# Ebay Scam? What would you do? (LONG) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 23, 2002, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-scam-what-would-you-do-long/125306 "2002-08-23T22:36:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2002, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-scam-what-would-you-do-long/125306/1 "2002-08-23T22:36:31Z")
A few weeks back I ordered an item off of EBay and paid for it via PayPal. I did not receive the item but yesterday I received the following email: > [@](#): > > Hello, > > If this email doesn’t pertain to you or you have already gotten your order, please disregard this. > > Forgive me for sending an email this way but it’s the only way I know to reach everyone and still be able to get my own things done. I don’t know if this the way to handle things but I don’t know of any other way right now. I’m sending this as a general mailing to all those who have paid to my Paypal account for their orders from auctions run by ebay user gimaqtpi. Many of you have emailed me expressing concerns about whether you will get your products or not and I can certainly understand that. > > I’ve been taking payments to my Paypal account as a favor to [Friend’s Name], who ran the auctions. She has had some family problems and is currently in California for a funeral. She is expected back on Friday and will do her best to catch up on all the orders which have not shipped. > > Several of you have prematurely entered complaints with Paypal. If any of you were thinking of doing this also, I’m going to tell you that it isn’t in your best interest to do it. I don’t have tracking numbers to give them to end the complaint and the money isn’t in the account to return to you. I know that [Friend’s Name] has already ordered your merchandise. If they close down my account we will both be out the money. In case you didn’t know it, once Paypal closes your account, it’s next to impossible to access whatever you have in there for a really, really, really long time. I’ve seen it happen several times. Not to me, thank goodness, and I don’t want it to! > > If anyone really feels like they want to lodge a complaint with someone, I’d like to encourage you to go to Square Trade. The service is free and they give both the buyer and the seller a chance to work out their differences in a more flexible way. The url is: > > [http://www.squaretrade.com/cnt/jsp/index.jsp](http://www.squaretrade.com/cnt/jsp/index.jsp) > > I’m sorry that I can’t do more for you at this time, but hopefully everything will work itself out by the early part of next week. I’m a very reasonable person and I will do everything I can to help you with this but until [Friend’s Name] gets back I can’t do a single thing since the things she ordered are in Montana and I’m here in Texas. Please feel free to email me if you want to but I may not be able to get back to you for awhile as I’ve become very far behind with my own business while I’ve been trying to handle things for [Friend’s Name]. > > Best Regards, [Person’s Name] This made me VERY suspicious, since last week I was told that I would get a shipment by September or I could get my money back and I said as much: > [@](#): > > I have to confess that rather than reassure me, your email has made me quite suspicious. Rather than preventing me from complaining to Ebay and Paypal, you have encouraged me to do so. This matter of taking money for a friend seems rather suspicious. The fact that the money is “no longer available” makes me question the entire operation. The last correspondance that I received regarding this matter said that I would receive my merchandise by September or the money could be returned to me at my request. I am sending that request now. Please return my money, the entire 22.95 that I have paid. Please do so by August 26th or I will take action via EBay and Paypal. It is unfortunate that your friend has left you hanging, but this is not my problem. My problem is that YOU have accepted my money and have not provided me with service. I will wait until August 26th and if I have not received my money, I will contact EBay and Paypal. > [My Name] Today I received this email: > [@](#): > > I’m sorry that I have distressed you. The reason that the money isn’t available is because it was used to order more comforters! I know this because I was the one to order them. If [Friend’s Name] has already said that you would receive your order by September then you will. The problem for me was that I was getting so many emails for her auctions that I wasn’t able to attend to my own business. And I have no way of knowing who she contacted and who she hasn’t. It’s my policy to return emails as soon as possible and I didn’t think people would take kindly to not having their email responded to for 4 or 5 days while [Friend’s Name] was at the funeral. > > You know, it’s such a shame that in trying to be honest I have made you more suspicious. Most people in my situation wouldn’t have even bothered. I’m just a single mom trying to raise 4 kids and making an effort to earn an income in an area that allows me to stay home with them until they are older. Don’t believe me? Want a picture? Want my phone number? Better yet, send me your phone number and I will call you. We can chat and maybe you will see what kind of person I am. Maybe not. > > I would be happy to return your money. But what bothers me is that you have questioned my integrity. That’s more important to me than the $22.95 you want me to return to you. I confess that this has made me MORE suspicious. Perhaps I am too much the cynic, but the pull at the heart strings with the “single mom with 4 kids” makes me feel like I’m a chump. So dopers, am I being too harsh or should I take action? ---
**Author:** ![Some\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Some\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Some_Guy)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2002, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-scam-what-would-you-do-long/125306/2 "2002-08-23T23:20:23Z")
You’re not being too harsh. You should take action. ---
**Author:** ![jmpride62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@jmpride62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jmpride62)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-scam-what-would-you-do-long/125306/3 "2002-08-24T00:16:55Z")
Call me a cynic also, but it sounds like someone is just buying time so that they can abscond with as much money as possible. The person who wrote the emails definitely seems to be trying to engender as much sympathy as possible. She, a single mom with four kids, was just doing a favor for a “friend” who is at a funeral, and she tries to put you on the offensive with claims that you are challenging her honesty. Why the “friend” could not open his or her own paypal account is beyond me. Even if it is all true, it is certainly is no way to run a business so I think you are definitely justified in making a complaint. ---
**Author:** ![jmpride62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@jmpride62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jmpride62)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-scam-what-would-you-do-long/125306/4 "2002-08-24T00:28:12Z")
“offensive” should have been “defensive” :smack: ---
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-scam-what-would-you-do-long/125306/5 "2002-08-24T00:29:56Z")
