Getting screwed via mail purchase for first time

[PlinkIt]

Well in had a ton of no problem purchases and sales via online forums for a long time so I guess my luck finally ran out

Made a purchase on another forum and guy didn't send half the crap we agreed upon in the messages back and forth, plus rifle shows up with more damage than presented

Used PayPal goods and services to pay the prick so trying to file a claim through them, no idea if that'll be beneficial...

If anybody has suggestion or experiences I'd like to hear them

Thanks

 

[ZEROGUY]

I had a similar situation, Pay Pal made it right.

Looks like your on the right path, I would stay quiet and not dox or bash the guy online until the dust settles. Then make sure to let everyone know how the deal went down.

 

[powdahound76]

That sucks big time.

Good advice above.

 

[Strykervet]

Good thing you used Paypal! I also only deal with active members that have been around for a while, usually they don't want to trash their name on here, and I also use Ebay with good results. Now you know why I don't do "Friends and Family" unless I'm GIVING money though! F&F is GREAT --if you aren't expecting anything for it. Don't understand why he'd pull this shit, knowing how they operate. Maybe he doesn't know how they operate. Maybe he figured you would be okay with what you got?

Typically the seller will want you to pay the 3% but I usually work something out with 'em as generally there's room in the price to work with. If not, I go elsewhere.

If you used a CC and Paypal, it may even be two layers of protection, I don't know though. I do know Paypal will make it right if you can prove what you were paying for vs. what you got. Make sure you have the original sales ad. Go copy that. Also, when you buy stuff in the future, in that area where it says what the money is for, fill that out in detail, especially any specific numbers and conditions.

Make sure you call Paypal and follow up regularly. Try to get as much info from them on what to do and how to avoid problems in the future. Make the rifle the big issue, it may speed up the refund process because he can't fix that or make it good. If you get a half order, they typically give the seller a chance to make that up.

Good luck, I feel for you, I know that sucks. If he's on here, you gotta let us know though (I agree with the fellow above, wait until you get resolution). Rename this thread and/or revive it when you're done, tell your story (that way those of us that posted will get notified). Because I sure don't wanna make the mistake of doing business with him and I'm sure I'm speaking for most, if not all, members on this site.

 

[346ci]

Gaypal is now pro 2A?

 

[PlinkIt]

Glad to hear PP made it right

Yea, I normally don't do F&F unless it's a member I've delt with before or someone I've seen on this forum for a long while

Didn't have CC in it, PayPal was linked to account.

Original sales ad it what the guy was sending me, not all the extras we agreed on. Original ad was on a d different forum, I have no idea if the guy if on this forum to be honest.

PP is certainly not 2A friendly still and will lock up the money for a few more months just for good measure if we have to push it up the pole

Did find out I can file mail fraud for the whole thing as well!




Talked to the guy over text for a while and think we came to an agreement. He is supposed to be sending other items to me Tuesday and a refund for damages. I've agreed to close the PayPal complaint and not file mail fraud on the guy. At this time it looks like he may have just made a mistake and is trying to make it right, his original reply made me think he was trying to screw me though... Perhaps he thought I was just trying to screw him?...hmmm or maybe just caught him while he was in the middle of something else .. who knows

I guess I'll see next week if he keeps to his word

 

[2ndamendfan]

Here is the deal.
You are either a honest, honorable person or you are not. He might be trying to save face because you have him cornered and are smarter than most he has scammed. Fact is unless he had a lobotomy between the time you agree to the deal and the time he packed up items for shipment he 100% knew he was fucking you over.

You dont put "Mustang GT 5.0 coyote for sale " up and then claim ignorance when the buyer finds out it is a "2.3 Ecoboost"

 

[Dirty D]

I use USPS money orders for two reasons:
1. PayPal is anti 2a and will NEVER get a penny from me.
2. If I get ripped off then the postal inspector gets involved.

 

[308pirate]

FUCK giving PayPal access to any of my accounts. Even one setup only for them.

