I'm being conned - what can I do?

Suzya11

An individual was selling a cherished number plate on Ebay. It was previously on a buy it now for several hundred pounds & didn't sell. The seller relisted it on an auction with a reserve & I made him an offer that was less than the original buy it now. He accepted, took it off Ebay ( to save on fees) & sent me an invoice via paypal for the sale amount. I paid via paypal & was told the seller would contact the DVLA to start the changeover process. Now a month later the seller is refusing to answer my calls or emails & there is no progress report or registration certificate. I know I don't have the same rights as if I had bought through Ebay. I have the sellers name, address & mobile number along with email address. The address is a valid address & the mobile number rings when calls & goes to voice mail. I have an invoice & proof of my payment but no goods - what should I do? Many thanks for any suggestions

bod1467

Just raise a Paypal claim anyway? (I don't think such claims are exclusive to Ebay). I assume that "a month later" means you're still within Paypal's 45 day limit for claims?

societys_child

As above^

I have the sellers name, address & mobile number along with email address

Plus, is he on facebook?

shaun_from_Africa

bod1467 wrote: »

Just raise a Paypal claim anyway? (I don't think such claims are exclusive to Ebay).

There is a possibility that Paypal will refuse the claim, stating that what you actually purchased was an intangible item (the right to use and display a registration number).

What exactly was stated on the paypal invoice that you received from the seller?

mountainofdebt

Small Claims Court?

arcon5

Open a claim
'purchased number plate from seller to be delivered to my home address, goods have not been received'

If the seller wants to argue the goods are intangible then let them try, but I doubt it will come to anything.

Suzya11

Thanks for everyones responses. I've tried looking on Facebook & can't find this person. The invoice description is the car registration. I'll try raising a Paypal claim - I wasn't aware you could do that as I've never needed to do one before now. What can Paypal do for me? Cheers

PotBlack

Open a claim through paypal directly, its under resolution center. Don't open one through eBay.

In my experience Paypal always rule in favour of the buyer if delivery cannot be proved.

Suzya11

Aargh just tried Paypals resolution service & its 47 days since the transaction so they can't do anthing. Any suggestions? Many thanks

shaun_from_Africa

How was your paypal account funded for the payment?

If it was with a debit or credit card then contact your card issuer and explain the problem and tell them that you wish for them to attempt a chargeback.
This basically means that the card issuer will attempt to reclaim the payment from paypal, who in turn will try to get it back from your seller.

hartcjhart

do you have a link to the original listing? then I can do a 'moody' enquiry to see if it is still for sale