Protect your Auctions! Doba Can help you with Tracking

I don’t want this to happen to you when you start selling on ebay. One day I was scouting some stuff to sell on ebay at this Antique Shop in Biloxi, Mississippi. As I walked up to the front door of the shop a man stopped me and asked if this was my store. I told him I was just a customer. He mentioned he possessed a large collection of Lionel Trains that he inherited from his Grandfather. He needed cash and was trying to pawn them. I told him I was interested. (Read the rest of this amazing story in my book)

After acquiring these vintage Lionel Trains I was rolling on ebay. Big cash nearly $7K in January. But remember this is when I was new and naive to ebay, paypal and USPS shipping. I was a brand new ebay baby still in diapers. One man purchased a Lionel NYC Engine from me on ebay for $500. I was stoked, considering I bought the train collection for $600 I was nearly even on my train investment.

This was one of my first sales, this Lionel 2344 New York Central Diesel Engine. The transaction was smooth my customer purchased it, paid with PayPal, I shipped it to him and I was $500 richer. I was so excited. Almost a month later Paypal took money out of my account. I was in the whole freaking out. What happened? This man filed a chargeback with his credit card company which was American Express. I was furious. I tried to find a way to get my money considering this guy had my train and now he had my money! Paypal let him keep his money and I never got my train back. It was a HUGE error on my part. I did not put a delivery confirmation on my package shipped to this man. He pretty much got a free $500 potentially $900 dollar item on ebay for FREE! Delivery confirmations are .50 at the Post office and a few cents more if you ship priority. First thing I did was filed an online Mail Fraud Form it got the ball rolling. If you need the form you can click here.

In the end I got my money back. All this trouble for a .50 cent delivery confirmation… Golden rule: Always put a delivery confirmation on your packages when shipping from home. DOBA PROVIDES UPDATED TRACKING FOR ALL YOUR PACKAGES SO THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN TO YOU!

This is email correspondence from my customer who eventually sent me a check for $500 After Hurricane Katrina destroyed my home. After speaking with him on the phone he told my he would write this check of as a donation on his taxes. What a punk he was…

(You may want to read from the bottom to the top of the transcript.)
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From: ME
Sent: Thursday, November 03, 2005 3:31 PM
To: Strauss
Subject: RE: Lionel 2344 New York Central Diesel

Let me know when you mailed it.... After I receive funds and it clears at the bank I will withdraw the case with Police. Until then I have no choice but to fallow through with that agency. I’m sorry.

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I plan on mailing it out this weekend

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From: ME
Sent: Friday, October 28, 2005 10:59 AM
To: Strauss
Subject: RE: Lionel 2344 New York Central Diesel

I thought about that last night, What is the time line going to be for the check to be sent my way so I can keep and eye out for it?
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Nathan:

Just for the record AMEX did re-charge my account after issuing a temporary credit. I can’t imagine that you don’t have enough on your mind at the moment, haven’t suffered enough that you really have the time (or energy) to deal with generally uncaring large companies.

I have generously contributed to a number of Katrina relief funds which were matched by the company I work for (large but caring). Don’t get me wrong – this isn’t charity as you sold me and I now possess the goods – but if I am not able to clear this up with AMEX (forget about PayPal) in my mind I’ll think of it as another donation (the IRS of course will feel differently).

Yours truly,
Strauss

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That’s right you’re from the Gulf Region. How did you survive Katrina? I hope you were able to evacuate.
Did you loose everything?
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From: ME
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2005 3:45 PM
To: Strauss
Subject: RE: Lionel 2344 New York Central Diesel

Yup... Waiting for Police department

-----Original Message-----
From: Strauss, Lewis [mailto:Lewis.Straussm]
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2005 2:33 PM
To: ME
Subject: RE: Lionel 2344 New York Central Diesel

So you're saying you're still out this money?
That is not right.

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I checked with American Express. They did indeed re-bill me the $514.00. At that time payment was made to PayPal
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From: ME
Sent: Thursday, August 04, 2005 2:58 PM
To: Strauss
Subject: RE: Lionel 2344 New York Central Diesel

Mr. Strauss,

Still I haven't received anything from AMEX to Paypal. What are we going to do about this?

-----Original Message-----
From: Strauss, Lewis [mailto:Lewis.Straussm]
Sent: Monday, June 20, 2005 10:21 AM
To: 'ME
Subject: RE: Lionel 2344 New York Central Diesel

I called Amex on Friday to reinstate the charge to my account. What happens between them and the vendor (PayPal)???

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First of all your item has been shipped PRIORITY. IT is up to the post office to deliver your item. Please be patient as your item will arrive. I apologize for the inconvenience. Please let me know when you receive your item.

-----Original Message-----
From: Strauss, Lewis [mailto:Lewis.Straussm]
Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2005 8:11 AM
To: ME
Subject: Last Chance

Since I have not received this item (as of Wednesday) and you did not respond to my last e-mail regarding shipment information I have filed an inquiry with PayPal.

I will be filing a negative feedback response on ebay later today.

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I can see that you are frustrated as am I. I don’t like inconveniencing anyone. I am not out to cheat anyone. I have shipped your item and I have all information pertaining to your item.

Your Lionel NYC Engines were shipped to your appropriate address
Date sent January 31 at 11:17:53 AM
Your item was Mailed Priority for the Total of $16.30 (2.30 more than what you paid for shipping.)

If you would like me to mail a copy of my Postal Receipt (USPS) to you I will be happy to do so.

-----Original Message-----
From: Strauss, Lewis [mailto:Lewis.Straussm]
Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2005 8:43 AM
To: ME
Subject: ebay purchase

Nathan..

Your e-mail the other day indicated that I should receive the package on Monday. When it didn't arrive I sent you an e-mail, unanswered, simply requesting shipping info.
So when it didn't arrive yesterday I think you can understand my concern. I did not want to enter a negative feedback on ebay knowing once it's posted it stays no matter what.

Seeing that you've made far more purchases than sales on ebay I imagine you can understand my concern about this relatively expensive item. Not only about arrival, but whether the conditions described are accurate.

Regards,

Strauss

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Sir,
What does it take to resolve this? I understand that you want your money back. I can do that However, I would need the trains back. I have contacted PAYPAL. I have our case number and the same information that I provided you is going to the resolution center as my proof that I sent the item. So once you receive this item please send it back to me for your refund. If there is anything else I can do please fallow up. I appreciate your business.
N. Peterson
-----Original Message-----
From: Strauss, Lewis [mailto:Lewis.Straussm]
Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2005 8:43 AM
To: ME
Subject: ebay purchase

Nathan..

Your e-mail the other day indicated that I should receive the package on Monday. When it didn't arrive I sent you an e-mail, unanswered, simply requesting shipping info.
So when it didn't arrive yesterday I think you can understand my concern. I did not want to enter a negative feedback on ebay knowing once it's posted it stays no matter what.

Seeing that you've made far more purchases than sales on ebay I imagine you can understand my concern about this relatively expensive item. Not only about arrival, but whether the conditions described are accurate.

Regards,

Strauss

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