If someone won't take a legit credit card or USPS MO, then they can sell it to someone else.

 

[MtnCreek]

I’ve been screwed twice, both muzzle loader gunbroker purchases. First was this Spring. Unfired muzzle loader showed up Heavily rusted (ruined). Seller made it right. Second time was yesterday. The lock is fucked up. I’ll probably keep it and fix it. I should know better than to buy used muzzle loaders sight unseen.

 

[PlinkIt]

Well I've preferred not to use PayPal for the most part, but it's what the majority of sellers / buyers I run into on various forums seem to want to use... This instance I was trying to meet the guy face to face as we are in the same state... Just completely opposite ends of it.

So those of you using USPS money orders...

Experiences with resolving when a purchase went to hell? So PayPal works as... report problem and they lock up the funds, then after so many days it goes to PayPal for review if you haven't gotten it sorted out... Then I guess someone there decides who is in the right?....

With USPS money order, I guess I would go file a claim with the post master for mail fraud?.. Anybody who's been through that process care to explain how it went?

 

[TRP173]

I really have doubt about the USPS helping but would love to hear how it has worked for situations like this.

 

[DOA]

I have had Paypal tie money to my FB account and pull money out for ads that I didn't purchase. Closed FB and Paypal and won't use them again. I have never gotten "taken" in online transactions luckily and take personal check or MO only, een if I have to lose a sale. I ask for personal phone numbers and will typically call just to get a feel for the person.
Paypal I guess is fine for some until they get a chargeback and don't receive the same (or broken) item back. Or, they empty their paypal/checking account and Paypal can't remove funds to return to you.
With personal check/MO its going to the Postmaster and filing a mail fraud charge. Also, I have heard people calling the perps local PD, finding who their family/friends are and dropping a dime on them. Basically, shaming them in to complying with the transaction. I suppose doxxing them over the internet might work too.

 

[Rthur]

Never used PP on my purchases here.
USPS money order on all/most.
If I'm dealing with a "newer" guy I try to vet them through other members.

R

 

[hic28]

Won’t PayPal shut your account down if they find out you used it to purchase a firearm?

 

[PlinkIt]

Won’t PayPal shut your account down if they find out you used it to purchase a firearm?

Wouldn't care if they did, as long as I got my money back..... Be a good excuse not to use them anymore lol

 

[Sean the Nailer]

So, if I'm understanding things properly, you're here complaining about a purchase that you made elsewhere, from a member elsewhere, and PayPal was used as a funds transfer?

And things didn't go according to 'original plan' so you start a thread on it here?

There have been enough mandates here, regarding things such-as-this HERE, and "what NOT to do".... and now we're importing from elsewhere? I hope this works out well for you.

 

[Strykervet]

I use USPS money orders for two reasons:
1. PayPal is anti 2a and will NEVER get a penny from me.
2. If I get ripped off then the postal inspector gets involved.

Yeah, I got a feeling the first time you go through that process you'll change your mind. You may make a preemptive call just to see how that works. I called 'em once to get something done like that, I can't recall the details, but it's not what you think. Also you'll wanna pay for the best tracking/shipping option they have, plus the insurance because IF you get anything back at all, it's likely gonna be your insurance. However, since most people are ignorant about what USPS will and won't do and about the process in general, you can use it to your advantage as a threat. But that's about all it'd good for. In the event you had perfect receipts and did it all right, you may get it resolved within the same year. Maybe.

FUCK giving PayPal access to any of my accounts. Even one setup only for them.

If someone won't take a legit credit card or USPS MO, then they can sell it to someone else.

Dude, if we ever do business, I'll be HAPPY to take a PO Money order OR a cashier's check, both are as good as cash. When I buy though, I only accept methods of payment that ensure the transaction; so in this respect you only need the account to RECIEVE money. If I could take CC, I'd be glad to do it, but at the moment Paypal is the only one that does what it does. Are they 2A? Probably not, I don't give a fuck. I don't buy or sell firearms through them anyway, just everything else.

