Scam or possible explanation?

Typlo · Post by **Typlo** » 02 Feb 2017, 13:49

Hi,

I received a parcel that was missing half the order from an online order.
The seller (which I've dealt with for 2 years now) swears he sent me the all order.
What made me suspicious is that the weight on the parcel doesn't correspond with the minimum weight possible for the full order, and the seller told me that the "cashier must have mislabeled the weight".
Is that even possible, or have I just been scammed?

Cheers
Christophe

Post by **Snaggletooth** » 02 Feb 2017, 15:45

Basically, no. Does the label weight match the weight of the actual contents received plus packaging?

Typlo · Post by **Typlo** » 02 Feb 2017, 15:50

Yes it matches what I received.
The only reason I'm asking is that our professional relationship went well for 2 years so it just seems weird to scam me now, but at this point I'm out of options.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 02 Feb 2017, 16:21

Might not be a scam but could be them trying to dodge responsibility.

I bet he has mislabelled 2 deliveries and someone has got twice what they ordered, and you got 1/2. It may just be an honest mistake, I guess it all depends on how he resolves it.

Typlo · Post by **Typlo** » 02 Feb 2017, 17:09

The only solution is offered me was an insurance claim that would bring me £50 when at this point I lost £450, so that isn't close to enough. He just doesn't want to make any extra effort.
I would have understood if he explained to me that it was an honest mistake and that he sent my order to the wrong person, but his answer is just that the post office mislabeled the parcel and that he sent the full order, despite the fact that the weight corresponds exactly at what I've received.

Post by **Snaggletooth** » 02 Feb 2017, 18:40

The distance selling regulations make the seller legally responsible for getting the goods to you, as ordered, whether this was somehow a failure of the PO or not. Put in a claim and, if he won't deal with it, make a chargeback application via your card provider.

Typlo · Post by **Typlo** » 02 Feb 2017, 18:44

My mistake is that as I trusted him I used Transferwise, and it doesn't seem a chargeback is possible with that app...:(

South_London_Postie · Post by **South_London_Postie** » 02 Feb 2017, 22:20

Hi,

To best help you, can you answer a few Questions.

1. Did you buy through the sellers website or any form of online auction

2. Do you always use transfer wise to pay for goods with this person?

3. Is the seller based in the U.K ?

4. Are they a private individual or a company ?

The more info the better so We can help provide a possible way to help get your money back.

from what I have gathered so far it certainly points to being scammed as the weight of the contents you received is the same as the cashier registered it and yet half the contents are missing I.E.- never been sent!

Typlo · Post by **Typlo** » 02 Feb 2017, 22:41

South_London_Postie wrote:Hi,

To best help you, can you answer a few Questions.

1. Did you buy through the sellers website or any form of online auction

2. Do you always use transfer wise to pay for goods with this person?

3. Is the seller based in the U.K ?

4. Are they a private individual or a company ?

The more info the better so We can help provide a possible way to help get your money back.

from what I have gathered so far it certainly points to being scammed as the weight of the contents you received is the same as the cashier registered it and yet half the contents are missing I.E.- never been sent!

Hi,
Thank you so much for trying to help me!

1. At this point we would deal through emails only. I'd ask what I need, he'd give me the price, and I'd send him the money directly.

2. For the last 2 orders yes, before it was through Paypal. The last order through Paypal goes back to November 5th.

3. The seller is based in the UK, I'm based in France.

4. They are a private indidivual.

Indeed I would have been less suspicious if the weight was completely different to the goods I received, but as it matches exactly I can't help but to think it's a scam at this point. Still weird to think he waited 2 years to scam me, but I guess you never know people enough...

South_London_Postie · Post by **South_London_Postie** » 02 Feb 2017, 23:26

•are the order values always this large ?

•Why the change from a secure payment site (PayPal) to a vulnerable unregulated peer to peer transfer site?

•Could the full order have fitted in the package he sent to you?

•Have you specifically asked for the missing items to be sent or a refund be given? Did he refuse to assist.

•Do you have his full name and address ? (Do not post it online)

What i would suggest firstly is try and speaking to him again to see if you can come to an agreement. As someone said earlier it could be a genuine mistake but either way he is still accountable.

Failing that advise him if he does not provide a solution tell him you may be left with no choice other than to file a claim from the small claims court against him.

I am not qualified to advise you how best to go about this as it is cross borders but as both countries are in the EU it can be done.

I threatened a seller in the Netherlands once and got my money back the same day. The thought of being taken to court usually helps most people think sensibly.

Have a read through this for more info. http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/co ... dex_en.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Typlo · Post by **Typlo** » 02 Feb 2017, 23:41

South_London_Postie wrote:•are the order values always this large ?

