posted on March 8, 2003 08:37:04 AM new
I violated my usual policy and sent an item to the winning bidder before receiving payment. Bidder sounded positive and excited about the purchase. Well...weeks passed and no payment (several e-mails promising payment, etc.). THANKS to a poster here on AW...I filed a complaint with the Internet Fraud Complaint Center (www.ifccfbi.gov/index.asp). Received notification and claim number very quickly. I ALSO went on the net and found the address of this person's local police department...bidder was from a small town. I wrote a letter to the police department. I outlined the "specifics", said I wanted to file an official complaint and asked for their assistance. I could not believe it when I received a telephone call from a Lt. in the police department..he said he wanted to verify the situation before taking any action. As it turns out, I had e-mailed the bidder and told the person what action I had taken. Yesterday, I RECEIVED PAYMENT! So...my suggestion is rather than stew about NPB's, it's worth a little time to file a complaint with the IFCC AND the person's local police department...AND let the bidder know what you've done...worked for me and I'm a happy camper! Don't know if the police would be as cooperative in a larger town but, this small-town police officer (who worked the night shift) certainly earned my thanks and appreciation!
posted on March 8, 2003 10:15:10 AM new
Very glad that worked out for you. But, I think the lesson to be learned is not to ship items until you have payment. I'm trying to think of why we would do otherwise. Not picking on you...just thinking about business policies in general.
posted on March 8, 2003 02:41:20 PM new
Of course, you're 100% correct, MPI...and I seldom do this...I have, though, on a couple of occasions when (a) the item isn't overly costly and (b) the bidder has high positive feedback. This transaction was the first where there's been a problem...and, will probably be the last as I'm a pretty quick study...truly, doesn't make sense to mail before payment is received...no matter HOW excited, pleased, and "honest" the buyer seems!
posted on March 8, 2003 02:59:00 PM new
Boy, you were lucky. I filed with the IFCC 2 months ago about a company that I lost $3000.00 to and I never heard back. I also filed with the BBB and called their local police dept and the only one I ever heard from was the BBB saying they would look into it. I filed with them 7 months ago!
posted on March 8, 2003 06:37:36 PM new
When I was surfing through eBay I noticed a sellers TOS that said something to the effect that when you bid you have entered into a contract with me. I ship when I get your address and I expect you to pay. If you don't pay you must need the money more than I do. That's not exactly the way it was worded but I understood it to mean that they mail before received any payment.
posted on March 8, 2003 10:57:34 PM new
When I was a Kid,,,,,,,watching those Scary Movies in the middle of the Night,,,,Late 50's Early 60's.......Zombies from HELL,,,,,,Frakenstiens,,,,,,,Whatevers,,Afterbeing on e bay,,,,,,,Send somthing to someone before you get the MONEY????!!!!!
NEVER mind,,,,,,,,you get the picture,,,,,,,,Zombies from e bay,,,,,,,zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz,,,,,,,,,
Snap! snap! snap!,,,,,,Whiiiiiip it, Whiiiiip it GOOD! OOOOuch!
