Martin Battilana aka BlueRidgeCameras is a con artist and scammer that manipulates the ebay system to rip off honest ebayers. I sold a large 4x5 Toyo-View camera, 2 lenses, and many accessories to Martin Battilana aka BlueRidgeCameras (ebay user name). When he received the camera he claimed that it was damaged during shipping, and that he wanted a partial refund of $225 or half the total sale price. I told him that I insured the camera in case of an accident such as this and that I would file the insurance claim for him. He started an ebay buyer protection case against me claiming that I told him it was his problem. Ebay then stepped in telling me to file an insurance claim with USPS as I had originally suggested. I filed the claim online, then messaged Martin telling him how to move forward by taking the package to the Post Office to have the damages assessed.
Four days after filing the insurance claim, ebay suddenly decided the buyer protection case in Martin's favor, giving him a full refund including original shipping. He offered me to give a partial refund one last time, but I declined and told him to ship it back. All throughout this process, I thought something fishy was going on, since he kept asking for a partial refund (if the camera is unusable, then why would you want a partial refund that doesn't cover the full item value?) I did not see why I should give a partial refund and then he will also receive a full refund from USPS insurance?
So I receive the camera back a few days later and the damages far exceed what Martin Battilana originally stated. While I was sorting through the contents, I realized that he did not return three items worth hundreds dollars. He did not return a Rodenstock Grandagon 90mm f/6.8 Wide-Angle Lens, a Toyo Compendium Lens Hood, and a Toyo-View lens board. The lens that he stole is valued anywhere from $300 to $1000, which he could have sold and made all of his money back on and more from one out of 15 items that I sold to as a lot because I was in need of some quick cash, but now have lost at least $520.
In summary, do not do business with Martin Battilana, aka BlueRidgeCameras on ebay, battilanaphoto.com or filmproductionstills.com. He will cheat and scam you using ebays terrible buyer protection rules that find in the buyers favor 99.99% of the time. I have read many ebay horror stories such as my own. I am hopeful that USPS will help me recoup some of my stolen money. I have tried contacting Martin Battilana through email and ebay with no success. He responded through email once, 2 days after I received the broken camera back. I accused hime of stealing/not returning the items and called him a scammer, which he did not deny, but instead turned around trying to tell me that I was trying to sell him damaged goods, which were stated in excellent condition with minor signs of wear, which they were. I hope this report helps to stop someone from being ripped off by this man. I will persist in trying to get my stolen items back, as I have been considering contacting police in Floyd, VA where he lives, but I am not sure if they can do anything, without any physical evidence in their hands.
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