Officially scammed: so much for 'buyer protection'

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bobsiv

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Joined
Aug 19, 2009
Messages
146
Well, Paypal has decided in my favor in my dispute against Circleglider ($495, no knife, excuses for a month then he disappears). But since he closed out his account, Paypal can't recover my funds and didn't give me any options. I feel robbed. Literally. I am going to treat this just like if he stole the money out of my wallet and contact the authorities in his home town. Here is the e-mail Paypal sent me:
________________________________________________________________

After careful review, we have concluded our investigation of the Buyer
Complaint described below.

We have decided in your favor, however, we were unable to recover any funds
from the seller's account. As stated in the PayPal User Agreement, recovery
of funds associated with a Buyer Complaint cannot be guaranteed.

Please know that we will make our best effort to recover the funds in
question if they become available in the seller's account in the future and
will take appropriate action against the seller. Such action may include
issuing a warning, a temporary restriction, or terminating the account.
Keep in mind that PayPal uses a number of factors to determine when to take
action, including member complaints. Due to privacy laws, we cannot discuss
the details of any action taken. We hope you understand our policy and that
it assures you that you are safe using PayPal.


-----------------------------------
Transaction Details
-----------------------------------


Seller's Name: Lawrence Alexander
Seller's Email: glen@slashpine.com
Seller's Transaction ID: 2L6118211H7549621

Transaction Date: Oct 15, 2009
Transaction Amount: -$495.00 USD
Your Transaction ID: 0CU06083XW530040B
Case Number: PP-825-663-987

Buyer's Transaction ID: 0CU06083XW530040B


-----------------------------------
What to Do Next
-----------------------------------

This case is now closed. No further action is required by you at this time.

_______________________________________________________________

Thanks a heap.
 
Sorry to hear this.So,where does this scumbag live?You got his phone #?
 
That's a :thumbdn::thumbdn:

Was the paypal transaction funded with a CC? If so, I would file a claim with the CC company & try my luck there.
Good luck.
Scooby
 
He lives in Oakland, according to his ebay profile. I had a phone number, but it got turned off during the dispute (never a good sign). If anyone reading this has a mailing address or phone number for this guy, I would appreciate it. He had lots of positive feedback on ebay, and several on this forum also. He got one here two days before I sent him my money. I guess I just happened to give him a bunch of money right before he went over the hill.
 
Thanks for the idea, Scooby. It was a bank transfer, but I'll call my bank and see what they say.
 
Just so you know, the Paypal buyer protection is only for Ebay transactions. If this happened outside of Ebay then it is no different than taking a bad check. Sorry it happened to you.
 
PayPal rule #1:

First off PayPal doesn't give a rats ass about you as long as they get paid.. Bottom line.

PayPal Rule #2:

They have a vested interest in eBay transactions only to the point where things go south and problems arise between the parties involved in the transaction, and will then try and skirt those guidlines if it means they have to pay the frait on anything. If you don't believe this, then check out they're DISCLAIMER. Outside of eBay you are just paying into a convenience service.

PayPal rule #3:

PayPal SUCKS. :thumbdn:
 
Lets stay on topic here. PayPal isn't the bad guy. Circleglider is.

I just emailed him with a link to this thread, asking for his response.
 
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Thanks Esav. I don't think he's logged in since I escalated the Paypal dispute. He was active on the benchmade forum for awhile, but I left comments on all of his sales and he hasn't been back there either. He still has some active auctions on ebay, but I don't know if there's anything I can do about those.

Here's one of his items on ebay, looks like he updated the listing yesterday, which is infuriating:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Benchmade-690-0...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3a54a31969
 
I'm pretty sure that if he's got an active listing on Ebay, he's got an active Paypal account-I'd be all over PP to find out why they don't take the $ out of his other account.
 
bobsiv said:
Just found this guy's business website. Turns out he manages a venture capital fund. I guess he ran off to Mexico with my money for a start-up. This would be funny if it weren't my money...

http://www.equilant.com/About.html
Click to expand...

I have helped raise over 3.6 billion in public and private capital for my clients. One key strategy in my success is Glens Rule #1..."never return one red cent even if it means scamming someone". It is my job as a venture capital advisor to be the ignorant putz so you don't have to be. Call now!
 
bobsiv said:
Just found this guy's business website. Turns out he manages a venture capital fund. I guess he ran off to Mexico with my money for a start-up. This would be funny if it weren't my money...

http://www.equilant.com/About.html
Click to expand...

If you are CERTAIN this is the same guy, I would suggest this:

Compose a letter, (not just a rant, but a very serious statement spelling out how this thief stole your money) and send it to the President, Vice President & CFO of every company on his clients list at that website.

That should get his attention.
 
lsheldon said:
If you are CERTAIN this is the same guy, I would suggest this:

Compose a letter, (not just a rant, but a very serious statement spelling out how this thief stole your money) and send it to the President, Vice President & CFO of every company on his clients list at that website.

That should get his attention.
Click to expand...

+1
Agreed 100% that should ruffle his feathers.
 
Ruffle his feathers? Probably. But once you've taken your shot, what's left? The damage is done.

Better to compose that letter, get up your list of addressees, and send it to him: "Pay me what you owe me or I send this to them."

He might have a decent bank account. He will have access to lawyers. You may be threatened or actually faced with a nuisance suit.

None of the people here who are suggesting clever means of revenge will be contributing to your legal fund.
 
lsheldon said:
If you are CERTAIN this is the same guy, I would suggest this:
Click to expand...


The Whosis of slashpine.com and equilant.com show the same owner and registrar. It could be coincidence though. I would take Blues advice and if you are going to send a letter send it addressed to the seller personally. No use trying to smear him and leaving yourself wide open.

Also Paypal may come through. If he makes those sales he may have his account frozen and the money reimbursed to you
 
Yes, I suppose he could take action against you if you sent all of those letters out.

You should make sure he knows that you are aware of his presence at this company however (equilant.com). Call him directly on his company line (listed under contact). Or fax him at the company fax number asking when you are going to receive the property you paid for. Include in the letter the details of him not giving the item you've paid for and a printed copy of the Paypal decision. Send the fax every day until he pays you.

Likely it will get around within his company at least that he's a thief. Let him know you could write his clients to advise them of what a scumbag he is. Make it known it would be easier for him to pay you than explain to his clients and employees why he is stealing from you.

Plus that would at least give Paypal time to get your money for you, and I'm sure it would make you at least feel better about a shitty situation.

You can come up with a lot of ways to become a thorn in his side.

I hate to hear about things like this. 99.999999% of the people here are honorable and trustworthy. It is a shame that that 1 millionth of a percent has to pull something like this.

Best of luck to you and I hope you get your money.

Les.
 
I've been trying to come up with ways to bother him. The phone number he gave me as his personal number was the same as the business number on the website. I get the feeling he is president, ceo, and secretary of this company. The phone line is back up, but it always goes straight to voicemail. I don't think I want to try contacting his clients, but I did send a friend request to all of his friends on facebook :). I figure if I can get access to his account there, I can start leaving embarrassing messages without fear of legal repercussion.
 
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