This complaint regards an Ebay transaction. On 05-17-04, I won the bid for a Briggs 18HP Twin Cylinder tractor mower engine, Ebay Item 3816283317. This item was auctioned by 'Karen Sparks', Ebay user ID KRNSP. The engine was $200, shipping was $100, and I sent the lady a personal check for $300.
3 weeks later, my check had cleared my bank, but there was no engine. I emailed Karen Sparks and asked what the delay was. She replied something to the effect of there had been an accident in the family, and that things were being delayed. She apologized, and said the engine was being shipped out tomorrow.
Three more weeks later, still no engine. I emailed again and asked what was going on. This time I got no ansser. So I filed a complaint with Ebay. They informed me (with the standard boiler plate type reply), that they will be investigating, please be patient, no guarantess about the outcome of the investigation, and so on.
One week later, most like only on orders from Ebay, I get an email from the seller's daughter. She claims there was a death in the family, and that the engine had been returned back to them with shipping damage... And said sorry, the deal must be terminated. She asked for my mailing address to that she could send me a refund check. I replied back and provided it for her.
Two weeks later, still no check. At this point I went to an online arbitration service associated with Ebay, called Square Trade. I opened an account and reported this situation. Square Trade did their usual motions...' We'll let you know what we find, ' etc. 4 Weeks passed, and Square Trade has reported they were unable to contact the seller... Sorry, nothing more they can do.
I have made a report on this matter with the FBI's Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC). I have heard nothing back from them.
Previously this seller had a long history of success on Ebay, with close to 300 positive feedbacks for previous transactions. I notice there has been no apparent activity on this person's Ebay account since this incident.
I am not trying to be an unreasonable person, and if there really was a death or some such in this sellers' family, I don't wish to add to that grief. All I would really like to see at this point is a refund of that $300 I sent in good faith. My next step will probably involve something at the level of Alabama's State Attny General, or the Postal Fraud inspector.
This is one of the kinds of incidents that gives Ebay a bad name. I know better than to use personal checks for anything significant any more, I've learned that much. I guess everyone gets stung eventually.
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