Seriously, some of you really need to get up to speed on what your rights are, what you can and can't do, what they will or won't do, and how much of a hassle and how long will your method take. Because some of you obviously have a plan, but have never had to implement that plan and thus have no idea of how it'll work or work out. I think if you gave it a dry run, you'd see what I mean.

I hate Paypal too, but until something better comes along it's all there is. Bottom line is I've tried 'em all and this is the only one I'm comfortable with using with strangers. Plus most folks here have one.

 

[Redmanss]

Using PayPal for a firearm transaction, thinking they will protect you if the deal goes sour, is as misguided as using packaging twine for a fall harness.

 

[308pirate]

I simply will not pay with Paypal out of my own bank account. I will use paypal if there's an option to pay with my credit card. But if the seller isn't set up for that. they can forget about my money.

I don't make a living out of selling and buying on line so I couldn't give one single fuck if Paypal is the only option for those who do.

 

[Downtown]

I've missed some great online deals because the seller didn't wish a USPS Money Order. I understand it's a pain to deal with. I just cannot bring myself to use PayPal. Kind of like shopping at Dicks. Just don't wish support them. Oh well, I buy enough stuff anyway.

 

[Maggot]

Well in had a ton of no problem purchases and sales via online forums for a long time so I guess my luck finally ran out

Made a purchase on another forum and guy didn't send half the crap we agreed upon in the messages back and forth, plus rifle shows up with more damage than presented

Used PayPal goods and services to pay the prick so trying to file a claim through them, no idea if that'll be beneficial...

If anybody has suggestion or experiences I'd like to hear them

Thanks

O
I buy and sell a lot of audio gear on line, always use Paypal linked to my Amex card. They will take care of you.

 

[Maggot]

Glad to hear PP made it right

Yea, I normally don't do F&F unless it's a member I've delt with before or someone I've seen on this forum for a long while

Didn't have CC in it, PayPal was linked to account.

Original sales ad it what the guy was sending me, not all the extras we agreed on. Original ad was on a d different forum, I have no idea if the guy if on this forum to be honest.

PP is certainly not 2A friendly still and will lock up the money for a few more months just for good measure if we have to push it up the pole

Did find out I can file mail fraud for the whole thing as well!




Talked to the guy over text for a while and think we came to an agreement. He is supposed to be sending other items to me Tuesday and a refund for damages. I've agreed to close the PayPal complaint and not file mail fraud on the guy. At this time it looks like he may have just made a mistake and is trying to make it right, his original reply made me think he was trying to screw me though... Perhaps he thought I was just trying to screw him?...hmmm or maybe just caught him while he was in the middle of something else .. who knows

I guess I'll see next week if he keeps to his word

Dont close anything until youre satisfied.

 

[PlinkIt]

So, if I'm understanding things properly, you're here complaining about a purchase that you made elsewhere, from a member elsewhere, and PayPal was used as a funds transfer?

And things didn't go according to 'original plan' so you start a thread on it here?

There have been enough mandates here, regarding things such-as-this HERE, and "what NOT to do".... and now we're importing from elsewhere? I hope this works out well for you.

Somewhat.. was more looking for insight

Yes & yes

And I agree, I've read a ton of them. Did what a huge majority of those posts said to do for the last several years actually (most of that being the reason the guy might be making it right now when he originally pretty much told me to eat a dick before I started using the items I had gotten from those posts as good practice)...

Was looking for insight or experience on best courses of action from members of a site I've never had problems with thinking someone might brain storm another good method of how to pursue the prick, or might have had experience with how to clean the deal up

Seemed like the best group of people to ask to me...

But in lieu of recent events... Maybe I'm a dumbass lol

 

[PlinkIt]

O
I buy and sell a lot of audio gear on line, always use Paypal linked to my Amex card. They will take care of you.

