YAIGST (I got scammed)

[altonb1]

Originally posted by: SmoochyTX

Originally posted by: tefleming

Originally posted by: SmoochyTX
So you're going to file a small claims case concerning an illegal transaction? That should go over well. Not well for you or for her BTW.

You're stupid (naive at the best) and you'll have no luck in small claims court. If you want your money back, contact her employer and cause all kinds of hell. I believe embarrassment to be your only hope.

BTW, where do you live where you think you can buy a cable company's box and think it's legit? Around here, they only rent them and you have to turn them in at the end of your service.

There's no need to insult me. I assumed that since you can rent one (for like 7.95 a month) it didn't seem too illogical that someone might sell one (much as they do with Cable Modems).

I bought in good faith what I thought she was in good faith selling. She was not acting in good faith. So, please, don't accuse me of anything illegal.

I now know that you cannot buy a cable box (at least for use with Time Warner) but I wouldn't say that's exactly common knowledge.

I don't mean to insult you but come on! This is common knowledge. I could rent a car but that doesn't mean I can sell it.

You bought in good faith because of her good faith. She was selling something illegal for sale and you bought an illegal product. Small claims courts don't handle illegal sales. That's for the criminal courts. Suing this person for this will only confirm illegal activity and target you and her for this. Her acting in no good faith does nothing for your case. Example, try to sue for her providing you "fake" marijuana. Not going to work.

Naivete is no excuse. You've learned a lesson. Forget the lawsuit. Embarrass her at work and try to get your money back that way and then pay for your own cable the right way in the future.

You can't use marijuana as an example when it is illegal to possess at all. :roll:

It is not illegal to possess a cable box, nor is it illegal to sell--assuming you OWN the cable box. Digital cable makes this issue basically obsolete since the cable company has to provide the stream to a specific mac address, but you used to go to any electronics store and buy a "cable box" that would tune to the upper channels that standard VHF tvs could not receive. I still have one somewhere, I'm sure--it simply took the cable signal and allowed you to tune in 'cable" channels--it did not unscramble anything as it wasn't a "black box" device. It just simply allowed you to watch cable channels on televisions that were not cable ready.

The OP definitely has a case for small claims court.

 

[KK]

smoochy must not get out too often.

 

[PokerGuy]

Originally posted by: SmoochyTX
You're stupid (naive at the best) and you'll have no luck in small claims court. If you want your money back, contact her employer and cause all kinds of hell. I believe embarrassment to be your only hope.

IYou bought in good faith because of her good faith. She was selling something illegal for sale and you bought an illegal product. Small claims courts don't handle illegal sales. That's for the criminal courts. Suing this person for this will only confirm illegal activity and target you and her for this.

What the heck kind of nonsense is that??

This is exactly the kind of thing small claims courts are for. The OP had no reason to believe the item was stolen or otherwise unusable. The seller sold it under a false premise, he's going to go to court to recover his money. "Illegal product"?? Since when is a cable box illegal to own? The example you provided (pot sale) is completely unrelated, since the 'retail' or consumer purchase of it is prima facie illegal -- that's not the case for a cable box.

Unless OP had a good reason to believe he was purchasing stolen merchandise (which he doesn't), then he can go to court to recover his money.

Incidentally, while DirecTV now only leases their equipment to customers, I actually *own* several directv DVR boxes, one of which I'm about to sell. Nothing wrong or improper about that.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: PokerGuy

Originally posted by: SmoochyTX
You're stupid (naive at the best) and you'll have no luck in small claims court. If you want your money back, contact her employer and cause all kinds of hell. I believe embarrassment to be your only hope.

IYou bought in good faith because of her good faith. She was selling something illegal for sale and you bought an illegal product. Small claims courts don't handle illegal sales. That's for the criminal courts. Suing this person for this will only confirm illegal activity and target you and her for this.

What the heck kind of nonsense is that??

This is exactly the kind of thing small claims courts are for. The OP had no reason to believe the item was stolen or otherwise unusable. The seller sold it under a false premise, he's going to go to court to recover his money. "Illegal product"?? Since when is a cable box illegal to own? The example you provided (pot sale) is completely unrelated, since the 'retail' or consumer purchase of it is prima facie illegal -- that's not the case for a cable box.

Unless OP had a good reason to believe he was purchasing stolen merchandise (which he doesn't), then he can go to court to recover his money.

Incidentally, while DirecTV now only leases their equipment to customers, I actually *own* several directv DVR boxes, one of which I'm about to sell. Nothing wrong or improper about that.

QFT, call her employer and make non-proven accusations like this nut is suggesting and see yourself in court for slander.

Don't listen to the tinfoil beanie people on the internet. If you think you have a case take it to small claims and if you are right you should win.

Collecting is another matter though...but once that is set you can now try to collect legally.