Beware - eBay scammer !
#1
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Beware - eBay scammer !
I sold a rare Erickson engine on eBay for AUD $545 "Buy It Now" on 3rd Nov. 2012. The Italian buyer eventually sent the money total of $616.80 (including AUD $71.80 for Air-Mail) but specified (pleaded !) that I declare a value of only $20 on the Customs Declaration form, thus precluding Insurance and/or Tracking. I was wary, but as he had already sent the full amount, I thought I was safe - WRONG !! About 2 weeks later he emailed me saying he did not receive the package. I emailed back saying that 2 weeks was not enough, so after about 4 weeks I received notification from eBay that a case had been filed against me for non-arrival of the item in question. I sent a scan of the receipt I received from the local Post Office when the item was posted (showing the cost of $71.80) but this was not acceptable to eBay, who have now advised me that they have found in favour of the Italian buyer, and refunded his money in full. They demanded that I provide proof that the buyer actually received the item, which of course, is impossible. All this now means that I have lost my $545 item + $71.80 for shipping, whilst the "buyer" not only gets his money back in full, but my item as well. To add insult to injury, I am prevented from leaving negative feedback for this buyer, so I cannot warn other sellers of his illegal activities. Sadly it seems that the onus is on the seller to prove that the item WAS received, rather than the buyer having to prove he never got it. My eBay record is 100% perfect over 10 years and 909 transactions, whilst my Italian friend has 9 transactions since he joined eBay on 28th August 2012. He has no record of being interested in the type of item he purchased (an Erickson,a rare and unique model engine) but rather, he has purchased a few cheap items such as men's razors simply to "get some runs on the board". The policy of eBay is very much in favour of the buyer, however dishonest he may be, and the seller has practically no rights at all.
The buyers eBay name is - mingmongo12
The engine's Serial # is FE1200365 Please contact me (Bob Allan - 7enya7) if you see this engine advertised anywhere.
The buyers eBay name is - mingmongo12
The engine's Serial # is FE1200365 Please contact me (Bob Allan - 7enya7) if you see this engine advertised anywhere.
#4
RE: Beware - eBay scammer !
There are certain countries of which I will not do business with. Italy is one of them. For some odd reason a lot of stuff gets stolen before it ever reaches the recipient. But they can ship stuff out of Italy no problem. But stuff seems to always go poof going into the country though.
Sorry about your loss. I would have insured it for the whole amount myself.
Sorry about your loss. I would have insured it for the whole amount myself.
#5
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RE: Beware - eBay scammer !
Words fail me.
Actually, they do not.
Self-respect and respect for forum frequenters prevent me using the language suitable to describe the parasite.
I feel for you. Talk about a system stacked against a Seller. The cost to insure / track to Italy would have been horrific.
I was just charged $17.50 for shipping an engine instruction sheet from the US - via *bay. Cost of tracking and delivery validation for a couple of sheets of A4 paper. Now I understand why.
Actually, they do not.
Self-respect and respect for forum frequenters prevent me using the language suitable to describe the parasite.
I feel for you. Talk about a system stacked against a Seller. The cost to insure / track to Italy would have been horrific.
I was just charged $17.50 for shipping an engine instruction sheet from the US - via *bay. Cost of tracking and delivery validation for a couple of sheets of A4 paper. Now I understand why.
#6
RE: Beware - eBay scammer !
A number of years ago, I had a temporary job in Italy, We setup five servers here in the USA, and then shipped them to Italy. They languished in customs until someone greased the wheels or something. Mysteriously two servers disappeared between customs and our office in Rome where we were waiting for delivery. The machines were insured and everything too. We had a lot of stuff disappear while I was over there too.
I did like Italy a lot while I was over there, but stuff just seems to happen over there.
I did like Italy a lot while I was over there, but stuff just seems to happen over there.
#7
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RE: Beware - eBay scammer !
I have purchased many items through eBay. I did find it very strange when they changed their policy about feedback. There are good buyers and sellers, but there are also BAD ones. They should change back to a more level playing field. I think " fiery " nailed it with " parasite ". How does eBay protect the Seller???. Isn't it the seller that eBay profits from? Now i'm getting wound up.
#8
RE: Beware - eBay scammer !
