AVOID at all costs!!!!!!

[debbied4325]

I feel like such a fool to be honest!  I purchased concert tickets way back in August 2013 for a concert in Perth for February.  They were expensive $1,008 but I have previously had great dealings up until now!

I contacted the seller and was advised the tickets would be sent out as soon as he received them.....Now I know I'm too trusting and I patiently waited.....I know I waited way too long and the timeframe lapsed where I was able to leave any feedback....first BIG mistake. 

To cut a long story short he ignored all my emails, calls (his phone was never switched on) and all contact from eBay.  The day before the concert I receive a text from the buyer (finally) asking what day tickets I was after. I'm in Perth and the ticket seller is from Sydney.  Again many messages back and forth and he then promises he will REFUND me my $1,008 within 2 business days and apologises profusely..... 

He then sends me a message that he will process my refund once the negative feedback has been removed!!! I couldn't leave any feedback and I let him know this.....it was obviously from another disgruntled buyer and that's the last I heard from him!!!! No tickets, No refund and he completely ignores me and his phone is always switched off!  He is currently "under investigation" with eBay but still merrily trading!!! I have reported him to the NSW cyber squad but I honestly feel I have done my money big time.

[debbied4325]

*** Should read finally received a text from the seller.....

Sorry......

[thecatspjs]

There is a whole lot you can do if they are an Australian business seller.

Contact your States office of fair trading and start civil action to recover your funds - the costs are not onerous, and the amount is definatley worth pursuing.

[retailtherapist_8]

WOW....I gotta say I really feel for you. That is a lot of money to be taken for. It constantly amazes me how Sellers like this can 1. Live with themselves 2.Continue to trade 3. Escape any kind penalty.

I guess from the sound of it buying tickets for anything on ebay is way too risky.  

I hope you manage to get some sort of justice.

Best of luck with it.

[debbied4325]

Many thanks for the help.... I will definitely contact fair trading on Tuesday (public holiday here tomorrow).

I just hope this seller is stopped soon as it looks like he has fleeced quite a few unsuspecting buyers....

Thanks once again.

[darryl-1774]

Anything over what you CAN afford is worth thinking hard about, eBay protected a seller from action.. would not even find out if an item was even sent or not... sellers site !

[darryl-1774]

Anything over what you CAN NOTafford is worth thinking hard about, eBay protected a seller from action.. would not even find out if an item was even sent or not... sellers site !

[darryl-1774]

Sorry mistake twice dam phone.. more than you can afford too lose... is worth lots of thoughts..

[chameleon54]

---

@ darryl-1774 wrote:
Anything over what you CAN NOTafford is worth thinking hard about, eBay protected a seller from action.. would not even find out if an item was even sent or not... sellers site !

---

I also feel for the buyer, she definatly appears to have been scammed.

Darryl your "sellers site" & "Ebay protected seller from action" comments are a little unfair. HOW did ebay "protect seller from action" ???  ( as there was no action ) The OP has addmitted she was too trusting and left it way to long to quiry the problems she was experiencing, or to leave feedback. Had she payed with paypal and followed ebays resolution  procedures and lodged an item not recieved case within the allocated timeframe, she would have recieved all of her money back ( taken directly from the sellers account ) . It appears from the OP,s message that the seller was also responsive to the negative feedback left by another buyer and would have refunded the money in order to have the neg. removed. Ebay has excellant buyer protection systems in place, which definatley favor buyers over sellers. It is up to buyers to familiarise themeselves with the processes and timeframes for ebay protection and use them. I agree with other comments that ebay should be doing more to police unscupulous sellers, ( and unscrupulous buyers ) but if they have very robust systems in place to protect buyers, it is a little unfair to make comments such as "sellers site"  &  "ebay protected seller" when the buyer does not use the systems that are in place. SORRY OP, you appear to be a very genuine, honest person who has had the misfortune to be scammed by an unscrupulous "low life". Unfortunatly these type of people operate in all areas of the internet, ebay being no different to other selling sites. There are many great sellers on this site who go to extroadanary lengths to keep thier buyers happy. I trust you have many wonderfull ebay experiences with these sellers in the future.

[debbied4325]

Just an update I just spoke to eBay and apparently the seller is unable to sell anymore items on this site?? I am still a little confused though as he stil has listings up? but I've been told if a buyer attempts to buy any of his concert tickets they will receive an email from eBay saying that that's not possible. Not sure how this works?

My work is done and I feel good that I might have saved any unsuspecting buyers.  I've lodged a complaint with the NSW cyber squad but these things take serious time I know that. Also civil action is pending but again I have to be patient......

I have learnt a lot......I still love eBay but will NEVER EVER transfer funds directly into someone's bank account again.  I so wish that option wasn't even on eBay but you live and learn. 

Thank you for all your comments.....mostly of which were positive and very helpful.

Vip indeed!!!!!!