3% is a lot of dough when you start dealing in bigger numbers. PayPal offers that option for a reason (viz., to transact with family and friends) and it is in no way "gaming the system" to use a service they openly provide.
It's all about trust and reputation. When I trade with people that I have experience with or references we mutually know, then it is no doubt "gift" time.
it is against pp. regulations for any payments for anything be paid as a gift or just money transfer. it is better to add the 3% to the total than get your asses burnt. you could always contact police with the fellows name and email address. this will at least lead you to his bank account info using the police. that is if they even bother to follow up on it. how much was the amount?
Oh, and in terms of outing someone who appears to be acting dishonestly, I think it's essential that once it seems crystal clear that someone has taken advantage of you, that these individuals indeed be outed.
Frankly, I think it is a far better option to have scamsters openly exposed within the community than it is to try and resolve issues through the government or legal system. Social ostracism is cheap, effective, and ethical.
Good luck getting the police to help, they have better things to do than try and hunt down some internet crook, I know from experience. Paypal and ebay are excellent services and you should pay for that. You should also play by their rules, saving a little money didnt work so well this time. Thats why I like to just send the guy a check, the old fashion way, as long as I know who Im dealing with. But if I buy from ebay from someone I dont know then paypal is good for both of us. But Im tiered of hearing people complain about ebay and paypal fees, if its so expensive then go buy or sell your drum or part or whatever it is somewhere else. Good luck with that, especially when you consider we are talking about an international market here.
But Gary, I do feel bad for you if you got ripped off, that is just bad news. I hope you work it out.
Gary,I also want to say that it's truly a shame that this happened.The thing I see a lot is buyers being ripped of by a seller,asking the buyer to use the "gift' fearure of PP.
Doing this saves the fee,but it also places the seller,in a place where he has no recourse.You even at that point,lose some of the paper trail,that could have helped bring a different result.
I will also add,that in a reasonable amount of time,should this not be resolved,by you recicving your property,then this "seller" should be outed ,on a public forum,is for no other reason that to warn other prospective buyers ,that they are dealing with a liar,and a thief,who is no different than the burgler,who breaks in,and robs your house.Using a computer to steal,or a crowbar to break in,the're both humanoids.
Steve B
I'm going to hold out hope this works, out, the reason I was willing to accommodate him is because I bought a cymbal a few months ago and it came in as nice as he described, smooth transaction, so no red flags went up. I don't see him lurk here, he is active on another forum though. I'm concerned now because the phone # I used for him in the past is dis connected, no tracking info, no communication back...
I can't help but notice how so many times I read where crooks and bogus individuals should be "outed" on open forums yet I always read, "got burned by a member"...I think there are a couple in this thread..okay, so who is that member? I agree, if you would say "Jack Dick" really screwed this one up, maybe Jack Dick would try harder to not screw up the next time.
I was ALMOST taken by a "member" here but was saved by Paypal and their policy and I even went on to buy again from this "member" without any issue but I would like to think that he knows that he fabricated a story that did not work and it was not by accident. I did not and won't set this guy out because the situation was rectified in my favor and I hope that his error was realized, although I certainly would have, and still would appreciate an apology for his poor judgment and very unprofessional sales ethic.
Trust me, had the $$$$ amount been larger or had I not been vindicated I would have put it out in CAPITAL letters, like I did LANCELOT-68 (ebay name) and his broken, never did work $200+ hi-hat stand which he states "it worked when it left here" which was impossible but does work now.
People do make mistakes and often solutions can be found but stupid is beyond repair and seems to run unchecked often.
had a problem with lance at first go round on ebay. he said needs adjusting, what he should have said was dropped and mangled beyond repair. a ludwig SS snare. I lost thousands of dollars on ebay. in many drum deals.
Gary, very sorry to hear this. I hope he still comes through for you. Like you I try to give people the benefit of the doubt. In the past I've had a few situations where the person was sick, in the hospital or family emergency etc..... so hopefully this is the case. If he's still active on the other forum (like today) and he posted something maybe make a post saying you've been trying to get a hold of him. If in time all else fails and he ripped you off I'd for sure out him and let everyone know. I've had a couple deals in the past that sure looked like I'd never get my stuff. We're talking months here. But in time I did get most of my stuff. Times are tough so anything is possible. Maybe he's short on cash to ship it to you. I've had that happen too. Desperate times. Anyway hope things work out for you. Glenn. :)
This you do with people You know and trust other wise you are screwed
