Questionable Newbie Trader? [Archive]

Kogan

10-17-2005, 11:07 PM

Edit: Issue resolved. It was all my paranoia :)

original mesage:
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I just wanted to share my short experience with U235. We're in a trade, but I don't believe it's going well and I'd like to warn you guys :)

He's got a new forsale thread here:
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=965648

And the one I bought something from was here:
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=964880

Here's how it goes: I told him on Friday that I wanted the x800xt pe - it was a great deal at $190+ shipping. He showed me something like 20-30 ebay feedback and I confirmed that it was his by emailing him. He had no heatware or other feedback. I showed him my 90+ heatware and 500+ ebay feedback.

He seemed real, but I tried to get him to ship first anyway - he didn't seem to want to do that. I told him I'd send a cc paypal payment so at least I'd be somewhat protected if he scammed me. He said that was fine and told me on Saturday that he had shipped the card with USPS priority (before we even worked out payment details).

I asked for a tracking number or insurance number, but he said he didn't get those services and will go back to the post office and get them on Monday. As far as I know, that shouldn't be possible... (doubt #1)

On Monday, he says he got delivery confirmation, and gave me a confirmation number. He asked me if I'd like to see a scan of the receipt, so I said yes. Instead of a scan of the postal receipt, he gave me a filled-out Delivery confirmation receipt: http://foxweb.marist.edu/users/jared.pennella/uspstracking.jpg

Where's the USPS postmark on that slip? I've got a bunch here, and every single one of them has a stamped date on it. (doubt #2)

He didn't get insurance on the package. He says the postmaster told him that they couldn't insure it because he didn't have a receipt to show its value. If you've shipped and insured with USPS, you know this is not true. The value of the package doesn't come into question until it gets lost or damaged. They'll let you initially insure it for whatever value you want. (doubt #3)

During the whole time, he kept bugging me to pay right now because he needs the money for something else.. I never ran across anyone who needed the money that bad to not be able to wait 2-3 days - and even in his original post, he says he only takes cash and money orders, so it's given that it would take him a few days to receive payment even if the buyer did pay first.. (understandable, but I'll have to say doubt #3.5)

Something is up, but I don't think it warrants posting in his forsale threads, so here it is. Hopefully in two days I'll have a $200 x800xt pe, and this will have all just been my imagination :)

U235

10-18-2005, 12:05 AM

Explination, as requested by Cold Dark Shadow:

Here's how it goes: I told him on Friday that I wanted the x800xt pe - it was a great deal at $190+ shipping. He showed me something like 20-30 ebay feedback and I confirmed that it was his by emailing him. He had no heatware or other feedback. I showed him my 90+ heatware and 500+ ebay feedback.

True, this is one of the first times i looked outside my own personal circle of friends to sell computer hardware.

He seemed real, but I tried to get him to ship first anyway - he didn't seem to want to do that. I told him I'd send a cc paypal payment so at least I'd be somewhat protected if he scammed me. He said that was fine and told me on Saturday that he had shipped the card with USPS priority (before we even worked out payment details).

As far as i understand, it is common policy to send a payment first, before the seller sends the item, that is why i requested that be done. We discussed it, and Kogan explained his concerns and i agreed to ship it out prior to reciving the payment.

I asked for a tracking number or insurance number, but he said he didn't get those services and will go back to the post office and get them on Monday. As far as I know, that shouldn't be possible... (doubt #1)

I went to the post office on my college campus @ 11am on Saturday to mail the item, i didnt request insurance/notifcation because it wasnt orginally request. If that is somthing that is just assumed, i aplogize as i am new to this arena. As far as going back to the post office on Monday, remember that i am on a college campus that has a post office run by College students/staff where USPS makes pickups Monda-Saturday early in the morning. Therefore, after handing over the package to the postmaster at the desk, i was assured that i could add a service (insurance/tracking) early Monday, as i did.

On Monday, he says he got delivery confirmation, and gave me a confirmation number. He asked me if I'd like to see a scan of the receipt, so I said yes. Instead of a scan of the postal receipt, he gave me a filled-out Delivery confirmation receipt.

As far as that is concerned, i was not given a recipt for the mailing of the package, i paid with money pre-deposited onto my school ID card. The only paper i was given was the linked tracking recipt. The postmaster assured me that USPS updates the information every 24 or so hours.

