Got scammed by some guy on eBay!! -What should I do?

[saahmed]

I guess I was tired late one night and was stupid enough to buy a $600 Best Buy gift card for $520. The guys feedback was okay. For some reason, a few minutes after I purchased and paid for the item I got nervous. Luckily, I got the sellers contact info. And, I was lucky, because eBay, as smart as they are, removed the listing because apparently you cant sell cards over $500. After a couple weeks I got nothing and I got real nervous. I had to wait another week to file a Paypal complaint. After 10 days the idiots at paypal only refunded me $160, claiming that is all that is covered. This guy is confirmed and everything though. They say they are continuing to investigate the situation. BS. Anyway, its been a couple of months now and I really need that $360. What should I do? I have his phone # but I think he might be dead or something becuase he never answers it. All I have is his name, cell phone #, and city. I cant look him up because all I have is his cell #. If I call the Indianapolis cops (where he is located) would they do anything?

Since then I have stopped selling on eBay because of the extraordinary fees and I found AT. Also, I will only buy from sellers that have really high feedback ratings (at least 500).

Edit: I used paypal funds to pay for this. So I cant do a credit card chargeback.

Edit: This is what I get when I try to do a reverse phone # lookup " The phone number "removed" is a Indianapls, IN based phone number and the registered carrier is Cellco Partnership Dba Verizon Wireless - In. However, due to number portability, some numbers have been transferred to a new service provider other than the registered carrier."

Does anybody know of a place where I can do a free reverse number lookup that will get better results?

 

[Sheepathon]

Murder is the only solution.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Do you have a zip code? I live near Indianapolis, maybe I can help somehow?

 

[Aimster]

Why are you only getting $160 back from Paypal?

Shouldn't you get all of it?

 

[saahmed]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
Do you have a zip code? I live near Indianapolis, maybe I can help somehow?

eBay is stupid and didnt give me anything except for the location city. Do you think the local police would be helpful?

Why are you only getting $160 back from Paypal?

That is what I thought I would be getting. But paypal and eBay make up all of these BS exceptions and rules. For some reason the limit for this transaction was $160.

Murder is the only solution.

I was actually thinking about this at one point.

 

[bugle25]

I've never bought anything on ebay. Too many scammers IMO.

 

[Dulanic]

File a police report, if it is his real phone # or address they will get in touch with him. You will likely have to hound the cops to get them to do much, but it can help.

 

[salt9876]

I'd run a trace on his cell phone # and pwned him

 

[loic2003]

Got scammed by some guy on eBay!! -What should I do?

Learn from your mistake.

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: loic2003

Got scammed by some guy on eBay!! -What should I do?

Learn from your mistake.

winner

 

[Kelemvor]

If you paid using PayPal and your Credit Card, just dispute the charge.

If something sounds too good to be true....

 

[Ranger X]

Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
If you paid using PayPal and your Credit Card, just dispute the charge.

If something sounds too good to be true....

The OP said it's been months since the transaction. Will cc companies reverse charges that go that far back? That's strange that PayPal will over refund $160. I thought it was usually all or nothing but I guess I was wrong.

eBay is the breeding ground for scammers and it's perfect for them because ...
1. So many eBay buyers are stupid
2. Unless eBay is facing a financial loss, they will only put in the minimal effort in helping you
3. Scammers can do it and get away with it

 

[sourceninja]

Time is usually not a factor in reversing charges if you explain you were going though other methods of dispute before calling the cc company.

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: loic2003

Got scammed by some guy on eBay!! -What should I do?

Learn from your mistake.

so you're saying you wouldn't try to do anything about this? why is it even a mistake to purchase something on eBay? I dont know what to suggest, but I can't really just suggest to learn from your "mistake".. I'd call the police or something, it certainly can't hurt.

 

[Rock Hydra]

Originally posted by: Sheepathon
Murder is the only solution.

Agreed.

 

[Ime]

Who the hell would be stupid enough to buy a gift card off Ebay? Geez...

 

[Baked]

LOL @ the mirror.

 

[Kelemvor]

Originally posted by: Ranger X

Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
If you paid using PayPal and your Credit Card, just dispute the charge.

If something sounds too good to be true....

The OP said it's been months since the transaction. Will cc companies reverse charges that go that far back? That's strange that PayPal will over refund $160. I thought it was usually all or nothing but I guess I was wrong.

eBay is the breeding ground for scammers and it's perfect for them because ...
1. So many eBay buyers are stupid
2. Unless eBay is facing a financial loss, they will only put in the minimal effort in helping you
3. Scammers can do it and get away with it

Depends on the CC company. Back in the CyberRebate days, I disputed something at least a coupl emonths afterwards and had no problems. But I'm sure they are all different. Doesn't hurt to try.

 

[Dunbar]

Why would you buy a gift card on ebay that is only discounted 13%? You could get that by shopping around online.

 

[robphelan]

definitely talk/email the police... i did that about a scam going on here in san antonio... a Captain called me the next morning...

said they have busted several Ebayers who never sent merchandise or sent incorrect merchandise. i was really surprised about that

 

[vital]

man you risked $600 to save $80. should have just saved by browsing the hotdeal section

 

[remagavon]

Wow they limit it to $500? I'm going to have a $500 giftcard for CUSA to sell soon and that's going to look fishy.

 

[GoPackGo]

Originally posted by: remagavon
Wow they limit it to $500? I'm going to have a $500 giftcard for CUSA to sell soon and that's going to look fishy.

List it and when you sell it...send it and all will be fine

 

[Fraggable]

if you used a CC, do a chargeback. that's what they're for. If the seller can't prove shipment then you get it back.

If not, good luck dealing with payapl.

 

[simms]

Originally posted by: Fraggable
if you used a CC, do a chargeback. that's what they're for. If the seller can't prove shipment then you get it back.

If not, good luck dealing with payapl.