Getting scammed stinks

Microcontrolled · 2011-06-30 09:18

When you log into eBay the first thing you see is the large "Buyer protection" ad, telling you that no matter what you buy, eBay will protect and cover the original price and shipping. That is, unless the estimated delivery date from China is past the 45 day coverage. So, after dishing out $25 for a new Bluetooth keyboard from this guy: http://myworld.ebay.com/zicomall/ and never receiving it, I go to eBay to file a dispute. However, the maximum shipping date hasn't been passed yet, so I wait longer. When the maximum shipping date HAS been passed I go to file a dispute and, suprise! It's out of coverage!
Upon revisiting his page to give him negitive feedback, I see that in the time since I bought the item (May 13th) there has been a mass of people complaning of the same thing. Contacting the seller doesn't help.

I've used eBay a LOT, and bought a lot of electronics from China, and this has NEVER happened before. I have had items lost in the mail, and they are always refunded or returned without dispute.

I don't rant very much on this forum, but this is maddening.

piguy101 · 2011-06-30 09:37

I was reading the feedback of that seller, and he/she has some negative and positive feedback. Only it seems as if all the positive feedback is very similar, possibly made by one person with multiple accounts?

erco · 2011-06-30 09:45

Yep, I have been surprised how honest & diligent most Chinese Ebay sellers are. On the rare occasion that I get stiffed, I have always been able to get a refund through Paypal. Sometimes it takes a while. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. The louder you complain, the faster you'll get your refund.

You DID use Paypal, correct?

Microcontrolled · 2011-06-30 12:20

Just tried PayPal, and eBay. After 45 days they offer no protection.

bill190 · 2011-06-30 12:31

I've had good luck with Amazon.com I see they have Bluetooth keyboards as well...

Unknown · 2011-06-30 13:03

Microcontrolled wrote: »

When you log into eBay the first thing you see is the large "Buyer protection" ad, telling you that no matter what you buy, eBay will protect and cover the original price and shipping. That is, unless the estimated delivery date from China is past the 45 day coverage. So, after dishing out $25 for a new Bluetooth keyboard from this guy: http://myworld.ebay.com/zicomall/ and never receiving it, I go to eBay to file a dispute. However, the maximum shipping date hasn't been passed yet, so I wait longer. When the maximum shipping date HAS been passed I go to file a dispute and, suprise! It's out of coverage!

Microcontrolled,

Anybody can set up an account.

My friend set up his own style online networking like Myspace and he had scam artists signing up, asking for money and sending people emails.

I've had the same problem with penfriend sites. People who aren't interested in the same stuff who just join because they want something they can't get without scamming people.

The internet is where con-artists can hind their face. I'm sure some are stealing pictures and posing from other people's profiles. A lot of con artists work 9-5 in coffee houses and they live in countries that don't have diplomatic relations with our country. I am also aware of individuals whom change their ISPs regularly and they use library computers and it is hard for some moderators to ban them.

Only buy from people who you have established a relationship of reasonable trust with.

I don't know why you waited (other than the seller was trying to wait out the buyer protection) so long because you can get a product from overseas in about a week.

Chuck

Ttailspin · 2011-06-30 13:24

@Chuckz, and the world...

I'm sure some are stealing pictures and posing from other people's profiles. A lot of con artists work 9-5 in coffee houses and they live in countries that don't have diplomatic relations with our country.

Enjoy a journey thru the harsh realities of humanity...

And just for laughs, check out this site chocked full of info...

I am sorry for your loss Micro, it is not your fault, keep the faith.

-Tommy

Beau Schwabe · 2011-06-30 14:21

I had a similar thing happen, only the seller from China was completely aware of the 'Window'... I took the benifit of the doubt, that "Ohhh ya, you receive your merchandise, I promise, you please waiting"... so I waited, and waited... finally when I decided enough was enough. I contacted E-bay and explained in detail, to which their best response is "I'm sorry, your past your window to complain" ...

There needs to be some prevision at Ebay that takes into account that merchandise from China can take upwards of 21 days ... sometimes more if things don't go well. Thus in some cases going past the window that is currently set up for any disputes.

Fortunately the Item I got burned on was only 20 bucks, and they were rare earth magnets... probably still stuck to the shipping bulk head somewhere.

