Another Ebay scam - me? Help

[Motley_Rocker1]

Hey guys-

As most of you know I'm an effects guy always trying new things and try to learn something new. I've always wanted a BOSS GT-8. That said, I went on Ebay looking for one. I found one that was in excellent condition for $274.99 and immediately contacted the seller and asked him if he accepted money orders, because I don't have Paypal. He said money order was fine. So on April 17 (friday) I hit the "Buy It Now" button and that same day before I went to work purchased the money order for $294.99 and sent it priority mail. He got the money order Monday the 21st and and then I asked him how fast can he ship the unit? He said, "I can ship it on same day or by the next day" So I figured he cashes the money order Monday and ships Tuesday the 22nd. Then Tuesday April 22 rolls around and no ship confirmation. I sent him an Email and he replied the following:

"I should be able to ship tomorrow. My bank put a 3 day hold on the money order.
Thanks,
Rich'......... ok wait a minute

He said he would ship it on Tuesday the following day after payment cleared. Then he said he would ship it Friday when the money order cleared, that was yesterday and NOTHING from the seller, at this point I'm pretty pissed off, and I'm afraid I lost my hard earned money, guys how do I handle this? He was suppose to ship the unit yesterday and he never repied and I doubt he sent it. Help

[Unhomed]

I'm a bit more patient than most, but I would wait till Monday evening to 'push' this further. It is way to early to assume you got scammed. I'm not saying for sure you have not been, but you've not told me anything in your post that says you have been.

For arguments sake lets say this: he got the check monday, but probably did not deposit it till tuesday. The three day hold on the check is a problem caused by you because you did not pay with paypal, but the check. The fact that a bank places a hold on a check may not make much sense to you, but you must remember it takes time for the check to make it's way from his bank to your bank and it takes time for your bank to wire the money to his bank. The money is not actually 'his' till that happens. To be sure, Paypal has it's own issues, but as a buyer (not necessarily a seller) it is a great thing. Anyway, three days from Tuesday is Friday, maybe even Saturday since deposits done after 12 noon at many banks are sometimes are not credited till the next day which would have been Wednesday, three days from is Saturday. Today.

Could the seller be more communicative, absolutely. Could you be a bit more patient, absolutely . I do hope this works out for you. The Boss unit is a great one . I used one for quite a while.

[Mxzx]

I would say give it till Monday, and see if he replies. What was his feedback numbers and rating? Maybe was out of town, working, busy, etc.

Since he does have your money, the ball is pretty much in his court now. Not a whole lot you can do except wait it out.

As much as people gripe about Paypal, it does give you a little protection. When I buy on Ebay, I use Paypal and fund with a credit card. That helps to protect you in situations like this.

[Motley_Rocker1]

I know that buying on Ebay is risky but I really wanted the GT-8. His rating is %99.3 but I'm worried. Yes, Rik I know I'm a little impatient but I've done my part of getting him the money as fast as possible and he hasn't done his part on communicating with me. I've sent money orders in the past and never had this problem, usually the sellers shipped the next day after they cashed the money order in. They never gave me that story of the bank thing, so I'm skeptical, especially since he said he would mail it the day after he got the cash.

[KramerUK]

I know in the UK you can request the sellers details, and while not everyone gives ebay a legit phone number, its worth a try. Not long ago my wife was wanting a Wii so she bought one paid via PP, and then nothing from the seller for over a week, so requested his details through ebay, got his phone number called him up, sounded a bit shocked, but he got a mail from ebay saying I'd requested his details, anyway claimed he'd been in hospital, next day we get a refund saying the Wii was broken, OK never got the damned thing but amazing how swifty he resolved it

[Motley_Rocker1]

Here is the email he sent me, when I asked him why hadn't he shipped the unit. This was Thursady, he is basically jerking me left and any which way.


The money order will be cleared tomorrow. I will be shipping it tomorrow. I'm sure everything is fine.
Rich

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...:X:RTQ:US:1123

[Unhomed]

especially since he said he would mail it the day after he got the cash.

The point being that at his bank, as it is at my Credit Union too, getting and depositing a money order into an account is not the same thing as getting his 'cash', which is the wording even you specified above. I could not deposit your check today at my Credit Union and remove it immediatly as cash because it is not officially in there yet. It is certainly reasonable to assume it may not be available as 'cash' till today. You also state above that he would not ship till the day after it is 'cash', which is reasonable to assume was Friday, or is today or, if the shipping place he uses is not open Sunday, then Monday.

Patience, Grasshopper.

[Unhomed]

Here is the email he sent me, when I asked him why hadn't he shipped the unit. This was Thursady, he is basically jerking me left and any which way.


The money order will be cleared tomorrow. I will be shipping it tomorrow. I'm sure everything is fine.
Rich

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...:X:RTQ:US:1123

Nothing too evil here, or necessarily scammish.

Again I say Patience, Grasshopper. It's only the morning after the day he said he would ship it.

[Zip]

If you're still nervous Monday afternoon (if nothing's in the mail), phone him up.
From his eBay ad: "Feel free to email any questions or call my store at 715-423-5900!"

