Sold items sent were not what was described and I am to blame.

[Patrickwat333]

Pennsylvania/New Jersey.

My dilemma started in late November when a friend of mine wanted me to list some items on eBay for him as he did not have an account and didn't feel like going through the hassle of doing it all himself as he is a busy 23 yr old college student. I agreed and would make $200 or 7% what ever was more of the total value of all sold items not including the listing fees and PayPal transaction fees (he would cover them). Items were listed and sold within the week. Items include; Samsung 37' Flat screen TV sold for = $770. HP laptop sold for = $645. 8 gig itouch sold for = $310. Finally, a Sprint 8525 sold for $250.Totaling $1,810 give or take due to shipping and things. All items were sold just before thanksgiving which slowed the shipping process. People e-mailed me and I assured them their items would be sent out ASAP but should expect to recieve their items slightly later due to the Holiday weekend. I was not in charge of the shipping I would; post the items, collect the money, and keep in contact with the buyers. He was only in charge of shipping the items out as they were all at his house in Jersey and his parents worked for the post office so he could just take care of it quickly and cheaply. So a few days went by and I wrote out checks to him to cover the costs of shipping and we agreed that I would give him the money first and he would then give me the $200 and I would prefer to write out checks so that there would be a paper trail. On one day he was in a hurry and could not wait for a check to clear so I gave him the $770 from my bank. About 2 days later he said he shipped all but 1 item out the laptop as we were waiting for the guys check to clear. He gave me the post office pink slips from where he shipped the items and they had tracking codes. All items were shipped with insurance and sig. confirmation. A few days went by and I began to get e-mails from people telling me that the items that they recieved were not in fact what they bought on eBay. My PayPal account now is negative nearly $900 as people have begun to request their money back. My friend is un-reachable. (I use this term loosely as obviously he is not a friend.) My PayPal account is linked to my checking which is why tonight I immedieatly went to the bank and withdrew my funds and closed the account. All these peoples items are covered under 1) eBay buyer protection and 2) usps insured they could claim their orders got mixed up perhaps?. Either way this guy owes me money to bring my paypal account back to good standing and to refund these people so they don't have to run the gambit and file for the whole eBay reimbursment process. I want to help these people out as I feel culpable, but also my friend has screwed me and I just want the money to cover this negative balance from him. How would this fair in Small Claims? or could I get away with putting my tail between my legs and deleting my account from eBay and letting buyers protection deal with it? What about PayPal what charges can they bring on me? Thanks for any advice big or small.

 

[BoredAtty]

How would this fair in Small Claims?

Most likely, you would be responsible to the buyers. It would then be your problem to get reimbursed from your "friend."

or could I get away with putting my tail between my legs and deleting my account from eBay and letting buyers protection deal with it? What about PayPal what charges can they bring on me? Thanks for any advice big or small.

Can't say what the buyers, eBay and PayPal will do, but it's very possible that you will be sued.

 

[SnowCajun]

My dilemma started in late November when a friend of mine wanted me to list some items on eBay for him as he did not have an account and didn't feel like going through the hassle of doing it all himself as he is a busy 23 yr old college student. I agreed and would make $200 or 7% what ever was more of the total value of all sold items not including the listing fees and PayPal transaction fees (he would cover them). Items were listed and sold within the week.

This is sad to see someone you felt was a friend do you this way. Friends like that no one needs! The bad part of this entire mess is that you sold this stuff with your name and reputation, so that makes you the responsible party.

In all honesty those eBay buyers aren't going to believe your tale about your friend screwing you over, all they're wanting is either what they paid for, or their money back, and that unfortunately leaves you up a creek without a paddle. You're going to have to refund their money somehow if what they paid for wasn't as represented. Where are the returns going, are they going back to your friends address so he can have someone else sell them for him again? I mean if he's willing to screw you over you have to wonder who's next!

My PayPal account is linked to my checking which is why tonight I immedieatly went to the bank and withdrew my funds and closed the account. All these peoples items are covered under 1) eBay buyer protection and 2) usps insured they could claim their orders got mixed up perhaps?.

Because this stuff was sold by you via your eBay account you're the one who is going to responsible for all this mess, at least at first, then after you get it all straightened out you're going to have to sue your so-called friend! If you've rushed to the bank and closed your account as you've said, then that's surely going to make this look like fraud, like you took their money and purposely closed your account to stop the recovery of their losses! That could involve the police too you know? Refunds are going to have to paid somehow by you because you sold the stuff with your name and account, and you can't expect eBay buyer protection or USPS insurance to cover misrepresentation of items!

You need to find this so-called friend in a hurry! Let us know how this turns out!

SnowCajun