Oldbitcollector (Jeff) · 2011-06-30 14:59

I hate to say it, but a friend of mine when he introduced me to Ebay described what he called, "Acceptable Loss" -- He buys a lot of stuff from that direction, and factors in that a percentage will be a bad deal. I know it doesn't help how you feel now, but for me this was a honest view of Ebay for me at the time when I was just getting into it.

OBC

erco · 2011-06-30 16:18

@uC: I'd keep bulldogging it with Paypal just on the principle of the scam. Restate the schedule and timing intervals, and definitely point out the typical long shipping delay from China. As I said, I've dealt with Paypal before and not much happens until after several emails go back & forth. It seems that every time you say "no I'm not satisfied", it goes higher up the chain. I would bet that you're within 4 emails of getting a full refund. What have you got to lose? I suggest your redirect your frustration at Paypal and point out the inadequacies of their self-promoted and highly-vaunted "Buyer Protection" program. IF there's a scam here, it's with Paypal.

Microcontrolled · 2011-06-30 17:07

@erco: How do you actually email PayPal on the matter? I think they may be refund me considering the shipping speed, but the reason I didn't file anything with them before the maximum shipping date was because I have ordered something from China before, and after 40 days, I emailed the seller and said that I never received the product. He asked if I wanted a refund or a new product, I said new product, and I got it in 2 weeks. Long shipping rates from China are expected, so I gave him the benifit of the doubt, something I will probably never do again.
Also, just a side note, this keyboard wasn't for me, it was a birthday present for someone who has been wanting a keyboard for their iPad for some time now. I'd like to get the refund so I can at least get them something else. :-(

Martin_H · 2011-06-30 19:57

Microcontrolled, my condolences, it always feels icky when someone takes advantage of you.

Mike Green · 2011-06-30 20:16

I know this is an issue that gets people's ire up, but no personal name calling please.

erco · 2011-07-01 00:50

Go direct to Paypal.com and log in/My Account/Resolution Center/Dispute a transaction

I assume you already went through Ebay:

My EBay/Purchase History/select item/More actions/Resolve a problem

Sick 'em, uC!

Tor · 2011-07-01 04:11

I'll just add that there's not really any reason to expect long shipping time from China (unless it's sent by, er, ship). To Europe, at least, it's usually faster to get something from China or Hong Kong than from the US. I've received packages in six days or less after completing the order, and at least two of those days are certainly spent inside the domestic mail handling here (add more days there if there's customs involved).

-Tor

Microcontrolled · 2011-07-01 05:53

@erco:

I get the following messages from PayPal:

And from eBay:

sam_sam_sam · 2011-07-01 10:02

Here is what I do when I buy on ebay and I buy from China
When I do not get what I order in two week I email the seller and tell them I am going to file a complaint about them and when I get my order I will close the complaint and for me this has worked
I had one seller that was in China I file a complaint about tell me that they would give a bad rating if I did not close this complaint NOW and wait until the 21 days have past or well give you a bad rating I know you will say that is is a **** contest and you are right but it works
I told them go ahead and do it and I will do the same

After about 25 days I got what I order and I close the complaint and did not get a bad rating

The one that take along time to get to you from China are from seller that say free shipping and are put on the package no money for what you order and say that it is a gift
so that custom dose not charge them any money those are the one that take 20 to 30 day to get

erco · 2011-07-01 11:49

I've never seen that Paypal screen saying "cannot be disputed". Ebay owns Paypal, so I still say hammer on Paypal, they control the money flow. You can still contact them directly at the bottom of any Paypal page to plead your case. The irony of the timing and both Ebay & Paypal saying no is something that must be brought to their attention and have their noses rubbed in it. If there is an option to call them or have them call you, do that. And def point out that you have done many successful Ebay China transactions.

Sick 'em, uC!

Microcontrolled · 2011-07-01 12:52

@erco: I've just emailed PayPal, hopefully the reply will be optimistic. :-)

erco · 2011-07-01 12:57

AttaBoy! I bet you'll be victorious.

Microcontrolled · 2011-07-01 19:51

@erco: Hmmm.... I got an email back that, not very clearly, stated that I can't get my money back. Here is what it said:

Thank you for taking the time to contact us with your concerns. I am
happy to assist you further.

