February 7 - was told items would be shipped next day. and that was the last communication from him
I have then sent several PMs, and emails with no response. Someone told me he may have gone out of town on 2/8 - But, should be back by now. Looks like he lives in Richmond, VA area, and goes to school there.
I’m have bought so many things off here, and sold just as much. First time having communication breakdown, and items never arrive. Sucks.
I had a similar experience. It was only a $5 or $10 gift card that he claimed he sent but never arrived. And then promised a refund that never came. Given the low value it honestly wasn’t worth my time fighting him anymore but needless to say I won’t be making any future purchases from him
For future reference:
When paying by paypal as a “gift”, you are charged the service fees. I’ve started paying for transactions as a purchase, and just upping the amount I pay the seller to include the service fees (I let them know that I would like to do the transaction this way). Both methods, the buyer is paying the service fees to paypal, but by upping your payment amount and sending it as a purchase, you have buyer protection for the transaction.
I am posting here out of principal more than financial loss. My purchase wasn’t for a lot of money. But, enough that I’ll post a buyer beware. Looks like he’s a college kid. Wish he had a better way to come by $125 than rip off someone online.
When will people learn to stop paying as gift? Buck up & pay the fee, or don’t expect people to feel bad for you when you get screwed & have no recourse. There are plenty of threads on here about people paying as ‘gift’ & getting boned, same for the majority of the swap groups on facebook.
I don’t really care if you feel bad for me. This was a PSA for others potentially buying from him. If you want to ignore it, buy from this seller, pay the fee and then have the hassle of a PayPal dispute, have at it. Otherwise just take this as what it was meant to be-a heads up. I never would have even posted this but-for OPs similar experience.
For future reference:
When paying by paypal as a “gift”, you are charged the service fees. I’ve started paying for transactions as a purchase, and just upping the amount I pay the seller to include the service fees (I let them know that I would like to do the transaction this way). Both methods, the buyer is paying the service fees to paypal, but by upping your payment amount and sending it as a purchase, you have buyer protection for the transaction.
I always do this. Now I don’t even ask the seller. No way I’m seding “Gifts”. I much rather pay for fees on my end, but have buyer protection.
I don’t buy extended warranties, i don’t always insure packages when i ship… So, I don’t always eat the cost of paypal fees when i buy online. I understand the risk, and I’m not asking for someone to start a gofundme account to help with the financial burden my family is experiencing from my loss of under $200.
I have bought and sold lots of items on here, and if the individual purchase is for enough money - yeah pay for the insurance. If the transaction is small roll the dice. I bet at the end of the day I’m ahead by not always paying the fee and getting hosed once by this guy…
I am just posting because he has other things for sale - and want people to know that I had a bad experience.
I could be wrong but I believe this guy was previously on here under another name. I think the onlinebikeshop name was new as of last year. Again I could be totally wrong but this name and similar scenario reminds me of something like this happening to someone else last year.
I’m with you guys, I got “burnt” once for an item on beginnertriathlete and they seller said he was just busy and never got around to shipping it. Sent him a few messages and he said he’d refund me. A few weeks went by and and I said screw it, I’ll take the hit, not worth my time. However eventually he did refund my money a month later. Not how I’d do business but learned my lesson and just pay the 4% fee now. Its freakin 4% people, $4 more on a $100 purchase. Not worth going FF route.
Stop giving the OP a hard time, its a PSA to warn everyone. He doesn’t want yours, mine or anyone’s sympathy. The seller was last online Feb 22 so he has seen the OPs messages and just decided to say “yolo”…you only lie online
I also had a similar experience with him regarding a Boardman Bike he was selling me with the components. He took forever to respond and the bike didn’t come as promised(with the components installed) I had to file with Paypal. Thank God I didn’t send him friends and family.
Sorry to hear and this is ruining the integrity of good ol’ times ST classified.
I used “gift” sell/buy all the time and cover the fees if the amount is more than what i consider “safe”. Hope the guy refund your $$$.
This is really the thing for me. ST still has hat community feeling to it but has grown so much that more black sheep are getting attracted that are taking advantage of the trust that comes with a community like this. It is sad but that is what it is. I started doing PayPal +fee on the occasional buy I do on ST. I did not get screwed (yet) but had transactions where shipping certainly took some “extended” times (as in weeks).
I still love the community feel. I get question answered by industry pros - every brand has reps on here - and people are super helpful… Not that i’ve been on slowtwitch forever. But, it’s been 4 years - and have bought, sold, made tons of posts. First time having a real issue was this guy. I am not going to let it make me a skeptic of every transaction on this forum. But, it will make me think twice before send money to anyone.
This guy baffles me. He’s so easy to find. He’s a young talented triathlete and there are tons of hits with just searching his name. One of his sponsors or someone important is going to see his name tied to several unethical transactions and it will cost him something important.
You are correct about the name of the business (onlinebikeshop), it was ‘inadvertently’ used on one post by Triguy12 a couple of months back,
Here’s what he said Sorry this is my personal account and the other (onlinebikeshop) is our business account
at any rate onlinebikeshop was edited out of the post shortly afterwards . . . .
If you are interested check the"**Seduced by Triguy12 aka AndyJones without being kissed ? ? ? You decide. ** thread.
I eventually got the ipad, very poorly packed but it did arrive a month or so after being paid for and a poop load of email and posts.
I believe okieairforceguy** **was also having issues
again I’m not sure this is the same person using different names but the business name is the same, there are a couple of other email addresses in the thread, hope it helps.
Re the other posts regarding P-Pal ‘Gift’, lesson learned, next time I’ll negotiate the fees and not use ‘Gift’ . . . .
that is actually not a bad idea. I bet paypal doesn’t want a bad rap… I will send a message to them and see what happens. Not expecting anything. But, worth the one quick email.