eBAY expert req'd - US seller ignoring me after 3 months!

Jovansey

Morning all,

Back on 24th Feb of this year, I won an auction for a Playstation 3 + games + extras from a US seller on eBay (ID: sherlockohms).
I emailed the seller prior to the auction ending checking that it was all right for me (a UK buyer) to buy the item. She confirmed everything was OK. I paid the full amount (£410) via Paypal (where I believed I was covered up to £500 because she has ‘buyer protection’).

Over the next 6 weeks, various emails bounced back and forwards between the two of us regarding delays in shipping my Playstation 3… she was waiting for her suppliers to send her the bundled games… she was waiting for her suppliers to send her the correct controllers after an incorrect previous delivery, etc.

Now, nearly two months later, she has started to completely ignore my emails to her. Her eBay shop claimed she was away last week, however, during that week a few separate eBay buyers left her negative feedback, to which she replied (even though she was meant to be on away!).

She has been a member for a long time and generally has good feedback (98.5% positive).
After a quick search on the internet I have her full name and address in South Carolina over in the States (It also seems she owns an actual electronics shop in her town where she lives).

Up until now, I didn’t feel the need to raise the issue with Paypal – I was giving her the benefit of the doubt and she was regularly replying to fortnightly queries. However, now the time has come, but I believe in order to get my money back, Paypal states I need to have raised a ‘dispute’ with them within 45 days of the auction ending.

Can an eBay / Paypal expert please let me know what I can do and what they think the best next steps to take are in order to either 1) get my Playstation or 2) get my money back.

Many thanks in anticipation from a VERY worried eBayer.

Moglex

You could try getting her details and phoning her.

I just hope you paid with a credit card.

angelcake

I always start a dispute, if my items hadn't arrived for close to the paypal date, just in case!! In hindsight I bet you wished you had! no matter what they said to me!

Can you not contact them through their business address/tel number?

Contact Ebay, and Paypal and see what they say! hope you kept all their communication.

Also like Mog said, try phoning them, I know it prob cost a lot but there are some deals you can phone abroad

Moglex

angelcake wrote: »

I know it prob cost a lot but there are some deals you can phone abroad

If you need to phone the states and are paying more than 2p/min, get an account with call18866 (google that to find the site).

You can call the US for 2p/min and UK for 0p/min.

5p connection fee in each case.

Setting up an account is quick and easy - I think all this is mentioned elsewhere on this site.

angelcake

Yeh thanks Mog, I had noticed it before on this site but couldn't think where!

What d'ya think u are going to do op?

Jovansey

Thanks for the replies guys...

A couple of points:

I paid via Paypal, but the funds were transferred into my Paypal account from my Mastercard.
Does that enable me any other protection / comeback?

I do also have a phone number for her shop in the States. I might give it a call tonight. The only thing I fear is that she hangs up or fobs me off with more excuses again.

I'll also start the dispute process tonight with both eBay & Paypal.

frivolous_fay

Jovansey wrote: »

I paid via Paypal, but the funds were transferred into my Paypal account from my Mastercard.
Does that enable me any other protection / comeback?l

That's good news - it means you have a fair chance of getting your cc provider to get your money back.

It's too late to do a paypal dispute and you may not be able to do an ebay dispute. I wouldn't waste time trying, I'd just go straight to CC people.

Good luck.

soolin

Yep far too late for either an ebay or a paypal claim, so Mastercard is your only hope. AFAIK Mastercard are not as good as Visa for chargebacks...but my info is anecdotal so maybe someone else who has managed a chargeback via Mastercard can comment and reassure you.

soolin

I just did a Google search for Mastercard / chargeback etc and Martin's great advice turne dup high in the listings.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1049409737,88838,

I am a little concnerned by this bit though re buying on the internet:

Beware of overseas firms

If buying goods from firms based abroad, beware, UK laws won't cover you.

GoofyGAT

Moglex's suggestion to call is a very good one - at least you'll know where you stand after the conversation (be as polite & firm as you can, without losing it!).

Cheapest calls to the US from 1p/min (non-topup): http://callchecker.moneysavingexpert.com/intcallchecker/usa/mobile

I've called a US seller in the past for non-receipt of an item after 3 weeks, & it turned out very well. Fortunately, she had a valid excuse, was very apologetic & despatched the item immediately my expedited mail. G