All,
I’m in the midst of getting stolen from and Ebay / Paypal is assisting in the process.
I have always had excellent luck with Ebay. I’ve sold 1 bike and dozens of other items with great success until now. I have a perfect seller rating nearing 100 and have sold items thru Ebay since 2002.
I’m asking that you read my story and share in my boycott Ebay and Paypal. I’m also asking that you pass my story on so that others can learn from this horror story.
The timeline is an important part of the story.
On May 11th, I placed my 2008 Specialized Epic Marathon up for auction on Ebay. I listed the item as used and supplied the maximum number of images supported by Ebay. I also uploaded another 23 high resolution images to Flickr. I even purchased a pro membership to Flickr to ensure that I provided the utmost in quality images to any potential buyers.
You can see it here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/23693984@N03/sets/72157618736735135/
I worked hard on my posting on Ebay and had a bit of fun learning .html to put some high quality images on the page.
On May 31 2009 my item sold for ~$2,400.
On June 1 I shipped the item via FedEx.
On June 5th, the item arrived.
On June 6th the buyer notified me that the bike arrived and that the box handle was ripped. But that he didn’t think anything was wrong. He acknowledged that he didn’t open the box, but instead took the box directly to the bike shop for reassembly.
On June 11th, the buyer notified me that the bike has some problems, specifically, the chain is rusty, there are some bent gears on the cassette and that the cables need to be replaced. Finally, there is a dent in the seat stay. The bike is still at the bike shop. He asks me what I want to do.
On the same day, I speak to the buyer and confirm via email that he should ask the bike shop to itemize the repairs and send me a quote. I tell him that the seat stay issue is not the condition I sent the bike in, but all of the other issues were consistent with a used mountain bike. I also let the buyer know that I will be contacting FedEX regarding a claim, because the seat stay damage must have happened during shipment.
The buyer then demands a partial $600 refund on the spot. No repair estimate. A refund or nothing. I ask that he get the estimate.
Immediately the buyer puts a claim in with Ebay that the item is significantly different than advertised.
The buyer also refuses to assist FedEx in their investigation of the shipping damage. I have a document from FedEx that states this. I have provided that to Paypal.
Paypal seizes the funds in my Paypal account and opens a claims dispute. Paypal says that it will take 30 days to investigate the dispute. I submit a very complete set of documents and images of the bike and speak to a Paypal representative that agrees that I have more than complied. It is still June 11th.
On June 30th I get an update from Paypal indicating that they’ve asked the buyer for some additional information.
On July 11th, Paypal notifies me that the buyer is now asking his credit card company for a chargeback. I speak to Paypal and they assure me that they have all the documentation in order to represent my case to the credit card company.
On July 30th, Paypal notifies me that the credit card company has reversed the charges and that they are placing the funds on hold in my account. Please note that the funds have already been on hold since June 11th.
On July 31st, Paypal again acknowledges the receipt of the documentation and agrees that it is thorough.
On August 26th, Paypal alert me to the fact that I’ve lost the dispute and that “the credit card company has decided in favor of the buyer”. They do not release the funds. They also let me know that it is my responsibility to contact the buyer and make arrangements to get the bike back.
As of today, Paypal has confiscated the proceeds of the sale and the buyer has not returned my emails regarding the bike. Paypal has not responded to my emails regarding assistance in getting the bike back.
To summarize, I have neither the bike, nor the money. I’ve lost use of both since June 11th. That is 87 days that this buyer has had the bike and 81 days that Paypal has had the money.
