[etoile]

I bought concert tickets for a lot of money on ebay in June (yes, risky, and yes, my bad). Turned up to the concert on the weekend just gone to find out they were fake.

Clearly raising a dispute is past Paypal's 45-day limit, and past ebay's 60 day limit. However, the seller emailed me the pdf tickets from his work email address (which is legitimate - I have checked). So I have his full name, phone number and place of work.

I have so far sent a couple of friendly emails saying "the tickets were fake, hope we can resolve this". Have heard nothing back. My next step is to report it to PayPal (they say to report sellers even if it's after 45 days). Then I will report him to the police. I also have a mind to contact his employer to inform them that he is using work resources to conduct illegal activities.

I'm just not sure how to frame my plans to the seller. I don't want to threaten him or get him offside, but I want him to be aware that I am taking this very seriously and will escalate it if necessary. I would prefer to email him to have everything in writing; I am not comfortable calling him on the phone. I would like to give him the benefit of the doubt if it was an honest mistake (although I highly doubt it).

Any ideas on how to proceed from this point?

[Tigerdog]

I wouldn't worry about getting him offside at all, it's not like you have anything to lose since he deliberately set out to defraud you, it's not likely he's going to now be remorseful and reimburse you. I think you can word it in such a way as to be firm but not threatening - and it isn't a threat anyway if you fully intend to take further action via legitimate channels, there's nothing wrong with that and you're right to have everything in writing. Make sure you follow through, OP!

I would also approach Ebay and PayPal regardless of what they state their dispute limitations are. They may still take some action based on the fact that there are obviously people out there deliberately taking advantage of the restrictions by selling items that are only claimable beyond the dispute resolution time period. Good luck!

This post has been edited by Tigerdog: 21/11/2012, 02:54 PM

[beaglebaby]

I'd report it to Ebay and Paypal, but they will only suspend him, they most likely wont do anything to help you. I'd also contact the police, what he has done is fraud.

[FoxyRetro*Gal]

Clearly raising a dispute is past Paypal's 45-day limit, and past ebay's 60 day limit. However, the seller emailed me the pdf tickets from his work email address (which is legitimate - I have checked). So I have his full name, phone number and place of work.

Seems odd that he has left such a trail if he deliberately set out to commit fraud.

I think you are able to request contact details from ebay, I forget how to do it now but 'live help' should give you the answer. I realise you have them already but it may be worth checking just in case some of the details have changed.
I'd give him a few days to respond and then report it to the police if you get nothing.

This post has been edited by FoxyRetro*Gal: 21/11/2012, 02:58 PM

[snortle]

I'd be giving him 48 hours to return the money and then if he didn't I'd go to the police.
I would not give a hoot about getting him offside. I would tell him straight out you intend to have him charged unless he returns the money immediately.

[seeingstraight]

Send him a message saying if he does not plan to refund your money you will report him to the police for fraud.
report him to his place of employment ect
Dont bother being nice its obvious he isnt

[Tigerdog]

Seems odd that he has left such a trail if he deliberately set out to commit fraud.

The hide of some people is astounding, it seems like he's gotten away with it before and obviously counts on people not bothering to follow through with any process. The OP should call his bluff and involve the police.

Make sure you come back and update, OP as I'd be interested to know if the police would take such a thing seriously or just fob it off as 'buyer beware'.

This post has been edited by Tigerdog: 21/11/2012, 03:02 PM

[MrsLexiK]

My understanding of buying tickets is the buyer can get into just about as much trouble as the person selling the tickets.

[solongsuckers]

I'd be going straight to the police

[Tigerdog]

My understanding of buying tickets is the buyer can get into just about as much trouble as the person selling the tickets.

But she didn't know they were fake, he sold them under false pretences. If she didn't know they were fake then how could she have been complicit in a criminal offence - you wouldn't knowingly pay out hundreds for an item you knew was worthless, that's a crazy idea.

You're thinking of scalpers selling real tickets at vastly inflated prices, a different scenario altogether.

This post has been edited by Tigerdog: 21/11/2012, 03:10 PM