[Pacer Guy]

Do people not realize that with a USPS money order, you can go straight to the post office as soon as you receive it and they will cash it No waiting period involved at all. I realize that many people don't have the luxury of having a PO close by, so that may be some of the reasoning behind depositing into there bank account. My self, I have a PO two blocks away... I don't bother with the bank

Anyway... Give it a few more days. Should be fine

[amerturk]

If you sent your money order to the same location as listed in the ad or to the same area code...I think you'll be ok. As mentioned, it's too soon to worry. Hang in there.

[wilds_dog]

I thought Ebay didn't allow money orders or
checks as payment for auctions anymore.

[Kosmo Kramer]

I would say "settle down." It's not a good thing, but some sellers can be a bit lazy on getting the item out. That's not the same thing as being ripped off. Did he have a lot of good feedback? If so, I definitely wouldn't worry.

I bought an item online from Abalone Vintage, which requires immediate payment. I paid via Paypal immediately. They didn't mail it for 8 days! If a seller wants immediate payment, they need to have time to make quick shipment. If they "can't get to it for a few days" because of other obligations, then they shouldn't demand immediate payment. Maybe allow 48-72 hrs for payment.

[PacerMedic]

Isn't it a standard rule on eBay that contact & payment is due within 3 business days of purchase, and shipment is due within 7 business days. That means the guy has 7 days not counting weekend days to ship the merch. A rating of 99.3% is pretty good. I'd say relax, enjoy the fact that you got your BOSS for a heck of a price and give the guy time to make the shipment. He obviously gets it done; give him a break.

Private individuals do not live to ship an item at the drop of a hat like music companies do. That's why eBay came up with a reasonable time frame to conduct business. As long as he's within this time frame, he is meeting his obligation. You obviously had the opportunity to go to a shop and pay a premium to have the item in your hands instantly and chose to go this route, so live with it. You'll be okay, and you saved some dough.

[woodstock1]

.......i, too prefer money orders.......i do think that he has 30 days to ship- ebay rules....[?].....i would just wait a bit.......send him polite emails- and keep copies on your email account......in say 2 weeks, open an ebay dispute......and politely email him though the console........despite their preference for paypal, they will stand by you.........and if you do not get the item, they may give you full credit........ebay is ok about this stuff........pm me if you need easy, safe hints on how to open a paypal account- with no real risk regarding bread loss..............jim........ps- was it a postal mo......?.....

[Motley_Rocker1]

Guys still no reply fromt he seller....I would call him but I'm to pissed off and would probably go off on his lazy ass

[amerturk]

I say call him and ask what is up. Be calm and polite and ask if it's been shipped.

[bkeen]

I say wait until Wednesday and then if you haven't heard from him Lite um up!!!

[Unhomed]

I say call him and ask what is up. Be calm and polite and ask if it's been shipped.

Absolutely.

I would not 'go off on his lazy ass' since that usually ends up doing the opposite of what you want it to do. I'd give him a call and if the information he provides is not sufficient to your liking tell him, nicely, that you are going to initiate a dispute through e-bay by Wednesday if you don't recieve any tracking information that proves the item you purchased was shipped (or say something along that sort).

I do hope it works out for you, and soon.

[Motley_Rocker1]

I really hate initiating attention to myself but I'm pretty pissed off. Should I forward the issue to eBay now or keep waiting. I've sent him 2 more emails and no reply, no item.

[KramerUK]

If it was me I'd open a dispute, BTW can you trace a money order? I know that over here your postal orders can be traced when they have been deposited into a bank account, but either way call the guy up, find out as calmly as you can whats going on. hope this gets sorted

[Rick S]

Yes, get Ebay involved now. Be patient.

I really hate initiating attention to myself but I'm pretty pissed off. Should I forward the issue to eBay now or keep waiting. I've sent him 2 more emails and no reply, no item.

[Motley_Rocker1]

The seller sent me this email, Tuesday....

Q: IT'S OUT. I'LL SEND INFO TOMORROW. RICH

Its now Friday no shipping information, I want to open a dispute but what if the machine is on its way, however where is the shipping info showing me its been mailed? This is ridiculous, its' been 2 weeks and that guy sounds to me like he's jerking me around, any advice.

[Unhomed]

The seller sent me this email, Tuesday....

Q: IT'S OUT. I'LL SEND INFO TOMORROW. RICH

Its now Friday no shipping information, I want to open a dispute but what if the machine is on its way, however where is the shipping info showing me its been mailed? This is ridiculous, its' been 2 weeks and that guy sounds to me like he's jerking me around, any advice.

Open a dispute. Don't forget to mention complete lack of communication on the sellers part, and complete lack of 'follow through' on the sellers part.

If the machine ends up being on the way, then you can close the dispute. It does sound like he is jerking you around, not necessarily as a scam, but certainly his incompetence or indifference.

The dispute will get his attention for sure!

[Motley_Rocker1]

Thanks Rik! What is the best way to open a dispute call eBay or email them? I've never done it so, what process and what information do I need to have ready at hand? It's almost as if he was saying, "it's out, I'll send the info tomorrow...yea right dumbass" is what it sounds like. I have a feeling if I keep waiting it won't show up, actually I no longer desire the GT-8 I'd really like my money back all $294.99 back and go shop elsewhere.