You may file a dispute through our Resolution Center even after the 45
days deadline. However, based on PayPal's legal agreements we are not
able to investigate any disputes that were to file after the particular
deadline.

By filling a claim against the other party even after the 45 days period
will ensure that the incident has been recorded. Should future incidents
occur of the same nature, PayPal will be able to take action against the
members account for fraudulent activity.

However, this protection policy does not affect your statutory rights;
you can still take action against this seller outside of the PayPal
claim process.

To learn more about PayPal Purchase Protection, click ‘Legal Agreements’
at the bottom of any PayPal page, and then click "PayPal User
Agreement."

Please let me know if you need further assistance.

Sincerely,
Shereen
Protection Services Department
PayPal, an eBay Company

PJAllen · 2011-07-02 07:49

You get a lot of "encouragement" and "patronage" around here, all to no good end as far as I'm concerned and this matter is proof of it.

Here are some hard facts -

45 days is 45 days, I looked at it this morning; your interpretations or feelings are inconsequential, they have no bearing.

Minors are not allowed to register accounts at ebay.
A minor has a unique right to unilateral nullification.
A minor cannot be compelled to uphold a contract.
A minor does not know what he is doing, my thoughts on the matter notwithstanding, it's the law.

If someone doesn't like that then that's tough. He doesn't have an argument with me, he has an argument with the law.

Remedially, your guardian can take the matter up for you, but your PayPal/ebay activity will be terminated in the process.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/93593/the_risks_and_dangers_of_entering_a.html?cat=17

Microcontrolled · 2011-07-02 10:06

Microcontrolled · 2011-07-02 10:06

@PJ Allen: I don't think you understand. When I posted this thread, I KNEW that my money was gone for good and I had NO thoughts of getting it back. When users started suggesting things, I figured I might as well try them because what do I have to lose? Most of the forum members here are a lot smarter than I am so I usually take their word for it. My guardian made my eBay & PayPal account for me, and although I am the payee, I believe the account is in their name. The reason I have a checking and PayPal account at all is because of the buisness I do online, through this forum and my website.
I'm getting off topic. The point is that I understand that what is done is done.
What I DON'T understand, however, is why you seem so set agianst me and the encouragement of the forum. You either want everyone to know your opinion, you really hate me for some unknown reason, or you want to start an argument. As far as I remember I have never done anything to you to make you dislike me enough to put your first (and moderated) post into this thread, which held no substance but was aimed primarily to insult me and nothing more. I NEVER thought you would have the nerve to post AGAIN in this thread, but it appears you have, and although you made some good points, you seem to indicate hate even in that. And why are you agianst the encouragement of this forum?

I just don't understand you, or your intentions.

Oldbitcollector (Jeff) · 2011-07-02 11:01

@Microcontrolled, Don't take PJ personally. He's tossed a few barbs in other directions at times too.. He seems to enjoy keeping us on our toes.

Negativity isn't against forum rules... Only because I didn't write them..

@PJ, I get a laugh every time I see that avatar. (We've got cookies) It suits you.

OBC

Kenny Gardner · 2011-07-02 12:10

How did you fund PayPal? Credit Card? Direct withdrawl from your Bank?

If Credit Card the solution is simple. Just dispute the PayPal charge saying you never received the item. Your CC Company will happily issue a chargeback to PayPal. If Debit or direct Bank withdrawl, getting a chargeback issued may be a bit more difficult, but it can't hurt to try. With Banks and Credit Card companies, your time to dispute starts with the statement date.

This will severely Smile PayPal off, but watch how fast they respond when you do this.

Kenny

Microcontrolled · 2011-07-02 12:59

Just forget it. I've given up on trying to get my money back, and it was a direct bank withdraw anyway. It isn't PayPal's fault, I'll just be more careful in the future and not buy from people in China with new eBay accounts.

Martin_H · 2011-07-02 13:46

Besides looking for some support I viewed this thread as a public service to the rest of the herd. I now know of one more way to avoid getting scammed. So thanks for the heads up.

RDL2004 · 2011-07-03 06:10

Yes, this has been an informative thread.

I also got taken on eBay. It cost me $100. It was several years ago when I first started on eBay. If I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have lost that money.

Getting scammed stinks

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