you can usually spot them in a high school photo, Their the one that has a head on them that looks like a grave diggers dink!
I can only hope that if anyone is caught ripping someone off on this forum that the mod's will lock em out!
Ride safe, Cause others dont!
Hatch.

 

I still have his PO box he lives in Florida Sante Cloudy . He said to me he is a vendor also
Plus I am going down very shortly I will be hanging out by the post office . That low life He just crossed the man that will track him down .

 

+1 for Bigdaddy Mike. Transaction went smooth, better and faster than ebay!! You do take a chance with anything online these days and Paypal seems like the only guarantee to protect yourself(somewhat).