Good to know, figure they might lock the accounts up for a year because it was Firearms related, but hoping they still review the whole thing and judge it as they would any other case even if they close the account afterwards.

 

[PlinkIt]

Dont close anything until youre satisfied.

Yea definitely!

I might be dumb, but I'm not that dumb lol

 

[ShtrRdy]

Several years ago I bought a scope from a guy on Armslist. I payed for it with a postal money order. He didn't ship me any sort of scope and didn't reply any longer. I had to contact my local law enforcment who filed a report ant then sent the info on to the location where the funds were mailed to. As it turns out this guy had scammed several other people. In the end he was convicted and spent a year and a half in jail. Even though I paid with a postal money order the postal inspector didn't get involved.

 

[TRP173]

Several years ago I bought a scope from a guy on Armslist. I payed for it with a postal money order. He didn't ship me any sort of scope and didn't reply any longer. I had to contact my local law enforcment who filed a report ant then sent the info on to the location where the funds were mailed to. As it turns out this guy had scammed several other people. In the end he was convicted and spent a year and a half in jail. Even though I paid with a postal money order the postal inspector didn't get involved.

I have heard similar stories about Postal Inspectors over the years and have always wondered just what it is they do.

 

[ShtrRdy]

I have heard similar stories about Postal Inspectors over the years and have always wondered just what it is they do.

I think they're only interested in the BIG crimes.

 

[TRP173]

I think they're only interested in the BIG crimes.

That is about what I was thinking, unless I stole a stamp.

 

[DannC]

I was going to post a thread in regards to a SH member with only three post, two of which were about a scope I had for sale. He wanted to use PP with me paying the fees, I agreed after a phone conversation with my understanding that the fee offered protection to the buyer and seller and was told that the fee was only one percent of purchase price. It is 2.9% or in my case $40.00.
It does not protect the seller only the buyer. He placed the funds in my PP account and a hold was placed on the funds. Not knowing why there was a hold I contacted him. I was told that when the item was shipped and a tracking number was issued that PP would release the funds. I shpped package and sent him a text with tracking number. Twenty four hours later funds still unavailable. Sent three text messages asking him to contact PP to release funds without any response.
Contacted PP online to only be given generic causes for holding funds. They finally said that my account was supicious because I was an infrequent user and the funds would be on hold for twenty one days after delivery and no dispute was filed they would remove the block. To me this is PP policy to hold a significant amount of meoney owed me to put in an inerest bearing acccount for there profit and to force people to be a more frequent user of their services.
A red flag that I only became aware of after shipment that it was going to an apartment. He also sent a text to have the package deliver to a FedX office and held for pickup, another red flag.
I stopped delivery and had package returned to me, after five days i have not received my package, it is in FedX system and delivery date has changed three times.
He has filed a complaint against me for non delivery of product. PP in their tens of pages of disclaimers of them not being responsible to either the buyer or seller for any financial loss, say that if the dispute is not settled in 180 days the funds will be released to the buyer. What if the buyer has buyers remores or uses the scope for twenty one days and claims it was defective. PP is fully on the side of the buyer.
For those that have a no problems with PP that is great. To the infrequent user beware of their policies. To hell with PP I have canceled my account and will never deal with them again.

 

[W54/XM-388]

As a seller, the ways to get screwed over are near endless and if the "buyer" is looking to scam you, pretty most things other than them showing up with a pile of cash (that you verify is good cash and not fake) will leave you hanging. Postal Money orders are fine but only if you go to the Post Office and cash them for cash right away (which can be very hard as they usually don't have that much cash). You might be able to be safe going and cashing a cashier's check for cash at the bank, but only if it's a bank you have no banking relationship with at all.

 

[TRP173]

I have taken USPS money orders to my bank and never had a problem getting cash.

 

[powdahound76]

Most banks will cash a USPS MO.
Having blown a few grand on here from time to time and sold some nice items I always use them. I do use due diligence and usually only work with members of more than a week or two.

