Approx. 2 weeks ago, I sent a check off to a private seller on this forum. The amount was $450. That's $400 for the item and $50 shipping and insurance.
The seller sent me many notes (3) saying he was needing money and making sure I was going to send money. I assured him I would.
And I did.
I received a email from him saying money in hand. He said wife would send tomorrow...OK
I now find out he seemingly has NO receipt and NO insurance was taken. The UPS number he supplys is non-exsistant. I have ALL correspndance between us and, if I do not receive my paid for s**t, will post it if allowed.
If I am wrong about this guy, I will GLADLY say so, apologizing like a mad dog. If I am not wrong, then I am a jerk for sending money to a stranger.
We shall see....
I once pulled out of a deal with someone in this forum. I called him in advance and told him I misunderstood what his item included. I advised him I will send $25.00 for his trouble. This man was a gentleman.

3/19/05
9 days. His wife sent me a receipt, but for some reason, I was unable to see it. Came from yahoo.
The receipt has a "wrong" number on it and we are unable to trace package. Seller states "how does he know I am telling the truth," and "why should HE take a loss?"
Methinx God didn't want me to have NOS on my 91 ragtop. Sadly, instead of just speaking to me out of a burning bush, God decided to charge me $450.00!!!
However, he writes me he is sorry for this and I happen to believe he is...Damn US Post Office...

3/21/05
NO NOS...It is beginning to dawn on me I am very "F'd"
3/23/05
NO calls returned within last 3 days..NO package...

 

Hang in there. Keep us posted.

Joe B.

 

Hope it works out for you man - that's a crappy deal if you're out 450 bones.

 

You need to post the name of this person so we will all know...It's the only way to try to keep criminals from operating in this forum

 

you guys always dog ebay.. but any more all i read on here is horror stories of people getting taken.. its very sad people do that to others! at least with ebay ya have a rating system .. hope this works out for ya!!

 

it sucks big time when someone on this forum gets ripped off by another forum member.

I am, unfortunatly or whatever, a lawyer so i think in these terms.

Why not set up a more formal rule/forum contract or process for more expensive transactions. The Buyer and Seller can agree to be bound by this process...and give no CF liability exposure.

Someone serves as a bonded "holder." Like an escrow agent... Holder is compensated at a small percentage of the transaction, paid equally by B & S.

When a deal is made through the forum, The big issue to the seller is whether the money is really there....the chief issue to the buyer is quality of goods....as described or not???

Most of us are proud and honorable, loving the Car and sharing the Joy, and trying to help others...a few are thieves, there are sometimes communication misunderstandings....

Alot of these transactions probably non credit card, are non local, which gives no viable state court remedy or collection process. so if we do a better job or "self policing, "it can make the experience better.

Money from purchaser is sent to holder; item sent to purchaser. Holder informs seller of receipt of money. Upon buyer's receipt and satisfied inspection, The buyer instructs holder to forward money to seller. If quality of goods becomes an issue, holder retains money temporarily, and the transaction goes to our appointed kangaroo court of CF senior members to arbitrate on line... it would be fun to watch.

C-4 Court

I know it s a fantasy, but darn it could be fun.

 

Now there's a jury that would actually be kind of fun to serve on.

 

I like Doc351's idea.
My wife is an accredited Accountant ( and CF Jr Member 88 redvert)... I could probably talk her into starting an escrow service but if someone else steps up. I 'd use the service.

 

... and depressing that one forum member would take advantage of another. If, of course, that is what happened here. That's what is so cool about this place: we take care of each other. I may be an idealistic weenie, but I'd sure like to keep the forum that way!

 

I hope all works out. Let us know good or bad

 

I feel fortunate: I've dealt with a few forum menbers, and so far have had great experiences. hope your situation works out. Keep us posted.

 

Hell, I assumed this place had an escrow service, I didnt even look. One forum im on, Sounddomain, has a escrow service set up for their classified section, and they're in complete anarchy over there, so I dont see why the vette fourm would be not be a better place to have one. Someone interested in doing a forum escrow service might want to at least check out that forum's way of doing things, as maybe a template... just trying to help



snoopdan

 

Wow... I certainly hope this works for you. That's gotta suck... and that's not a cheap amount to loose. Good luck to you

 

Time to kick azz and take names

 

Forum members, for the most part (99.9%) are great to deal with. That .1% that are not, gives us all problems. An escrow account would cut out the problem of sellers not sending the item. My experience in dealing with Forum members on purchases and sales have been great, so far.

 

Me too - and I think its a great idea.

As to the original poster - I think you do need to post the name of the CF member you are dealing with - maybe someone here knows him and can intervene for you.

 

Something like:

Both parties agree to be bound by the terms of the agreement containted herein:

CF forrum is held harmless and is not resp in anyway for anything. Members of the CF forum that particiapte are not responsible for anything.

The description is accurate representation of the quality.
Buyer will ship by( date) via (FedEX) insured. for $xxx. A Tracking no. will be submitted to purchaser.

Escrow will be _____________ie88redvert. When r8edvert receives funds she shall immediately notify seller and buyer via pm.

Buyer will have have xxx days to inspect merchandise. and notify 88vert to release funds.

If Buyer has a beef, he promptly notifies escrow agent to hold bucks penidng resolution of the matter. A thread is opened by the escrow agent. and 3 senior CF members are selected by each oponant from a list of non interested volunteers.

Both parties (without trashing each other) enter their arguments and evidence.

Questions asked. counter arguement. Maybe one round each.

CF jury members ask questions. decide and discuss via PM with each other and announce their holding. all along the way we can all comment on the case. and take a poll....
anyway, the c4 court members have the ability to recommend a discounted price, undoing of the transaction completely. banning a member from the forum, whatever.

a majority panel wins. dissenter can post his decision.

anyway, thats a rough idea. most transactions here are for small amounts and work fine. So i dont expect this to be burdensome. BTW. As a lawyer, i have a trust fund, and bound to lose my license if i do anything wrong. i should think its similar with a CPA. I certainly dont want the job. id just like to see some simple mechanism work so that people dont get ripped off as on this thread. im sure there are other lawyers on this forum, and we could come up with a arb agreement.

mark

 

MarkinAZ-

How long ago did he ship the stuff?

I had a problem with UPS a couple months back, and their tracking "system". I had a package sent to me from CA, and a tracking number was supplied. It was sent UPS ground. They claimed the package was sent on a tuesday, and by friday, I still couldn't get any tracking info. On Monday, I received the package- sure enough, it was shipped on tuesday, as promised. The next day, I checked the tracking number, and suddenly everything was there.

Just saying- dont be too dismayed- he very well may have shipped it, sometimes it takes FOREVER for UPS to get stuff tracked correctly.

 

There are plenty of escrow services on the web. I prefer paypal and use a credit card to pay with double the protection.Paypal is free although some people bash it too. I have had nothing but sucess with all my transactions with eBay and other sites that take paypal. If someone is not willing to sign up for an account with them and demand cash for an expensive item it would make
me think twice about doing the deal.
I just bought a beautiful Power Effects cat back sytem from a forum member Jdilley for a really good price and his siter had a paypal account and I was willing to send it to her but being a good seller he set up his own account just for this item although I am sure he will use it for other things now.

 

AS of this date, 7 days. It was shipped via post office....NOT ship insurred....He may well be a VERY honest person, but I think I am screwed....