ebay seller puttin the screws to me

[dj kharisma]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? PA

First, thanks to anyone who reads this. Any help/advice is greatly appreciated.

I am a club DJ in Pittsburgh, PA. I wanted some backup equipment (turntables, mixer, speakers) so that I could practice in my apartment and not have to travel to the my cold, desolate rental space to do such. That, and the less wear on my primary equipment, the better. I found a setup that would suit my needs, and the shipping was listed as free. Upon winning the auction, I paid instantly via PayPal. The seller emailed me that shipping wasn't really free, it's just that he couldn't know who would buy it, and from where. Fine, fair enough, I said.

He went to UPS and it was upwards of $180. I was at the beginning of an unpaid, 60 hr/week degree-required internship, and couldn't come up with the funds. This was in March.

Finally, last week of August, after paying off several credit cards, I sent him the money order for the amount agreed upon. He waited two weeks to get it "authenticated" by his bank before he cashed it (which I don't understand just because money order = guaranteed money). He cashed it on Sep. 24. We have stayed in touch thru this long, painful process. He finally said he'd send it to me on Oct. 15....to no avail. On Oct. 19, he emailed me, saying his girlfriend was planning on helping him. On Oct. 25, he emailed me again, saying his girlfriend backed out, saying "My girlfriend bailed when she found out it was going to cost almost $200 to ship." Which leads me to believe he has already spent the money I sent him for the sole purpose of shipping my goods. That is the last conversation I have had with him.

So I have spent over $550+ for this equipment, I have emailed him several times since then, and have received no response. My girlfriend, friends, and family believe I've been taken. I don't want to believe that, but my patience is wearing thin. I have all the documents (printout of item description, paypal receipt, credit card stmt., copy of money order for shipping). And before I forget, he lives in California, I live in PA....which further complicates matters, I'm sure.

Any advice here is welcome, as my goodwill and patience with this is wearing thin. Thank you.

 

[shugercube]

Maybe

I don't know a ton about this, but I know that Paypal has a complaint process if you don't receive your item, as does eBay. Of course, this wouldn't help with the money order you sent, I don't know if there is a way to get the money order back, you might try asking the place you got the MO from about that. It does seem to me that this guy scammed you, even if accidentally. Also, if you made the first payment with a credit card, you might be able to have them remove the charge from your statement if you tell them you never received the item. I know this probably isn't much help on the legal aspect of it, but I hope it is at least some help!

 

[janedoe23]

Sounds like you would have to file a complaint with paypal if the 30 day mark hasn't passed. If it is to late to file a complaint then you can file a chargeback with your credit card company. Far as the money order goes you will have to call the phone # on the stub and request a copy of the signed money order. After all that you will have to file in small calims court for the return of the amount on the money order. You would have to sue in his state of CA so basically you might as well suck up the lose of the $180 and get back what you can thru the cc chargeback.

You can always send the seller a certified, restricted letter telling them of your intentions if you don't recieve your product or full refund.