Wait- they sold an item that they hadn’t even ORDRED yet? Is that, in and of itself, allowed? Bizzaro. I’d complain. That’s like me selling a CD on E-bay that I don’t own, then ordering it or buying it after the payment is received. Not very smart business, especially if an emergency comes up or the item is no longer available. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Frink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Mr.Frink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Frink)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-scam-what-would-you-do-long/125306/6 "2002-08-24T03:36:21Z")
Yeah…it’s all very strange, and I don’t blame you for being suspicious. But…didn’t the e-mail say that your goods would arrive “by September”? I know that it’s getting close…but it still seems as though the time you both agreed on hasn’t arrived yet. Maybe you’re jumping the gun a bit? ---
**Author:** ![Gozu\_Tashoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7993a0/32.png) [@Gozu\_Tashoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu_Tashoya)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-scam-what-would-you-do-long/125306/7 "2002-08-24T04:01:29Z")
Honestly, it doesn’t sound all that bad to me. Regarding the “shipping before ordering” thing, a lot of eBayers (especially, I would assume, the “Power Sellers”) buy things from wholesalers. A lot of wholesalers drop ship, meaning they send the products directly to you, with the actual seller never setting eyes on the product. Regarding the rest of it, well, you asked for your money back. Wait until you get the excuses as to why the money _can’t_ be refunded before you start raising hell. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-scam-what-would-you-do-long/125306/8 "2002-08-24T04:34:58Z")
Look on it as as a 23.00 education. You could have been scammed much worse. Out of curiosity what kind of decent comforter can you buy for 23.00? I thought good ones were lots more expensive than that. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-scam-what-would-you-do-long/125306/9 "2002-08-24T05:42:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mr. Frink \* > \*\*Yeah…it’s all very strange, and I don’t blame you for being suspicious. > > But…didn’t the e-mail say that your goods would arrive “by September”? I know that it’s getting close…but it still seems as though the time you both agreed on hasn’t arrived yet. Maybe you’re jumping the gun a bit? \*\* A week ago, when I enquired, I was told by september. THEN I got the email outlined above. That is why it seemed suspicious to me. The original sale took place 3 weeks ago and it was my understanding that shipment would take place right away. After waiting patiently, I enquired and was told “in september.” This was not agreed upon, it was a statement. I was also told that if I wanted my money back, it would be returned to me. When I received the suspicous email, I requested my money back. This was offered to me AND is my right as a consumer. And now I’m told that the funds are not available… ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-scam-what-would-you-do-long/125306/10 "2002-08-24T05:51:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by astro \* > \*\*Look on it as as a 23.00 education. You could have been scammed much worse. Out of curiosity what kind of decent comforter can you buy for 23.00? I thought good ones were lots more expensive than that. \*\* Truthfully, the money will not change the quality of my life. I spent more on beer tonight. However, I did NOT buy a comforter. I purchased the FlatHose and I expect it to be delivered. As far as an education goes, I don’t see it. Are you saying that no one should buy from EBay? Are you suggesting that all of the people who sell on EBay are ALL scam artists? Believe me, if I had given my bank account number to a South African who needed a way to move money then THAT would have been an education. However, when purchasing goods from a valid and respected business model, one can reasonably expect that the goods will be delivered. If this were not the case, EBay could not and would not thrive. If you are not saying that, then what lesson DO you think I should take from this? ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-scam-what-would-you-do-long/125306/11 "2002-08-24T05:53:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KKBattousai \* > \*\*Regarding the rest of it, well, you asked for your money back. Wait until you get the excuses as to why the money _can’t_ be refunded before you start raising hell. \*\* Fair enough. I offered to wait untill the 26th and will do so. I’ll be surprised if I get my money back, but none-the-less, I will keep my word. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-scam-what-would-you-do-long/125306/12 "2002-08-24T05:58:51Z")
err on the side of caution whenever dealing with EBay. I bought a book from a powerseller that had incredible 5 star ratings. I, as you, was strung along for as long as he could. What finally did it for me is I looked at his recent feedback (he was screwing everybody) and I saw that he was still selling HUNDREDS of items. The quicker you raise a stink, the sooner he/she gets banned. the less headaches for everyone. SquareTrade _is_ the recommended resolution provider on EBay, but my scam artist used that to buy time and get more money. His account was frozen due to a sudden concurrent string of complaints, but he did abscond with a nice chunk of money. If his account is frozen, he can’t leave nasty feedback, and EBay is more understanding about removing offending feedbacks (yet, still look forward to a headache) A good neighbor policy would be to report the scum. ---
**Author:** ![Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Violet)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-scam-what-would-you-do-long/125306/13 "2002-08-24T06:01:11Z")
> [@](#): > > A few weeks back I’d be complaining. I had a somewhat similar experience. You re-read the ebay ad & see what they say about shipment. (Better yet, before bidding ask the seller about shipment terms.) I complained to PayPal once and received a refund. **Khadaji** , time is money, and you already wasted time with that back-and-forth email. I think you should take action. ---
**Author:** ![Batsinma\_Belfry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@Batsinma\_Belfry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batsinma_Belfry)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-scam-what-would-you-do-long/125306/14 "2002-08-24T06:47:10Z")
That seller is “no longer registered”. So, the chances of you getting the item or your money back are slim. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-scam-what-would-you-do-long/125306/15 "2002-08-24T15:56:44Z")
With ebay, its better for me if you give me the item number, so I can check on it. If you want you money back: Paypal lets you do charge backs within a certain time limit I believe. Better read up at paypal… or talk to your bank or credit card comp about refusing the payment, if it went through the card. Otherwise, it seems you are below their insurance limit of a $25 deductible? ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2002, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-scam-what-would-you-do-long/125306/16 "2002-08-26T20:01:11Z")
Well, I did it. I reported her to PayPal. And a few hours later I got my money back. Kudos to PayPal for their efficiency.