AuctionCut

I won rare item in March auction, and sent seller my check for $509.95. (Seller did not accept PayPay.) Seller cashed my check but did not send item. Now the same rare item is listed again by a different seller, but from the same city. I'm almost certain that it is the same item, if indeed the item even exists. After all, all a crooked seller needs to list an item is a photo of it.

Ebay customer service sympathizes with me but offers no real help other than the phone number of the original seller which turns out to be a cell phone which is never answered live. They (Ebay) suggest that I notify local law enforcement, but won't give me the seller's address to pass on to the police.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Did you get any correspondence from the seller at all? How rare is the item - are you sure it is the same item?

Regardless of whether the item is being offered by another seller, surely it would be in your best interests to notify law enforcement of the original seller & the matter of non performance.

Additionally, did you report the originial seller to eBay as a non performing seller & did they take any action?

kensel wrote: They (Ebay) suggest that I notify local law enforcement, but won't give me the seller's address to pass on to the police.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

This doesn't sound right to me. If you sent the seller a cheque as you stated, even if it was to a PO box, you'll have a pretty easy time finding out where they live. Did you send it to a PO box or street address?

Also try using the Find Contact Information on eBay Advanced Search

The sellers contact details will be automatically emailed to both you and them.

Jeez, another non reply. I have to wonder, when you call people on these allegations they make, whether or not they are being entirely up front about what took place, and what their motives might be.

kensel wrote:I won rare item in March auction, and sent seller my check for $509.95. (Seller did not accept PayPay.) Seller cashed my check but did not send item. Now the same rare item is listed again by a different seller, but from the same city. I'm almost certain that it is the same item, if indeed the item even exists. After all, all a crooked seller needs to list an item is a photo of it.

Ebay customer service sympathizes with me but offers no real help other than the phone number of the original seller which turns out to be a cell phone which is never answered live. They (Ebay) suggest that I notify local law enforcement, but won't give me the seller's address to pass on to the police.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

You have several things working for you though full recovery could be dicey. If you paid by check, you know the bank that accepted it (get a copy of the cancled check) ask you bank to reverse it (get them invloved they may be able to point you to other options/resources as well)

It is a federal offense too (used the United States Postal Service) to defraud you and you know a mailing address too. Contact the USPS mail fraud folks. And send a letter the State Attoreny General outlining what happend and what you know. Keep the pressure constant and methodical and enjoy the process. You already paid for the ride!

I'm convinced this is just another half truth allegation. Otherwise, we should see the entire story. Walks like a duck.

Whenever I cut a check for big amounts, I post-date it until after I am to receive the item(s). The seller is obligated to deliver the item at a specified time and as long as they meet that obligation, then you can release the check. All sellers I've worked are usually cool about it, when they're on the level.

That is actually a good strategy. I've never thought about that before.

I find it difficult to believe that ebay told them that. There has to be more to the story than we are being told. How come this person is not contact the bank to find out which bank cleared it that is how you can find out who the person is. If you have proof that you never received it and the other person has proof you received it you might be in trouble.