HEATH Digest - 2 Feb 2001 to 3 Feb 2001 (#2001-35)

[J. Werner, W8QA]

In a message dated 2/4/01 1:58:49 AM Eastern Standard Time,
LISTSERV at LISTSERV.TEMPE.GOV writes:

<< Date:    Sat, 3 Feb 2001 17:35:28 -0700
 From:    Chris Trask <ctrask at PRIMENET.COM>
 Subject: Re: I've been robbed.

         Consider yourself lucky.  I purchased two pieces of test equipment
 off eBay back in November, sent the check, it was cashed, then never got
 the equipment.  No replies to email, either.

         Anyone out there live in central Florida?  The seller lives in
Williston.

 Chris >>

Chris:

I've done a fair bit of eBay buying, and I haven't been burned yet (knock on
wood).  It's good to check out the seller's feedback.  Scrutinize any
negative feedback very carefully.

Also, try to pay for the item with PayPal.  The purchase will be charged to
one of your credit cards.  If there's a problem, you can always go to your
credit card company and contest the charge.  You stand a much better chance
of getting the problem resolved when you have that kind of leverage.

If you sent a check or money order, you still have two avenues to pursue:  Go
to the "Safe Harbor" page on eBay's Website.  It's a sort of insurance that
eBay has against people getting robbed.  A friend of mine who is a B-I-G
eBayer has gone that route, and they helped him resolve a sticky situation or
two.  Lastly, there's always the U.S.P.S.  If you sent the check by U.S.
mail, mail fraud statutes apply.  I'll admit that this one is a really
long-shot, but it's still an avenue of redress.

BTW, I've been ripped off more than once at hamfests.  I had to chuckle when
I read Chuck Penson's translations of hamfest descriptions in his book.  He's
right.  Almost any response to your question of "Does it work?" can be
interpreted as NO.

Good luck in sorting out your eBay difficulty.

Best DX and

Very 73,

John, W8QA

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