I've sold and bought a lot of stuff on E-bay and I have several rules. Idon't no ship out side the lower 48. I don't sell to anyone will less than a 100% feedback score. ( I will make an exception with some that have a 99.6 % if I like their feedback entries.) I don't ship until payment is received and I insure for the full amount.
Fortunately, I've had no problems.
Sorry for your misfortune. I know it must get you right in the gut.
Frank
Fortunately, I've had no problems.
Sorry for your misfortune. I know it must get you right in the gut.
Frank
#11
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RE: Beware - eBay scammer !
Just an update on this mess - when eBay found in favour of my Italian friend, they immediately deducted the little over $300 that was in my PayPal account at the time. However, as the total amount I have to pay is over $600, I have a negative PayPal balance of US $326.62. PayPal sent me the following message today -
"It’s very important that you add money to your balance to address this urgently. Restoring your balance allows you to use PayPal again and avoid collections actions. If you do not repay the amount owed it may be passed to a Collections Agency, which could affect your credit rating. (If you’ve already repaid your negative balance please disregard this message.)"
What should I do ? BOB
"It’s very important that you add money to your balance to address this urgently. Restoring your balance allows you to use PayPal again and avoid collections actions. If you do not repay the amount owed it may be passed to a Collections Agency, which could affect your credit rating. (If you’ve already repaid your negative balance please disregard this message.)"
What should I do ? BOB
#12
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RE: Beware - eBay scammer !
Reading through the posted buyers and sellers eBay Buyers Protection policies,it looks like your stuck/screwed when you did not state the actual value of the engine and got tracking and insurance. You could try to appeal the decision, but it will only delay the inevitable. Key piece that I saw in the reading of the policies is that the seller needed proof of delivery, which you can't or unable to provide.
If you want to continue to use the PayPal services and eBay, my guess is that you'll have to suck it up and pay before your business access is restricted. Continue to communicate the loss of the engine with your contacts and watch the engine serial number to pop up.
EBay buying policies are swayed more towards the protection of the buyer. It pays to read them. and know what you as a seller needs to do to protect yourself. When I sold stuff on eBay and shipped it, I would always send it with return reciept for proof of delivery and insured the item for actual value regardless of what the buyers request. That way if anything happened I was covered for the loss.
Chock this up as a life learning event....
Sorry sir for your loss.
#13
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RE: Beware - eBay scammer !
I did the same thing once for someone wanting similarly priced radio equipment here in the U.S. He sent the cash, I bought his equipment and sent it to him in Switzerland. I knew the guy thru an electronics list online and he had a good reputation. The package went through fine and he avoided a large import tariff because of my low dollar value declaration. Still, it wasn't exactly on the up and up. I offered to do this to help my friend out, but your loss is a lesson learned for me.
#14
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RE: Beware - eBay scammer !
ORIGINAL: asmund
Most E-bay sellers DO NOT ship to Italy, I guess there is a very good reason for that[:'(]
Most E-bay sellers DO NOT ship to Italy, I guess there is a very good reason for that[:'(]
and as for cheating on the customs slip, they're not stupid and when it suits them that expensive looking doodad with a $20 claim is going to become a major headache for both buyer and seller....just not worth it IMO. chances are that even if the guy has to pay a bit of customs or VAT the price is still going to be way cheaper than sourcing the same item in country, THAT is why he's buying from abroad to start with.
#15
RE: Beware - eBay scammer !
I remember someone asking me if I would ship to Mexico and how much it would cost. I checked with both UPS and FedEx and both of them refused to ship anything to Mexico. They stated as soon as it crosses the border it disappears.
