tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5031818697861698613.post6734582489242881459..comments2023-08-05T06:52:37.009-07:00Comments on Shooting for a $3,000 Wedding: Wedding Dress From Ebay?Belinda Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13703220627049594562noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5031818697861698613.post-86283896257021243082010-06-11T15:38:21.410-07:002010-06-11T15:38:21.410-07:00I am always on the alert for scams on Ebay. Unfort...I am always on the alert for scams on Ebay. Unfortunately, as the economy worsens, petty criminals flourish. Those are good tips for checking feedback. Also, I know private auctions are often scammers covering their tracks. <br /><br />On the bright side, if you stay within the Paypal TOS, they always decide for the buyer. Use a credit card as the funding source so if Paypal fails you, Visa (or another cc) will back you up. I realize the time involved with making a custom dress makes it a scammer's dream. One time I got scammed on Ebay as follows:<br /><br />Bought a mattress pad- it was supposed to be organic memory foam 3" thick but it was 1/2 inch thick egg crate junk. I complained and threatened negative feedback, so the seller said, "No problem. I want you to be happy." Keep the pad so you don't have to pay for shipping and you can have your refund." As promised, he sent my refund....only it wasn't tagged as "refund", it was tagged as "purchase". He had to do this, he explained, to remove the negative feedback I had left him. He had given me the run around, so I did follow through on my threat. He explained, "In a few days, I will send you and unpaid item invoice. Of course, you won't pay it, and only then will Ebay remove your negative feedback." Sounded reasonable because Ebay does warn you that feedback is permanent.<br /><br />So 60ish days after my original purchase (when I was beyond the time limit to complain to Paypal any longer about their junk mattress pad), I get an email from Paypal saying that I have a dispute. It was them! They left me a message saying "where's my item?"<br /><br />Needless to say, Paypal froze my account until I agreed to release the money they sent me. I called Paypal and they were sympathetic, but there was little they could do. I even sent them the emails he sent me, but I couldn't prove they were originals or even from him. Lesson learned. <br /><br />Keep up the great investigative work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5031818697861698613.post-30494677354945976162010-06-11T06:49:44.640-07:002010-06-11T06:49:44.640-07:00Thank you Anonymous! I did a lot of cross referenc...Thank you Anonymous! I did a lot of cross referencing. I clicked on the "supposed" customer's feedback to check THEIR feedback to see if the seller left feedback for them. I go down every single one to see if there is a pattern. I also would check the customer's OTHER feedback to look for inconsistencies. If you look really close, you'll see it. It just takes time.<br />I read that they will also have "other" rip off sellers act as customers giving feedback. I found this to be true also. <br />Thanks again!Belinda Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13703220627049594562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5031818697861698613.post-26168272282305165302010-06-11T05:37:40.443-07:002010-06-11T05:37:40.443-07:00How can you tell if the feedback is fake? I have o...How can you tell if the feedback is fake? I have often wondered about that.<br />Congratulations on your upcoming marriage :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com