 

[TRP173]

Most banks will cash a USPS MO.
Having blown a few grand on here from time to time and sold some nice items I always use them. I do use due diligence and usually only work with members of more than a week or two.

Never hurts to be cautious.

 

[Redmanss]

I have taken USPS money orders to my bank and never had a problem getting cash.

I do online banking and cash USPS money orders through their phone app, with funds available immediately every time. The one time I took it to my bank's ATM (even at staffed branches, they don't have traditional tellers) is the only time they placed a 24 hour hold on the full amount of funds. I assume that delay was giving them long enough to pull the documents from the machine and give them a secondary verification.

 

[308pirate]

I have taken USPS money orders to my bank and never had a problem getting cash.

+1

 

[308pirate]

I was going to post a thread in regards to a SH member with only three post, two of which were about a scope I had for sale. He wanted to use PP with me paying the fees, I agreed after a phone conversation with my understanding that the fee offered protection to the buyer and seller and was told that the fee was only one percent of purchase price. It is 2.9% or in my case $40.00.
It does not protect the seller only the buyer. He placed the funds in my PP account and a hold was placed on the funds. Not knowing why there was a hold I contacted him. I was told that when the item was shipped and a tracking number was issued that PP would release the funds. I shpped package and sent him a text with tracking number. Twenty four hours later funds still unavailable. Sent three text messages asking him to contact PP to release funds without any response.
Contacted PP online to only be given generic causes for holding funds. They finally said that my account was supicious because I was an infrequent user and the funds would be on hold for twenty one days after delivery and no dispute was filed they would remove the block. To me this is PP policy to hold a significant amount of meoney owed me to put in an inerest bearing acccount for there profit and to force people to be a more frequent user of their services.
A red flag that I only became aware of after shipment that it was going to an apartment. He also sent a text to have the package deliver to a FedX office and held for pickup, another red flag.
I stopped delivery and had package returned to me, after five days i have not received my package, it is in FedX system and delivery date has changed three times.
He has filed a complaint against me for non delivery of product. PP in their tens of pages of disclaimers of them not being responsible to either the buyer or seller for any financial loss, say that if the dispute is not settled in 180 days the funds will be released to the buyer. What if the buyer has buyers remores or uses the scope for twenty one days and claims it was defective. PP is fully on the side of the buyer.
For those that have a no problems with PP that is great. To the infrequent user beware of their policies. To hell with PP I have canceled my account and will never deal with them again.

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why I do not use Paypal to send money to anyone.

 

[W54/XM-388]

That's because

I have taken USPS money orders to my bank and never had a problem getting cash.

That's because nobody every tried to recall them on you.
If you took it to your bank, it is linked to your account by default and if somebody really wanted to scam you and started claiming that you did something wrong, there is a chance it can come back to bite your account.

 

[TRP173]

That's because


That's because nobody every tried to recall them on you.
If you took it to your bank, it is linked to your account by default and if somebody really wanted to scam you and started claiming that you did something wrong, there is a chance it can come back to bite your account.

Have you had that happen?

 

[DannC]

PayPal sucks. I have my scope back in my possession and have repeatedly used both their on line services and spoken to two CS representatives to release the funds to the buyer. They have not done so. I now have spoken to the buyer multiple time and he has had no success either. PP will not acknowledge the repeated request to refund his money. They tell me to go to their Resolution Center and enter my request to refund his money as I have done on four occasions. There is no link of the multable responses of my request.
I now believe that the buyer was not at fault and it is only PP blocking the funds for their profit. They want me to give them the last four digits of my SS number, DL number and CC other info that I don't give out to anyone.
I think it is time to call the FTC and file a compliant.

 

[DannC]

More of how PP really sucks. Called this morning to speak to CS again and told that there was a two hour wait time. Left my number for call back. Just received call and the rep said he could not hear me and hung up, but I could hear him perfectly even though hia broken english made him hard to understand. Call lasted about tens seconds before he hung up.