Taken for $60...by a member.

[phattpat]

I usually don't air my dirty laundry like this, but I don't know what else to do, and this is quite aggravating and silly over such a small amount. I don't know about you guys, but I work hard for every dollar I earn, and not getting something I paid for, no matter how small, is purely unacceptable.

Erik5032 posted a silver nav bezel for sale in November, at which time I promptly posted that I'd take it. We discussed the transaction via a number of PM's to calculate shipping costs, etc., and I sent payment. I thought all was well.... I mean, the guy was nice, communication was good... but I guess I was wrong. It is now the middle of February, and still no bezel.

First, his dad was in an accident, and he wasn't able to send it. Fine, I'm patient, I understand family definitely comes first, and I told him the same thing. Next, the "place that he took it to have it mailed" was slammed by the holidays, and they were late getting it sent. Then, "USPS" returns the package to him for "some reason." Well, if USPS is really the place he mailed it from, they usually doesn't let packages sit around their office waiting to get shipped. I know they do have busy/slow times, but that usually entails the delivery part; I have yet to see a pile of boxes sitting at a USPS branch that are more than a day old. More weeks go by, and finally I told him just to refund my paypal account. By this time, it was January, and he agreed to refund my payment. More weeks go by... no refund.

Finally, I told him look - if you really still do have this bezel, I'd rather you just resend it to me rather than give me the refund. I told him that he needed to send it via UPS or Fedex so that we could get a tracking number. He agreed, as he said he was really strapped for cash. This was at the beginning of February, and still nothing. I've pm'd him a few times since, and now I get nothing. Nice.

He even made a post about the returned shipment, probably in an attempt to cover his tracks:

The USPS is Annoying!

Original for sale post:

Nav Bezel for Sale.

Here is a post he made about making $22/hour. I don't proclaim to understand his expenses, but surely he could spare the $10 it would take to ship the stupid bezel.

an inconvenient truth

erik5032 - if you read this, it's time to man-up, and do what you say you were going to do. I hope you sleep better at night with $60 extra bucks in your wallet.


2/23/08 UPDATE - IT ARRIVED! THANKS ERIK! I'm sorry that I had to make a post like this to get the part sent, but I'm thankful that you sent it. Thanks again.

[Rambit]

Well, a few things here I see.

• He was last online Feb 11th, so I don't think he's skipped town.
• I agree it's been far too long to complete the transaction.
• For now at least, you did the right thing by giving him a negative iTrader rating for this. This will alert others.

Hopefully it will turn out it was something beyond his power and he'll send the part. What was the method of payment and has the money been taken from your account? Good luck.

Bernie

[phattpat]

I agree - I don't think he's skipped either... but I do recall seeing a thread of his discussing the sale/trade of his 300, so he really has no reason to come back here. I'm sure there's some reason why he hasn't sent it... who knows.

Payment was through Paypal, but it's been so long that I can't even file a claim. Again, it was only $60, but that just makes it chap my rear even more. I always give people the benefit of the doubt... always always, but I'm just out of benefit at this point.

[Rambit]

Well, like you've said, hopefully he'll man up and do the right thing.

Bernie

[300CN24S]

The best way I've seen for these to get resolved is doing just what you are doing. Letting other members know just what has happened. Usually a fellow forum member doesn't want to get a bad name so he or she will resolve the problem. Over on chargerforums one got really nasty. Just put some pressure on the fellow forum member and see what happens. I agree November until now is unacceptable. Good luck and hope everything works out.

[BlkLikeMe]

thanks for posting and making other members aware of a good transaction gone bad...hopefully this member will man up and do the right thing

[BIG SMOOTH]

$60 or $1 doesn't matter. Stand up and fight for the principle of the matter. Not enough of that these days...

[Rambit]

Originally Posted by BIG SMOOTH

$60 or $1 doesn't matter. Stand up and fight for the principle of the matter. Not enough of that these days...

Speaking of principal, and just to put things into perspective, this is what has happened in the past over a very small transaction of $45. It got ugly very early on and spanned several boards. This is what can happen by not doing the right thing.

How I was ripped off - by a Forum member!

If you think that's bad, check this guy out. He became an internet sensation world wide and the name Wenzel is associated with being "ripped off". For $145 that name earned him a place in internet history.

Here's one thread of probably 1,000's - D60 rear 4.88s 35 spline - Pirate4x4.Com Bulletin Board.

Do a Google on Charlie Wenzel and this is what surfaces - charlie wenzel - Google Search=. Look how many hits are to forums. You could say he's pretty well known.

Erik, do the right thing there buddy. No one wants to see this happen to you.

Bernie

[Chase300]

Let's call it like it is....he's a thief, plain and simple!

[CHEM300WV]

A man is only as good as his word... and when your words are not spoken they are typed, well it gives people the ability to back out and hide... if this was a transaction done face to face @ a swap meet and the part was exchanged for cash this would not be an issue. As far as dealing with people via the net, I must say I haven't ever been taken on a deal such as this one. I always keep at least one eye open for shady dealings and needless to say I may have missed out on a few "one time only" deals but I have not been burnt either.

It's a shame that this happened, if this is truely a thief at work and you lost your $$$, hopefully things work out and he either pays you back or you get your part. One bad apple doesn't ruin the bunch but I bet everyone that reads this thread will take a closer look before buying something in a way such as this again.