I am a numpty - Small Ads rip-off

[SICbass]

I saw a pedal I was after for a decent price, but it was collection only and the guy lives about 190 km away. The ad was friendly and even had details like "It's marked with my preferred settings (see pics), but I can easily remove these at the buyer's request". He was a bit slow replying when I said I was interested, but he did finally respond. I said, a mate of mine is playing on your town in a few weeks - if I pay in advance (PayPal Family and Friends - my own suggestion 🤦‍♂️ ) can he pick it up then? "yeah, no problem, let's do that".

 

I paid and it's been radio silence since then, both on eBay Small Ads and emails (he gave me his email for the PayPal transfer). No address and no contact phone number. Yesterday was the day for the pick-up and no sign of him.

 

What gets me most about this, isn't that I got myself ripped off. It's the fact that, given that it was collection only (plus all the details etc.), it probably wasn't even a deliberate scammer. It looks like a legit seller who just saw an opportunity and took it. Sickening.

 

May his next t*rd be a hedgehog.

[Burns-bass]

Sorry to hear this. It’s a sad reminder that there are scumbags out there. If you have his address and details it’s worth sending details to the (non urgent) police email address.

 

 

[SICbass]

Thanks, I will be doing this today.

[SICbass]

In situations like this, I always have to remind myself that I'll get over the money (it was only €80,-), but he will wake up every day being a c**t. Which of us is worse off?

[SICbass]

4 hours ago, Burns-bass said:

Sorry to hear this. It’s a sad reminder that there are scumbags out there. If you have his address and details it’s worth sending details to the (non urgent) police email address.

 

 

 

Done.

[Burns-bass]

2 hours ago, SICbass said:

 

Done.

It may not help you but it could help build a case against them.

 

Sometimes the police will act.

[SICbass]

1 hour ago, Burns-bass said:

It may not help you but it could help build a case against them.

 

Sometimes the police will act.

 

Exactly. I've waved the cash goodbye, but if I only manage to prevent this happening again, then it's worth it.

 

And frankly, I'm small minded enough that I'd get a kick out of messing with the f*cker's day.