Dishonest Seller..how to avoid other sellers from falling into the trap?

[christalle]

I purchased a beauty device at about $300.  The listing says "International Expedidte Shipping" and the estimated arrival time on the listing is no longer than 2 weeks.  A couple of days after my purchase, I noticed the seller generated a tracking label and marked the item as shipped.  I waited a few days before I got on FedEx website to check on the shipping status.  It still says "label generated" with no other tracking information provided.  After a week, I contacted the seller to find out what happen on the shipment.  The buyer admited that she has none in stock thus causing the delay in shipment.  She also asked if I want a refund.  I responded and asked her 3 days ago how long it would take for her to get it in stock (so that I can decide if I want a refund) and she has not responded.  

I am upset because this dishonet seller tried to cheat on eBay by providing a fales tracking number (so that she can keep up with her service rating) and has the activie listing with multiple items to sell while she has admitted she has none in stock.  She still has the same listing on eBay claiming she has more than 10 in stock and offers expedidted shipping.  It is so wrong.  I want to avoid other buyers from falling into the same trap.  If she ends up refunding me, then I may not be able to post a negative feedback and let other potential buyers know about her dishonet practice.  Is there any action I can take now? 

[digupatin]

The seller has shown that they can not be trusted.

Open an Item Not Received case as soon as possible and you can still leave them negative feedback with a suitable comment and 1 star for the DSR's.

[harley_babes_hoard]

You obviously did not read feedback first, otherwise why would you purchase from someone with so many negs. This is how you avoid falling into the same trap.

Lodge an item not received dispute

[phorum_junkie*]

The seller has not done anything wrong by creating the shipping label, although that gives the tracking number it would not show as valid for ebay or Paypal until the item is actually posted, something that can happen if a seller does not realise their stock has run out.  While in this case it is obvious it is a carp seller who you should never have gone near just open an item not received dispute and if the seller gives ebay or Paypal (depending which dispute system you use) the tracking number just give them a call and point out that the shipping label has been created but nothing has been posted.