OT - Postal Money Order Question

[GMCPerson]

A pair of 1999 Grand Prix Headlights were listed on Ebay with no picture. I sent the guy a note and asked if they were complete assemblies which include the headlamp, marker light and bracket. He responded that they were complete assemblies.

I won the auction and sent a Postal Money Order since he would not accept Pay Pal. After a month the parts arrived. All I got were marker lamps. I e-mailed the guy and he said that those were what the auction was for. When I asked for my money back, he refused. I called him and he told me I was harrasing him and not to call again. I went through EBay arbitration but since I paid with a MO, they could do nothing for me.

I thought that I read on this board that the Post Office would help get my money back - potentially mail fraud? The local Post Office says that they can't and the USPS website is no help. Does anyone know of a way I can pursue this. I am only out $60.00 but it really upsets me that I got lied to and they guy was so rude. Negative feedback did not help make me feel any better. This was the second thing he had ever sold. Any suggestions besides a tall tree and a short piece of rope would be appreciated. Thanks, Paul

[Randy70C-10]

I'm pretty sure that this is postal fraud, and a federal offense. I'm not exactly sure how you would pursue it but I'd definately do something about it. Also, if this is the second thing he's ever sold and you leave negative feedback, he'll only have 50% positive feedback. Nobody will ever buy from him again.

[Rod]

Sounds similar to the complete
bracket set I bought on ebay and only got 1/2 of them...I'll watch this post with interest also. I know they can monitor if he cashed the money order...which he obviuosly did cause he sent you something. As for fraud because of a lack of items shipped I dont know what the post office can do...I'm interested to know.

Forget the rope, go postal

[72ironmike]

Call 1-800-ask-usps. You probably need some kined of proof that he said what you say he said? Did you send an email note and do you still have the copy? Then ask for the phone number of the Postal Inspection Service. They usually don't get involved unless a police report is filed. Unfortunately it sounds like you got took. If you really want to prove a point take it to your small claims court if you can, and when you get a judgement put a lien on his house.

[69 Short Fleet]

Man I'm sorry to hear this kind of stuff, I buy stuff for my truck & bike on a regular basis from the US and here in Canada... do you still have a copy from the MO you sent this guy? I didn't realize e-bay would not try to help if it was a MO.... it sounds like all out "fraud" to me.

[70c10]

No police report is needed. I went thru this a few years back. Save a copy of the emails and auction listing if possible and print them out. Keep a copy of your M.O. receipt. Fill this form out:https://www.usps.com/postalinspector...dComplaint.htm
Scroll down to complaint information and click on "misrepresentation of product/service". Get on it right away. Good luck!

[Castiron9]

For 60.00..I dont think they are going to send out the possi........If it was me I would just learn from this experience and move on,is it really worth all the hassel?????????????See if he sells any other items and be high bidder on them,then tell him you changed your mind..............

[cableguy0]

you cant just change your mind on ebay that would result in a ton of bad feedback for gmcperson very bad idea. just fill out the paper work online and let the usps deal with it

[ACES]

I would fill out the paperwork online. I don't care what the amount is. I'm sick of being ripped off online. The type of person who misrepresents a product should be taught a lesson.

[Castiron9]

Ok...................Go ahead and fill out all the paper work and jump through all the hoops .And then in a year from now let us know if it was all worth it and if you even collected your money back.............

[cdowns]

postal money orders having some built in "PROTECTION" is a way overstated myth

[Joe67]

I'd report it through the USPS as well as file a complaint through ebay. It never hurts.

Each of you guys telling him not to waste his time should send him $60.00

[dtlilly]

If there is a determination by the USPS that this guy frauded you through the mail, they will stop mail delivery to him until he pays. That is what I was told by someone here on this board, I haven't done it personally.

[cdowns]

Originally Posted by dtlilly

If there is a determination by the USPS that this guy frauded you through the mail, they will stop mail delivery to him until he pays. That is what I was told by someone here on this board, I haven't done it personally.

" MY BUDDY TOLD ME" exactly how these myths get started !!!

[dtlilly]

Not wanting to be a smart @ss here and cause an argument, but if you have vast knowledge or experience on this subject, please share it with the board.

[GMCPerson]

Thanks for all of the information. I will fill out the forms and let everyone know what happens. Even if I do not get anything back, at least I will hopefully cause him enough grief that he will think twice before doing this to someone else. Paul

[70c10]

Like I have said in previous posts, I went thru this PERSONALLY and the Post Office backed me 100%. My seller was trying to rip me off for exactly $50. I don't mind jumping thru hoops when it comes to my cash and to let these scumbags know they can't rip everybody off!. The forms in the link above, are what I filled out in addition to a trace on the cashed M.O. The process took about a month or so. The guy sent me my truck carpet after the Attorney General in Kansas got involved and the Postal Inspector threatened to withold his mail. You do have "PROTECTION" when paying with a Postal Money Order.

[guyryan100]

Send an email to fraud@ebay.com too. They won't get involved in an immediate way but you will be on record with them and they will keep your name. I did the same in the past and, later when the guy was in trouble with the local police for a multitude of eBay frauds, I was contacted by that police department. They said they reached me because I had filed a complaint with eBay. It wouldn't hurt and if this guy keeps it up eBay will take notice.

[68gmcdually]

I would spend a hundred dollars to reclaim that $60.00 if it was me. It is the prinicple of the matter now.

[Randy70C-10]

I would too. I wouldn't want anyone to ever think they got one over on me or that it's ok to do. People like this eventually make a living ripping other people off. We work too damn hard for our money.

[curbyk]

Just being ivestigated by the postal inspectors for fraud will probably give him great concern even if they can't do anything. I would also spend $100.00 to keep him from getting my $60.00.

Good Luck

[Gary Lee]

I would ask to file a complaint at my local post office if e-bays not going to touch him.. In the federal Government, nothing counts till its on paper, so don't let some lazy civil servant (like myself... but not postal...) say it won't do any good, tell them you want to do it anyway. I would make copies of all correspondance, e-mails, phone call dates, copy of auction, and make a short detailed statement about what happened.

Guess what it may not do any good... but just as with local police, it will be a record. If the guy keeps it up, there will be enough and eventually they may be able to do something... The fact that it may not do you any good at the moment is inmaterial... In the long run, it'll catch up with him. If more people did so, the problems like this would be less commonplace. Furthermore the local or state authrities should be able to do something as well as it probably involved interstate commerce.... Just a thought

[70short/step]

Would you post his Ebay name here so no one else here is ripped off? I have never had to go thru this and hope I never have to. But I would do all I could to get him to give you the money back or the parts. And if you dont file a complaint wether it be with Ebay or the Post Office, you are just supportting his ways.

[D.PASSMORE]

Yeah cdowns! you know what your talking about... You kept my $100 PO money order and said you went blind. I bet you could see enough to sign it and for CASH. This guy knows how to manipulate this system. How do you say " SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT". You ought to turn off your computer for another 3 months or maybe reinvent yourself with another screeen name and a new out look on life. Its funny that you would reply to this post... whatta joke! Maybe you forgot again but my conytact info is in my signature...
Not be rude, my apologies to everyone else that has to read this post.

[1969 GMC]

smack!