My dad got scammed on a auction site... any advice?

[Dulanic]

Ok first off my dad is kind of new to the whole online buying/selling scene and I told him if anything questionable came up to ask me first, but alas he didn't. He buys and sells fish online on a site called Aquabid... he has done so many times without a issue. He ended up winning a auction with someone who had 0 feedback, I warned him about this, then the guy said he can't take paypal, only cash... warned him about this too. He sent a Post Office MO for $650+ to this guy, and as soon as he did all contact was cut off, the guy no longer responds to emails etc.. So what options do I have? The PD where the MO was sent? What else?

And yes before the trolls come in, yes it is his own fault for not listening to me and asking me before he did this, but he is new to all this and made a mistake, he REALLY can't afford losing this money, he is on disability pay and doesnt make much. I FVCKING HATE THEIVES! All he really has is the guys email (yahoo addy, which was another sign it was a scam) and the name and address he sent the MO to.

 

[mugs]

Bastards.

Edit: Do you have the guy's address, or was it a PO box? What city/state is it?

 

[MacBaine]

Contact his town's PD, and also contact the PO, because it was a postal money order, it's considered mail fraud and is a federal crime. Talk to somebody at the PD first and see what they want you to do.

 

[MacBaine]

PS - What state/area does the badguy live in?

 

[gwlam12]

Can't you call the cops in that area? If you have a log of everything that happened, maybe you can nail him. I'm no expert though. I'm just spitting out advice that I've read on this board from previous issues.

 

[brigden]

A fool and his money are soon parted.

 

[welst10]

buying fish? are we talking about live fish? How do you ship them?

 

[Nocturnal]

Get in touch with the troll hunters here, I'm certain they'll be happy to assist you even though the transaction did not take place here. I know they've helped numerous people before. Minendo and Roger come off the top of my head as the first two to contact. You can also try their website, I think it is www.trollhunters.com. Or check Minendo's sig, it's in there.

 

[MacBaine]

Originally posted by: welst10
buying fish? are we talking about live fish? How do you ship them?

Put them in an ice tray and freeze them, then ship them in cube form.

 

[Dulanic]

Originally posted by: welst10
buying fish? are we talking about live fish? How do you ship them?

Yes live fish, they get shipped next day air usually by Airborne Express.

Anyways this is the city it was sent to... crowley LA 70526

 

[welst10]

Originally posted by: MacBaine

Originally posted by: welst10
buying fish? are we talking about live fish? How do you ship them?

Put them in an ice tray and freeze them, then ship them in cube form.

For real? They won't die after freeze/defreeze process?

 

[MacBaine]

Originally posted by: welst10

Originally posted by: MacBaine

Originally posted by: welst10
buying fish? are we talking about live fish? How do you ship them?

Put them in an ice tray and freeze them, then ship them in cube form.

For real? They won't die after freeze/defreeze process?

No, fish are cold blooded so they just go to sleep. When they arrive you just drop the ice cubes into some cool water and stir them around for a while. Eventually they'll thaw out and won't know what happened.

 

[Dulanic]

Usually dont freeze them, just get shipped, usually some chemicals are added to the water to help them make it, they usually make it fine unless they get thrown around like they were in a tornado. If it's cold out they just sleep and wake up once you slowly warm them up. These fish wouldnt make it with it that cold... their mostly tropical, they can survive rather cold temps however.

 

[MacBaine]

Originally posted by: Dulanic
Usually dont freeze them, just get shipped, usually some chemicals are added to the water to help them make it, they usually make it fine unless they get thrown around like they were in a tornado. If it's cold out they just sleep and wake up once you slowly warm them up. These fish wouldnt make it with it that cold... their mostly tropical, they can survive rather cold temps however.

Whoa dude... I was just joking the whole time... :Q

 

[Dulanic]

Originally posted by: MacBaine

Originally posted by: Dulanic
Usually dont freeze them, just get shipped, usually some chemicals are added to the water to help them make it, they usually make it fine unless they get thrown around like they were in a tornado. If it's cold out they just sleep and wake up once you slowly warm them up. These fish wouldnt make it with it that cold... their mostly tropical, they can survive rather cold temps however.

Whoa dude... I was just joking the whole time... :Q

You were closer then you thought then hehe, dont actually freeze them, but we have gotten them in during the winter when the water their in drops down to a good 40F or lower, and they make it fine, they just basically hibernate and shutdown till they warm up.

 

[MacBaine]

Originally posted by: Dulanic

Originally posted by: MacBaine

Originally posted by: Dulanic
Usually dont freeze them, just get shipped, usually some chemicals are added to the water to help them make it, they usually make it fine unless they get thrown around like they were in a tornado. If it's cold out they just sleep and wake up once you slowly warm them up. These fish wouldnt make it with it that cold... their mostly tropical, they can survive rather cold temps however.

Whoa dude... I was just joking the whole time... :Q

You were closer then you thought then hehe, dont actually freeze them, but we have gotten them in during the winter when the water their in drops down to a good 40F or lower, and they make it fine, they just basically hibernate and shutdown till they warm up.

lol.. I was just picturing a punch bowl with differend colored fish-cubes floating around.

 

[yhelothar]

Originally posted by: MacBaine

Originally posted by: Dulanic
Usually dont freeze them, just get shipped, usually some chemicals are added to the water to help them make it, they usually make it fine unless they get thrown around like they were in a tornado. If it's cold out they just sleep and wake up once you slowly warm them up. These fish wouldnt make it with it that cold... their mostly tropical, they can survive rather cold temps however.

Whoa dude... I was just joking the whole time... :Q

Heh I was wondering how that would be possible. The innards should break ans sever from detracting and expanding.

 

[MacBaine]

In any case, I think this thread got hijacked

 

[Conky]

Collecting disability and he's buying $650 worth of fish in a single purchase from a new trader? Cry me an entitlement river. :roll:

People on the dole need to respect the free money they get.

 

[Dulanic]

Originally posted by: Crazyfool
Collecting disability and he's buying $650 worth of fish in a single purchase from a new trader? Cry me an entitlement river. :roll:

People on the dole need to respect the free money they get.

Hey how about you know what your talking about before you talk? He breeds them and sells them for money, he uses this to supplement his disability income, he could never make it without it.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Dulanic

Originally posted by: Crazyfool
Collecting disability and he's buying $650 worth of fish in a single purchase from a new trader? Cry me an entitlement river. :roll:

People on the dole need to respect the free money they get.

Hey how about you know what your talking about before you talk? He breeds them and sells them for money, he uses this to supplement his disability income, he could never make it without it.

Does he watch them... you know?

I hope it works out for him, maybe Chaotic42 can go down there and break the guy's kneecaps, he lives in Louisiana.

 

[CWebb04]

maybe if a group of LA ATers go down to pay him a visit he'll pay up

 

[RussianSoldier]

Originally posted by: brigden
A fool and his money are soon parted.

that's incorrect, it should be:

A fool and his money are soon partying.

 

[Dulanic]

Filed a complain with the USPS and FBI, I checked his other auctions, he had over $4000 in auctions all end the same day, I think my dad got off easy with $678.... someone else bid over $2000 on another auction.

 

[Jzero]

Hopefully he saved the receipt portion of the money order. That should have instructions on seeking retribution when you get scammed.
Aquabid is a pretty reputable place.