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Wide-Eyed Apprentice
 
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4/3/2008 5:00:56 PM
Posts: 5,
Visits: 8
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| I have been an "eBayer" for the last couple of years (only bought; never sold) and never had a problem until now. I chose to buy an item through a "Second Chance Offer" for the first time. The seller (allegedly from New Jersey) said she was on a business trip in Italy and to wire her the money there, which I did. She acknowledged in an email that she received the money and stated that her husband, who was in New Jersey, would ship the item. That was the last I heard from her in spite of emails to her requesting shipping tracking number, etc. I thought I was being considerate by giving her the benefit of the doubt on shipping time, but to my horror, I discovered that the time limit for receiving a refund for a "Second Chance Offer" gone wrong had expired! Also, I believe I saw somewhere in the VERY fine print that Second Chance Offers are considered transactions outside of eBay and therefore not subject to dispute or rating the other party involved in the transaction. Do I have any recourse other than warning others about her on this website?
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Top Banana
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/11/2008 12:55:36 PM
Posts: 314,
Visits: 383
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First, post her website here so we can see it.
Now, how did you wire money? Did you do it through you bank? If so, you might be able to get the money back. Go to your bank and explain the situation and mention that you want the funds returned.
If you gave cash to western union or money gram you're out of luck.
Never wire money. It doesn't make sense that the money has to go to Europe, but the product exists in, and ships from, NY. That's a huge red flag. They're set up to distribute product but not accept payment? What kind of business did you think that was?
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Wide-Eyed Apprentice
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4/3/2008 5:00:56 PM
Posts: 5,
Visits: 8
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| Unfortunately, I used Western Union. I don't know of a website for her and don't know if this is an actual business for her, but the eBay user name she goes by is biljac1935. She conducts frequent transactions on eBay, and her rating is 99.9%, so she conducts a lot of legitimate eBay business but rips off others via the Second Chance Offer where she's immune. I also have a feeling she used a shill to bid up the item, and when the shill "couldn't pay," I got sucked into the Second Chance Offer.
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Top Banana
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/11/2008 12:55:36 PM
Posts: 314,
Visits: 383
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Wow, that's super odd and unusual, lots of transactions and very good feedback.
You may be on to something there, with the whole shill/second chance offer thing.
What you can do is file a police report. Pull the seller's information from ebay, and contact the authorities in their area. Go over all the details, and make sure you tell the police this if they don't want to listen, "I want to give a written statement". Those are the magical words.
How much money are we talking here? It's possible in some states that you could file in your own jurisdiction is small claims court (lots of conditions on this though), otherwise you can file in theirs. There is still a lot you can do, but start with getting their seller information and informing law enforcement. Leave negative feedback too.
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Wide-Eyed Apprentice
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4/3/2008 5:00:56 PM
Posts: 5,
Visits: 8
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| I paid $175, which I know is nothing compared to the amounts some folks have lost. Since Second Chance Offers are considered transactions outside of eBay, leaving any kind of feedback is not an option. I'll see if I get very far wringing information out of eBay about the seller so I can alert authorities in her area. I also plan on checking out a website for reporting Internet fraud. Thanks for your feedback! Even if justice isn't served in this case, it's good to know that this website exists to vent and educate.
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Wide-Eyed Apprentice
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4/3/2008 5:00:56 PM
Posts: 5,
Visits: 8
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| I just finished doing more research on eBay to get more seller contact information, and it turns out that the seller I mentioned in my previous post, biljac1935, is probably innocent and completely unaware of the "Second Chance Offer" drama that played out. I discovered that the seller's email address given on their eBay Member Profile is completely different than the email address listed on the "Second Chance Offer" email I received. Also, the first name of the seller is not the same as the alleged first name of the person to whom I wired the money. I forwarded that "Second Chance Offer" email I still have to spoof@ebay.com and look forward to any response from them. Guess I just learned the hard way to thoroughly check the contact details on any future transactions.
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Top Banana
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/11/2008 12:55:36 PM
Posts: 314,
Visits: 383
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| Ah, I've learned something new then. I didn't realize the difference with second chance offers. Never had a problem with one so never had to deal with it. Sorry about the misinformation on my part.
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Wide-Eyed Apprentice
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4/3/2008 5:00:56 PM
Posts: 5,
Visits: 8
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I've been learning as I go along, so I apologize for any misinformation I've passed along. I've since discovered that the "Second Chance Offer" I received was totally bogus, and that's why I was unable to rate the seller. I imagine that someone out there in deviant cyberspace cruises eBay looking for bidding frenzies and poses as the seller offering the loser an enticing Second Chance Offer via a very official-looking eBay email. If the Second Chance Offer were a legitimate eBay transaction, the seller would indeed be subject to positive or negative ratings from the buyer, and the buyer would be protected to the limits stated in the transaction. So I've learned, unfortunately too late, to accept Second Chance Offers only via eBay's website.
I've since reported the theft to my local sheriff's dept. and on a website called "Internet Crime Complaint Center." I'm not optimistic about recovering the loss, but hopefully the information might aid in a conviction.
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