Other countries on the do not ship to list are these, but I think some other Eastern European and middle Asian countries probably should be on the list too:
Other countries on the do not ship to list are these, but I think some other Eastern European and middle Asian countries probably should be on the list too:
lbania | Ghana | Pakistan |
Algeria | Guinea | Panama |
Angola | Haiti | Russia |
Bangladesh | Indonesia | Ruwanda |
Barbados | Iran | Senegal |
Benin | Iraq | Serbia |
Bolivia | Italy | Seychellas |
Brazil | Ivory Coast | Sierra Leone |
Burkina Faso/ Upper Volta | Jordan | Soloman Island |
Burundi | Kenya | Somalia |
Cambodia | Korea (Peoples' Dem. Rep.) | Sudan |
Cameroon, United Rep. of | Libyan Arab Jamahirya | Syrian Arab Republic |
Cape Verde | Madagascar | Tanzania, United Rep. of |
Central African Republic | Malaysia | Togo |
Chad | Mali | Tunisia |
Columbia | Mauritania | Uganda |
Congo | Mexico | Venezuela |
Cuba | Morocco | Yemen |
Dominican Republic | Nicaraqua | Zaire |
Ecuador | Niger | Zambia |
Ethiopia | Nigeria | |
Gabon | Oman |
#16
RE: Beware - eBay scammer !
You know, one thought I had was it may have gotten lost in transit in the USA. Someone last year had a HP Twin 1.20 get lost in shipping. It later turned up for sale by someone who had bought it at a USPO lost package auction of all things. That makes one wonder if a postal employee saw what it was and purposely got it damaged and lost, just so their associate to buy it at a auction. The engine was lost in the USA but the USA buyer had posted it in a Canadian Ebay auction. The original owner managed to get the guy to pull the auction though, but not by choice.
So if it was stolen or something, it may show up on a Ebay auction someplace.
So if it was stolen or something, it may show up on a Ebay auction someplace.
#17
Senior Member
RE: Beware - eBay scammer !
ORIGINAL: earlwb
I remember someone asking me if I would ship to Mexico and how much it would cost. I checked with both UPS and FedEx and both of them refused to ship anything to Mexico. They stated as soon as it crosses the border it disappears.
Other countries on the do not ship to list are these, but I think some other Eastern European and middle Asian countries probably should be on the list too:
I remember someone asking me if I would ship to Mexico and how much it would cost. I checked with both UPS and FedEx and both of them refused to ship anything to Mexico. They stated as soon as it crosses the border it disappears.
Other countries on the do not ship to list are these, but I think some other Eastern European and middle Asian countries probably should be on the list too:
lbania | Ghana | Pakistan |
Algeria | Guinea | Panama |
Angola | Haiti | Russia |
Bangladesh | Indonesia | Ruwanda |
Barbados | Iran | Senegal |
Benin | Iraq | Serbia |
Bolivia | Italy | Seychellas |
Brazil | Ivory Coast | Sierra Leone |
Burkina Faso/ Upper Volta | Jordan | Soloman Island |
Burundi | Kenya | Somalia |
Cambodia | Korea (Peoples' Dem. Rep.) | Sudan |
Cameroon, United Rep. of | Libyan Arab Jamahirya | Syrian Arab Republic |
Cape Verde | Madagascar | Tanzania, United Rep. of |
Central African Republic | Malaysia | Togo |
Chad | Mali | Tunisia |
Columbia | Mauritania | Uganda |
Congo | Mexico | Venezuela |
Cuba | Morocco | Yemen |
Dominican Republic | Nicaraqua | Zaire |
Ecuador | Niger | Zambia |
Ethiopia | Nigeria | |
Gabon | Oman |
#18
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RE: Beware - eBay scammer !
I sell over 1000 items a year on Ebay (under ronwc1), about 600 of those RC engines. It can be very difficult at times and learning to play ebay's game is not easy - but with that being said, it can also be profitable. They have changed their rules over the last year to greatly favor the buyer, with the seller paying all the fee's. Of course Ebay doesn't bother to tell you all the potential problems that can and do come up, their main concern is covering their *****. And it would take many pages to detail.
About 40% of my sales go international out of US. About 1/2 of those go to Australia with most of the rest to Italy and Brazil. If you don't offer international and sell outside of US, you generally won't get top dollar. As far as shipping goes out of US goes, Brazil is the worse, Mexico second and Italy third in my book. Australia is the best, very good buyers and have never had one "lost". Brazil recently changed their mailing system to "combat fraud", but did not add extra people to help, so their workers there are not happy, which results in "lost" packages. Lost a nice OS 120 four stroke there ($225) a few months ago, and got charged for it. Called ebay and paypal, their response was "that is part of the cost of doing business" - not very helpful. But in all fairness, that leaves about 399 packages that went out of the US with no problems.
