Accused of selling a fake Sebbie...

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I will add that I don't think cali4me is the ebay seller either. I lurked here for about a year before joining, albeit under very different circumstances. Causation and correlation and all that jazz.
What we have here seems to be 2 new members, 1 that needs and wants help and the other that is offering advise and insight.
The sad fact of the matter is, cali4me is probably right. Ebay is going to side with the buyer (see mullah source). Until it impacts their revenue stream, the 'bay isn't likely to change much about thier policies.

I know I stated this earlier, I am done with ebay- When I get a chance, I will pull my sales from there and will no longer patronize their site.. This thread is only reinforcing something I have been thinking about anyway. There are several forums where this subject matter comes up in the respect of buyers scamming sellers. The only time I have seen a positive outcome is in the case posted by mqqn above. Even that seems to be a mixed bag as the scammer still got what they were after.
 
In my 2 knife instances with ebay when there was a complaint, with the scuffed sebenza that clearly showed in the pics it was not, they sided with the buyer. Rather than deal with the return and wondering what I would get back, I paid the $35 the buyer needed for a "spa treatment". I know it was a rip, but felt it was safer in the long run. I still do not agree with it, but it is what it is.

On the second occasion with the nasty gentleman that took the knife to the grinder, by doing so he altered the knife from the sold condition, so they sided with me. It was a mint BladeTech Magnum Hunter.

I like ebay as I can sell lots of stuff, but when it comes to knives and such, I think its better to stick with the trusted people we see on the forums and similar places. I will say I have probably sold a dozen other sebenzas on there over the years with zero issues. Just some buyers are shady from the get go.

For me, what pisses me off about ebay the most is that the buyer can leave negative but the seller cannot, all they can do is reply to it. They clearly care more about the buyer than the seller....!!!
 
I then start to get a better grip on reality and realize, "wait a minute, I'm not a crook, I didn't sell him a fake haha" and tell him that I too will take legal action if need be, also reminding him of the reputable dealer I bought it from and that I have tons of people on the blade forums siding with me. At some point I attempt to email him directly because eBay specifically provides his email address to further resolve the situation and the kid gets offended that I try reaching him through his personal email address. As if he can't keep a full record of our conversation, and replies with this, "Why would you email me directly--unless you are trying to keep off ebay's record, your actions betray you. Also, it would not matter if Abraham Lincoln swore on a bible he sold you a 'real sebenza' because what you shipped to me is a counterfeit and I will prove it to ebay when they ask me to. I will not communicate with you outside of ebay's record, I will not be scared into backing down, stop wasting my time."
 
Moelns12 said:
Like I mentioned earlier, I can't see what I sent him but I have a record of his messages. So I replied basically telling him how shocked I was and that I bought it from a reputable dealer, then proceeding to ask him why it was he thought it was a counterfeit, and he says, "It is a pretty good counterfeit but we both know you are trying to rip me off so please stop wasting my time. I am going to take this to ebay and the authorities if needed--last chance."
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Tantamount to extortion- Use this when you are under arbitration with Ebay about the matter. Don't only let them see it, explain that YOU see this as a threat to YOU. If you have any Ebay history as a seller, use your feedback as much as possible if it's good feedback. Get them on the phone..Email is the easy way, but often, there is alot lost in text. Mainly vocal inflection.
The very last thing you ask them before this is done; "What happens when your policies drive away sellers due to scam artists taking advantage of said policies?"
 
Moelns12 said:
Like I mentioned earlier, I can't see what I sent him but I have a record of his messages. So I replied basically telling him how shocked I was and that I bought it from a reputable dealer, then proceeding to ask him why it was he thought it was a counterfeit, and he says, "It is a pretty good counterfeit but we both know you are trying to rip me off so please stop wasting my time. I am going to take this to ebay and the authorities if needed--last chance."
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Is your buyer from San Jose?
 
Sacramento. And thank you bhyde, that's pretty interesting, I'll definetly look into that.
And why do you ask, nomo4me?
 
Moelns12 said:
Sacramento. And thank you bhyde, that's pretty interesting, I'll definetly look into that.
And why do you ask, nomo4me?
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Sounded "familiar"
I guess the language you quote is just typical of that they resort to when in a disagreement. Effing twigs and nuts. Can't fall into the pacific fast enough for me.
 
Holy crap guys! I just went to his feedback and although it claims he has absolutely no feedback, when you click on his "recent feedback" there's all kinds of negative comments from buyers. I'm just gonna go out and say his eBay name, I have to put it out there MRPINK

Edit "all kinds of negative comments from SELLERS"
 
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Moelns12 said:
I'm such an idiot.... Mrpink.. "Pink panther"? Gee wiz the plot just got thicker!! Haha
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Perhaps, or it's a reference to Reservoir Dogs,..Steve Buscemi played the part.
 
There are circumstances where ebay may side with the seller, but if the buyer claims the goods they received are not what was advertised ebay will not touch it with a ten foot poll thanks to the CFPB. For further reading lookup 'fed reserve regulation e' and 'electronic funds transfer act'.

Based off what the buyer has said there is no doubt in my mind this is a scam.

You will not win a dispute, ebay does not care about you or what is right. See of the buyer will accept a partial refund and never sell on ebay again, you get to be the bigger man, keep your dignity and maybe some of the money.
 
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bhyde said:
Perhaps, or it's a reference to Reservoir Dogs,..Steve Buscemi played the part.
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Haven't seen that one.. Any good?