•Why the change from a secure payment site (PayPal) to a vulnerable unregulated peer to peer transfer site?

•Could the full order have fitted in the package he sent to you?

•Have you specifically asked for the missing items to be sent or a refund be given? Did he refuse to assist.

•Do you have his full name and address ? (Do not post it online)

What i would suggest firstly is try and speaking to him again to see if you can come to an agreement. As someone said earlier it could be a genuine mistake but either way he is still accountable.

Failing that advise him if he does not provide a solution tell him you may be left with no choice other than to file a claim from the small claims court against him.

I am not qualified to advise you how best to go about this as it is cross borders but as both countries are in the EU it can be done.

I threatened a seller in the Netherlands once and got my money back the same day. The thought of being taken to court usually helps most people think sensibly.

Have a read through this for more info. http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/co ... dex_en.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

•Actually some orders were even higher and everything always went smoothly up until now.

•Mainly because I trusted him, and the fact that it was cheaper for me to pay him that way due to the exchange rate. After 15 orders with no issues, I didn't think twice...obviously a wrong move.

•Yes everything could have fitted easily.

•I asked for the goods, a refund, a partial refund even. The only solution he offered me is an insurance claim for £50. But I'd still be missing £400.
•Yes I have his full name and address, I even have his Facebook and his employer name. I told him all that, it didn't seem to scare him, last thing he told me was "Do what you think is good for you".

If it wasn't for the parcel weight and the fact that it took over one month (when it usually took him a week) to send me the goods, I may have believed his story.
I checked the other parcels he sent me : everything single time the weight was accurrate, and the only time it goes wrong suddenly the weight is mislabeled? I have a hard time buying it, even though I trusted him. I feel betrayed, it's not only about the £450 really.

Thanks anyway for all your advices! I'll try one more time to get something out of him, otherwise as you said I'll see to file a claim from the small claims court against him.

South_London_Postie · Post by **South_London_Postie** » 03 Feb 2017, 00:12

Okay you are welcome. Always remember the number one rule of buying online. Never give up your buyer protection to save money as it will almost always cost you more in the long run.

Two other options to look into is

Transferwise are in fact regulated by the FCA (Fincancial Conduct Authority) in the U.K and it covers Eaa countries. I can tell you they do not mess about when it comes to treating customers fairly. so get in touch with transferwise for help they may be able to intervene. Mention that you will be getting the FCA involved if they fob you off. Usually that's enough for a senior manager to step in and issue a " goodwill refund" to keep the FCA off their back.

You would have used a bank account of some sort to transfer the money into transferwise so they may well be able to help aswell so get in touch with your card provider and use your local regulator to your advantage in case they try to fob you off too.

Best of luck.

Typlo · Post by **Typlo** » 03 Feb 2017, 00:34

South_London_Postie wrote:Okay you are welcome. Always remember the number one rule of buying online. Never give up your buyer protection to save money as it will almost always cost you more in the long run.

Two other options to look into is

Transferwise are in fact regulated by the FCA (Fincancial Conduct Authority) in the U.K and it covers Eaa countries. I can tell you they do not mess about when it comes to treating customers fairly. so get in touch with transferwise for help they may be able to intervene. Mention that you will be getting the FCA involved if they fob you off. Usually that's enough for a senior manager to step in and issue a " goodwill refund" to keep the FCA off their back.

You would have used a bank account of some sort to transfer the money into transferwise so they may well be able to help aswell so get in touch with your card provider and use your local regulator to your advantage in case they try to fob you off too.

Best of luck.

At this point this sounds like the most viable solution!
Thanks very much I'll be in contact with them tomorrow and keep this thread updated! It may help others too.

Post by **Snaggletooth** » 03 Feb 2017, 07:24

Nuclear option (use with caution):

Discussing a sale via eBay's messaging service but then making the sale via an outside payment method is a breach of eBay's rules. If this sounds like your situation, you could reported him to eBay and he will probably get banned from eBay. The problem is that you might get banned too, and I'm not sure it will help in getting your money back.

Typlo · Post by **Typlo** » 03 Feb 2017, 08:39

Snaggletooth wrote:Nuclear option (use with caution):

Discussing a sale via eBay's messaging service but then making the sale via an outside payment method is a breach of eBay's rules. If this sounds like your situation, you could reported him to eBay and he will probably get banned from eBay. The problem is that you might get banned too, and I'm not sure it will help in getting your money back.

I've got an account there since 2001, so I'd be really sad to lose it, even for £450...He's not even that active on EBay so I'd probably be more annoyed than him!
I've contacted Transferwise in hope that the FCA argument will be enough for them to act.