Paypal works by freezing funds in the seller's account, so if they don't have any that is it. eBay actually protects transactions up to some preset amount (might be $200). I expect you will hear from them, but it does take a little while. I thought I was losing $475 or something like that on an ebay bike, and filed a complaint. eBay was going to pay me $200 something, but then the bike showed up so I canceled my complaint.
Good luck :^)
Doug Van Cleve Chandler, AZ
-----Original Message----- From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of Irving T. Howitzer Sent: Saturday, June 19, 2004 8:24 PM To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: [CR]Ebay Fraud Questions For List Members
Last month I "won" an auction for a Hetchins track frame (auction #3677030956). The frame went for a pretty small amount - $200 plus $40 shipping, partially because it had no fork and seemed in rough shape, but mostly because the photos looked murky and the seller's description was vague. I paid via Paypal but I never received the item. I had some contact with the seller via phone and e-mail right after the auction and she promised that she was sending the frame out. That was over two weeks ago and now she doesn't answer phone messages or E-mail. I filed a fraud complaint with Ebay and Paypal and so far only Paypal has gotten back to me to say that there are no funds in her account for me to get back. Thanks alot. So much for the "buyer protection" plans that both places squawk about so much. I just contacted my credit card company to contest the charges and I hope that I can get my money back with their help.
I would appreciate any suggestions or comments from people who have been in the same situation. By the way - the sellers name was Cindy Myers and I believe she lives in Albuqueque, New Mexico. Should I attempt to track her down via her phone # or contact the local police? I've heard that E-Bay is generally of no help whatsoever in cases like this.
Thanks, Mike Fabian in "sunny" San Francisco . . .