What to do if you get ripped off on eBay?

[speedemn]

I once bid on a cheap auction (only $25 or so) and the seller never responded to my e-mails once he received payment. I waited for months and reported him to ebay staff. They gave me this long procedure to follow and filing a thing on ebay safe harbour and stuff... but I waited... periodically sending the guy e-mails. Then like 2-3 months later, he responded back and said that he had this problem and that and he appoloized and sent me my goods, but sent me 2 sets... no shipping either. So keep on keeping on. Be persistent. E-mail the guy periodically. Keep all documentation.

But ebay actually has fraud protection insurance. I think you are insured upto a certain amount. Then they go after him because they have his credit card on file. But you have to file that whole safe harbour thing. E-mail their support people to get more details.

Good luck.

Originally posted by 2FastLX
I haven't actually been ripped off yet, but I'm just wondering if it's legal to drive to the person's house and take out a little frustration on them with a 2x4. I have a couple hundred bucks sent out and am not getting the email response like I should so I'm ready to start planning a road trip. For $200 I'd drive to California.

I used a postal money order and sent it registered mail so I have the returned ticket showing he signed for the envelope. I also have a copy of the receipt for the money order. Mail fraud becomes a Federal offense when a postal money order is used and is handled through US mail so I may go contact my local post office and turn this guy in if I don't hear something real soon.

If nothing else I guess I've always wanted to see the ocean. Perhaps a drive there in the new Focus would be fun. My wife is always telling me we need to take a trip that doesn't involve buying or selling Stang parts, so maybe I could take one for the simple purpose of finding this guy and smacking him around for awhile.

Anyone solve a similar problem?