Paid merchant, 3 mths later = no goods

[Slickone]

I paid an auto salvage/scrap metal company through Yahoo PayDirect for some wheels for my truck. When I can get them on the phone, which is rare since they hardly answered the phone, they keep saying they're just behind in shipments, so stupidly I waited and waited. It's now been 3 months, so I have to do something. What steps should I take first? I know I've waited a long time (no flames). A week or two ago they started using an answering machine so never answer the phone any more.
BTW, here's some of their info:

Brian Olea
alhwy41scrapnauto@yahoo.com
also
partscar@bellsouth.net


SEND YOUR PAYMENT ALONG WITH A COPY OF THIS E-MAIL TO:

HWY 41 SCRAP METAL

2658 AL HWY 41

SELMA, AL

36701

PHONE#334-872-9393 OFFICE

334-872-9398 FAX

AND TOLL FREE WITHIN THE US 1-866-311-9393

FOR QUICKEST DELIVERY, SEND WESTERN UNION TO SAME ABOVE INFORMATION

60 DAY WARRANTY ON ALL PARTS

IF SOMEONE SAYS THAT THEY HAVE IT FOR LESS, WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO BEAT THEIR PRICE.

SORRY NO COD'S OR PERSONAL CHECKS

CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED AT https://paydirect.yahoo.com

alhwy41scrapnauto

ALL CREDIT CARDS WILL BE CHARGED A 20.00 SERVICE FEE TO COVER YAHOO PAY DIRECT

 

[DurocShark]

ALL CREDIT CARDS WILL BE CHARGED A 20.00 SERVICE FEE TO COVER YAHOO PAY DIRECT

:Q

 

[MacBaine]

Originally posted by: DurocShark

ALL CREDIT CARDS WILL BE CHARGED A 20.00 SERVICE FEE TO COVER YAHOO PAY DIRECT

:Q

Double-WTF

 

[HappyFace]

Originally posted by: DurocShark

ALL CREDIT CARDS WILL BE CHARGED A 20.00 SERVICE FEE TO COVER YAHOO PAY DIRECT

:Q

I would never buy from a company who has such a policy. $20 for using PayDirect!?

 

[Slickone]

Originally posted by: DurocShark

ALL CREDIT CARDS WILL BE CHARGED A 20.00 SERVICE FEE TO COVER YAHOO PAY DIRECT

:Q

Yeah, but they didn't charge me the fee when I said I wouldn't pay it. Maybe them not charging it without arguing should have been a red flag.

 

[Slickone]

Bump. What should I do?

 

[Azraele]

Oh dear. Hopefully someone will have some idea as to what you can do.

Best of luck to you.

 

[StageLeft]

Honestly I'd call your CC company and say you never received the goods. You could try and contact these guys yet again and tell them you want a refund but if all they are is an answering machine I'd just fib to your CC company and say you tried to refute the transaction (because I'm sure if you really try it will never happen or take too long).

I see it's in Selma, AL. Maybe I can make them a visit!

 

[T3C]

good luck man!

 

[yukichigai]

TrollHunters

Not exactly their department but close enough. You have his contact info and Yahoo will have records, so talk to Yahoo about getting the records, then call the Alabama State Attorney's office and ask to be connected to the D.A. You could also talk to the Selma Police.

 

[Mill]

Just tried calling their "office" and got a voicemail. It sounds very fishy whenever a merchant wants Western Union, or charges a large fee for using a credit card. I will do some digging and see what I can find out about them.

 

[Mill]

Switchboard says the number is/was a Residence. I wouldn't doubt if there isn't an actual business.

Have you called the Selma Police? You might also need to contact our AG(Bill Pryor). If you need any Alabama resources e-mail or PM me.

 

[cavemanmoron]

Originally posted by: yukichigai
TrollHunters

Not exactly their department but close enough. You have his contact info and Yahoo will have records, so talk to Yahoo about getting the records, then call the Alabama State Attorney's office and ask to be connected to the D.A. You could also talk to the Selma Police.

 

[Slickone]

Thanks for the tips. TrollHunters = new to me. Good info. The Western Union thing seemed odd to me too.

Skoorb, I would at least like to know if there's a scrap metal/salvage business at the address I listed.

Millennium, thanks for the offers. I noticed the address for the phone # on the switchboard link you gave is different than the one I posted.

So call the police first or AG (or DA)?

 

[StageLeft]

If it wasn't too far I'd take a drive out to see, like you said, whether there is a shop out there in the first place but selma is 85-90 miles from my zip according to mapquest

I'd call the po-lice before the AG but after the police I'd just call your credit card company...in fact I'd almost just call the CC company first and dispute the charges. I think you should be able to get the money back hopefully.

 

[Slickone]

Yeah, the AG actually told me call the police (DA). I do plan to call the CC company first though (didn't have time today).