I'm gonna have to at least try cali4me. Besides now it just seems like you're trying to convince me using what comment had earlier impressed me.. Don't scare me now cali!!
 
I wouldn't roll over and take it. If eBay won't help, the local authorities or postal service might be willing to help you out. You're talking theft or fraud, right? You also must have his address, so I'd go that route if needed. Don't just accept this as a lost cause. If it turns that way, so be it, but don't simply allow that to take place.
 
Moelns12 said:
Haven't seen that one.. Any good?

I'm gonna have to at least try cali4me. Besides now it just seems like you're trying to convince me using what comment had earlier impressed me.. Don't scare me now cali!!
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Actually, it is a pretty good flick :)

As flipe8 says, there are other routes to take..Ones that I would likely look into as it becomes a matter of principle. The guy is most likely scamming you...You probably have to wait to see if what you sent to him is what you get back. We can make all the assumptions you want,..but until that point is reached, it's just speculation and conjecture.
 
There was once a forensic metallurgist who enjoyed looking at classic cars. One day, while at a show hes never been to, he notices a group gathered around a man asking for advice how to repair his thuderbird; someone lit it on fire and it burned hot enough to melt metal and engine components. Some say it can be fixed 'because it's not right that it was vandalized', others with more experience think it's beyond repair. The metallurgist knows better than most there's no fixing that kind of damage and suggest the man see how much a junk yard will give him for the metal. The group is shocked, 'scrap a t-bird?!--What about justice?'. One (self proclaimed) dummy ;) of the group goes so far as to accuses the metallurgist of starting the fire. There are mixed feelings in the group and many believe the police can help. The metallurgist just shakes his head and says "unless you have hard evidence the police are powerless, and they certainly cant fix your car, get whatever money you can and keep your next car in a garage."
 
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[video]http://i.imgur.com/5UQ6iXe.gif[/video]
cali4me said:
There was once a forensic metallurgist who enjoyed looking at classic cars. One day, while at a show hes never been to, he notices a group gathered around a man asking for advice how to repair his thuderbird; someone lit it on fire and it burned hot enough to melt metal and engine components.[b/] Some say it can be fixed 'because it's not right that it was vandalized', others with more experience think it's beyond repair. The metallurgist knows better than most there's no fixing that kind of damage and suggest the man see how much a junk yard will give him for the metal. The group is shocked, 'scrap a t-bird?!--What about justice?'. One (self proclaimed) dummy ;) of the group goes so far as to accuses the metallurgist of starting the fire. There are mixed feelings in the group and many believe the police can help. The metallurgist just shakes his head and says "unless you have hard evidence the police are powerless, and they certainly cant fix your car, get whatever money you can and keep your next car in a garage."[b/]
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Oooooohh story time. Get the popcorn and sit crisscross applesauce kids.

5UQ6iXe.gif


Secondly though a fire burning that hot in specific areas might point towards arson which is...evidence. Also in that scenario insurance (in here ebay) would be the people to talk to along with the police. So why do you push so hard for the OP to give up? Worst case is he tries and the eBay system proves easy to scam. Best case he gets something. Instead of just walking away head hung low like you suggest. Everything to gain and nothing to lose for trying.
 
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So he shouldn't claim any insurance or file a criminal complaint with police, sue the offender etc. etc. He should just take a car worth more in parts anyway and scrap it because some dude he doesn't even know anything about tells him to ? That makes about as much sense as the rest of your "rollover and give up" advice in this thread.......

It's clear ebay are actually all but helping scammers with the way they have things set up. It's way too easy to play the system but that doesn't mean it should never be faught against. I'd personally rather lose a knife knowing it was lost a straight up scam that I stood up and faught and not a scam that I just bent over and pulled my socks up for.

Again OP, all the best with this one.

cali4me said:
There was once a forensic metallurgist who enjoyed looking at classic cars. One day, while at a show hes never been to, he notices a group gathered around a man asking for advice how to repair his thuderbird; someone lit it on fire and it burned hot enough to melt metal and engine components. Some say it can be fixed 'because it's not right that it was vandalized', others with more experience think it's beyond repair. The metallurgist knows better than most there's no fixing that kind of damage and suggest the man see how much a junk yard will give him for the metal. The group is shocked, 'scrap a t-bird?!--What about justice?'. One (self proclaimed) dummy ;) of the group goes so far as to accuses the metallurgist of starting the fire. There are mixed feelings in the group and many believe the police can help. The metallurgist just shakes his head and says "unless you have hard evidence the police are powerless, and they certainly cant fix your car, get whatever money you can and keep your next car in a garage."
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My worst ePrey story is the guy who sold me an "excellent" slip-joint that arrived rusted into a solid block of ferrous oxide - with scales to be sure. ePrey denied my claim on the grounds that he had proof of deliveryI cancelled the payment through my CC company.

Then there was the guy who sold me a khukuri with the representation of the "length" based on the circumference of the knife. ePrey denied my claim. I sent them copies of documents showing people and business, including HI, measuring khuks. Did not good. So I cancelled payment through my CC company.

The one time ePrey went along with me, they required that the seller agree the item had been returned at my expense before I got a refund - on the "very nice" slip-joint with the scale missing from the side not shown in the pictures.

Re "Mail Fraud" Were the U.S. Mails the agreed form of shipment? Fraud involving the Mails by buyers is also covered by the federal felony statute if the buyer agreed to use of the U.S. Mails for delivery or payment.
Then there's Wire Fraud for using credit cards to commit fraud. At this point, I'd look at scorched earth as a good approach.
 
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