Where's the USPS postmark on that slip? I've got a bunch here, and every single one of them has a stamped date on it. (doubt #2)

This is an on-campus facility that is not run by the USPS, i dont know anything about USPS protcol and procedures. I would only assume that the on-campus facility follows simular regulations, but i scanned what they gave me.

He didn't get insurance on the package. He says the postmaster told him that they couldn't insure it because he didn't have a receipt to show its value. If you've shipped and insured with USPS, you know this is not true. The value of the package doesn't come into question until it gets lost or damaged. They'll let you initially insure it for whatever value you want. (doubt #3)

I in fact requested insurance, but was told that by the postermaster i had to provide proof of value in the forum of a recipt, etc. in order to recieve insurance. She explained that i was not allowed to just insure this because i could put in a large claim for somthing that costs nearly nothing. I did, however, research AND send Kogan a copy of what i found per USPS insurance policy:

Evidence of Value:

* For Insurance Purchased at a Post Office, one of:
o Sales receipt.
o Invoice.
o Bill of sale.
o Statement of value from a reputable dealer.
o For items valued up to $100 , the customer's own statement describing the lost or damaged article and including the date and place of purchase, the amount paid and whether the item was new or used. If the article mailed is a hobby, craft, or handmade item, the statement must include the cost of the materials used in making the item.
o Picture from a catalog showing the value of a similar article (only if a sales receipt, invoice, or statement of value from a reputable dealer is not available). The date and place of purchase must be included.
o Paid repair bills; if the claim is for partial damage, estimates of repair costs or appraisals from a reputable dealer. Repair costs may not exceed the original purchase price.
o Receipt or invoice for the costs incurred to buy a surety bond required to reissue a lost item.
o Receipt or invoice of costs incurred for the reconstruction of nonnegotiable documents.
o A copy of a canceled check, money order receipt, credit card statement, or other documentation indicating the amount paid. For Internet purchases, a copy of the front and back of the canceled check, money order, or a copy of the credit card billing statement is required.

and...

Insured Mail
Provides coverage against loss or damage up to $5,000.
Fee based on value of item. Starts at $1.30
For items insured for more than $50, Return Receipt can be added to confirm delivery. $1.75 extra

From: http://www.usps.com/customersguide/dmm100.htm#1 http://hdusps.esecurecare.net/cgi-bin/hdusps.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=6408&p_created=1106061590&p_sid=5e781jSh&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ 9MjgmcF9wcm9kcz0xMCwxMTcmcF9jYXRzPSZwX3B2PTIuMTE3JnBfY3Y9JnB fcGFnZT0x&p_li=&p_topview=1

During the whole time, he kept bugging me to pay right now because he needs the money for something else.. I never ran across anyone who needed the money that bad to not be able to wait 2-3 days - and even in his original post, he says he only takes cash and money orders, so it's given that it would take him a few days to receive payment even if the buyer did pay first.. (understandable, but I'll have to say doubt #3.5)

There are two reasons for that, the first and foremost is the fact that Kogan assured me once he recieved a tracking number/insurance number he would send the payment via CC

That sounds good to me You said you'll be able to add insurance on monday? If you can, I'll gladly pay extra if you can do that and add delivery confirmation. I'll send payment as soon as it ships with a confirmation number.

Secondly, the money is needed so i can pay for an ebay bid which i, when placing my max bid, was outbidded but it seems the person ahead of me in bids withdrew and i won the 112.50 dollars item. Working two jobs as an EMT locally and in the Bronx, and paying 30 grand a year for school i dont have alot of extra cash on hand. I even aplogized for being a hassel but I feel strongly that i have done everything in my power, minus getting the postlady to give a written legal statement that the package passed through her hand is indeed on her way out, to prove that i have indeed shipped the packged as requested. I dont know what more i could have/could do to statisfy the situation.

I dont know what more i can do in the way of trying to prove my case, all i know is that if you check the USPS website with that number you will find what you are looking for. Again, i think i have done everything i can from my side, the next option is to get a lawyer or the local law enforcement to substanciate my claim, which i will gladly do at my own epxense. Somthing is not up, and you WILL have your item by Thursday, at the latest like stated last week.