The USPS is very good in US, resonable cost, very little damage and tracking is quick/easy. Once it leaves the US, they have no control. Tracking is cost prohibited going out of US, unless a very expensive engine, so you are at the other countries mercy. Shipping typical engine in US with tracking is about $6, shipping out of US about $15 (first class no tracking) - out of US with any kind of tracking/delivery confimation, has to go priority and cost goes up to about $40+.
In reality, most of my "problem" buyers are in the US. Although I manage to maintain a 100% rating, it can be very difficult, you better have thick skin. Not to mention the increasing number of US buyers that bid and then don't pay, takes a minimum of a week to straighten that out. I am starting to cancel bids and blocked most bidders that have zero rating, I would estimate that 80% of them don't pay. As mentioned earlier, as a seller you cannot leave bad feedback against a buyer, and some buyers use feedback extortion against seller to get money back after receiving item.
About 40% of my sales go international out of US. About 1/2 of those go to Australia with most of the rest to Italy and Brazil. If you don't offer international and sell outside of US, you generally won't get top dollar. As far as shipping goes out of US goes, Brazil is the worse, Mexico second and Italy third in my book. Australia is the best, very good buyers and have never had one "lost". Brazil recently changed their mailing system to "combat fraud", but did not add extra people to help, so their workers there are not happy, which results in "lost" packages. Lost a nice OS 120 four stroke there ($225) a few months ago, and got charged for it. Called ebay and paypal, their response was "that is part of the cost of doing business" - not very helpful. But in all fairness, that leaves about 399 packages that went out of the US with no problems.
The USPS is very good in US, resonable cost, very little damage and tracking is quick/easy. Once it leaves the US, they have no control. Tracking is cost prohibited going out of US, unless a very expensive engine, so you are at the other countries mercy. Shipping typical engine in US with tracking is about $6, shipping out of US about $15 (first class no tracking) - out of US with any kind of tracking/delivery confimation, has to go priority and cost goes up to about $40+.
In reality, most of my "problem" buyers are in the US. Although I manage to maintain a 100% rating, it can be very difficult, you better have thick skin. Not to mention the increasing number of US buyers that bid and then don't pay, takes a minimum of a week to straighten that out. I am starting to cancel bids and blocked most bidders that have zero rating, I would estimate that 80% of them don't pay. As mentioned earlier, as a seller you cannot leave bad feedback against a buyer, and some buyers use feedback extortion against seller to get money back after receiving item.
#20
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RE: Beware - eBay scammer !
When my sister visited Italy she bought some curios to send home to me. She had to bribe the postal clerks to take the packages and process them. This was the only time she had to do this in many countries she visited in Europe.
#21
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RE: Beware - eBay scammer !
I have heard some real horror stories about ebay. I have heard some pretty bad one from the RC Forum Classifieds as well. I will no longer use either.
#22
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RE: Beware - eBay scammer !
Thanks for all the replies guys ! I have concluded (bitterly) that I have no chance of beating these PayPal "Brown Shirts", so have decided to pay their 30 pieces of silver, and cancel my account as soon as possible. They have all the bases covered and they make the rules to suit themselves, so nothing can be done. Whatever happened to business integrity and looking after loyal customers ?
#23
RE: Beware - eBay scammer !
ORIGINAL: 74SEVEN7
Thanks for all the replies guys ! I have concluded (bitterly) that I have no chance of beating these PayPal ''Brown Shirts'', so have decided to pay their 30 pieces of silver, and cancel my account as soon as possible. They have all the bases covered and they make the rules to suit themselves, so nothing can be done. Whatever happened to business integrity and looking after loyal customers ?
Thanks for all the replies guys ! I have concluded (bitterly) that I have no chance of beating these PayPal ''Brown Shirts'', so have decided to pay their 30 pieces of silver, and cancel my account as soon as possible. They have all the bases covered and they make the rules to suit themselves, so nothing can be done. Whatever happened to business integrity and looking after loyal customers ?
I empathize with your situation. Unfortunately I agree it should be chocked up to be a lesson learned.
#24
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RE: Beware - eBay scammer !
To be fair about it, you were boxed into a no win scam because it works on your willingness to help someone out. Being "a little bit" wrong to avoid the high tax got you. It's easy to empathize with someone wanting to avoid being gouged by the tax man....imo.