Getting screwed over by a fanatic!?

I got in touch with a fanatic who was looking to trade his resonated super sprint xpipe for a non-resonated version. Everything was going well, we were going to cross ship parts with no cash exchanged (I paid shipping both ways).

Fast forward, my car has been in the shop for two weeks because he has not sent his part back. He told me several times that it should have shipped. Sure enough, he was waiting until my part arrived to ship his to me. He got the part and claimed it was fake. I told him to contact super sprint and verify the serial number. Knowing the part is genuine, I was a little upset that he was being a jerk about the process, but not all too worried. He told me he should be getting conformation back from supersprint on the serial number on wednesday, but I haven't heard from him since (I sent him two texts yesterday and two today with no response).

I have his address, email address, cell phone number and e46fanatics screenname (which I'm not going to release just in case he follows through. If he doesn't, you can be damn sure his sn will be posted). I was able to lookup the address and get a name as well, but I believe the address is his parents as the name I found was the name of a doctor and the person in question clearly stated he worked as a mechanic. I'm guessing he lives at home (maybe Dr. Dad bought him is M ).

My question is: what options do I have. The person in question is from a different state. Can I take him to small claims court? Can criminal charges be filed? At this point I either want the part I was promised, or my old part + the cost of the shipping labels and labor to get the part removed and put back on.

Speak with an attorney. Then, hunt him down and beat his ass.

Originally Posted by GSherbs

Speak with an attorney. Then, hunt him down and beat his ass.

Unfortunately, he's about 1000 miles away :(

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...689&highlight=

Poster=0 posts? shouldn't be surprised.

using the mail for fraud is a federal offense is it not?
report his ass.

Originally Posted by VALMONT

using the mail for fraud is a federal offense is it not?
report his ass.

Unfortunately, the PO could care less about this sort of thing. You would have to convince a Federal Prosecutor to bring charges. Unless it is systematic mail fraud, involving large sums of money, they will not do a thing.

This is why you should always use PayPal for such transactions, even if it involves you both paying each other equal sums of money. At least you have some legal backup with PayPal. Remember - Trust, but verify.

I am going to use this as an opportunity to mention that you should also avoid PayPal transactions where they ask you to send the payment as a "Gift". If you do so, then you lose all legal protections from PayPal. If they are too cheap to eat the tiny percentage that PayPal charges, then they should charge more.

Originally Posted by MJLavelle

This is why you should always use PayPal for such transactions, even if it involves you both paying each other equal sums of money. At least you have some legal backup with PayPal. Remember - Trust, but verify.

I am going to use this as an opportunity to mention that you should also avoid PayPal transactions where they ask you to send the payment as a "Gift". If you do so, then you lose all legal protections from PayPal. If they are too cheap to eat the tiny percentage that PayPal charges, then they should charge more.

ingeneral paypall is unreliable as well., they are not answerable to any legislature. Sure ebay owns it, but unless you actually go through ebay to paypall then your SOL if things go bad. I woulda bought his item, then sold your item to him for the exact same amount with Cash on delivery with a signature through FedEX or someone comperable. I've bought and sold bicycles online across country and that has been the only form of garuntee.

Maybe some ATL guys can go collect and hook a bro up! Its a hard lesson you learned about faceless buysell. fun to play with people on buysell when your aware of their knife-in-back intent.. endless entertainment

Originally Posted by E46Mango

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...689&highlight=

Poster=0 posts? shouldn't be surprised.

Look at his join date also. Op looked past all these signs.

You should show up at his door. Bring a friend and make a 3 day weekend out of beating this guy's ass, then leave the state. No evidence. Wear gloves to protect your knuckles from his teeth when you smash them.

its easy, contact his dad who is a doctor... i am sure you can look up where he practices. call the place and ask to speak to MR. Last name. tell him your situation and tell him that his son is a prick.

Originally Posted by WDE46

You should show up at his door. Bring a friend and make a 3 day weekend out of beating this guy's ass, then leave the state. No evidence. Wear gloves to protect your knuckles from his teeth when you smash them.

Note to self:

Never **** with this forum.

Originally Posted by Zell

Note to self:

Never **** with this forum.

Legitimately, this guy is lucky he lives 1000 miles away. I've had multiple offers in the past few days.

Originally Posted by dreyo27

its easy, contact his dad who is a doctor... i am sure you can look up where he practices. call the place and ask to speak to MR. Last name. tell him your situation and tell him that his son is a prick.

This is likely my first move. I got 2nd chances through my dad maybe this kid can be that lucky.

I do know where his dad practices.

Didn't even offer a reacharound? What a douchenozzle.

Are you sure the person who resides in the address is his dad?

This might very well be a case of identity theft.
I would inform the person at the given address(said dad) and check. If it is indeed a case of identity theft, report it to the police right away. Him being a doctor is more helpful then.

He lives in ATL. Hmmm.

Contact the authorities for the jurisdiction he lives in. It's fraud.

I'm trying to give this guy a chance to respond. But if I don't hear anything through tomorrow, I'm going to contact "said dad" and if he is no help, then the authorities. It just so happens that a new client of mine is a private investigator, I'm sure he will do some quick checking for me into the phone number as well.

Well it's good this forum has other peoples' backs :)

He lives in Georgia right? If he lived near me I'd go get him for you

It'd be ~8 hour drive for me to go there. Not bad buuuuut not too interested in that drive ;)