I THINK I'VE BEEN SPIKED!!!

[Protozaius]

Well, it looks like my search for a Spike continues after all.:monkey2

The seller that I purchased him from has yet to respond to my persistent e-mails for an update on the status of my item for the last six days.

While I was managing my Ebay auctions on Monday, I noticed a notation that appears on My Ebay page under "Items That I've Won" heading that stated the seller who sold it to me is no longer registered with Ebay. I've shot a few e-mails to him since then with no word back.

I have a feeling that I'm not getting a Spike from this seller.

Strange, the seller is a UK seller with a clean feedback profile. He had a rating of 35 with 50 overall positive feedbacks and NO negatives or neutrals.

I'm not sure what my options are here. According to Ebay rules. I know I have to wait a few days before I can file anything about this with them. I paid for the "Second Chance" auction with Paypal. I'm hoping to get my money back but I'm not sure if the fact that the seller is an International seller will be a negative factor. In the eight years doing business on Ebay, this is the first time I got shafted.

I guess I was due. :o

In hindsight, I should have taken your offer, Firefly Flanatic! I would have had him in my hands by now. :monkey2

[Josette]

I'm sorry to hear that, Protozaius. Definitely file as soon as you can... Hope you can get your money back at least.

I got the shaft once, by a person with 100% positive feedback. I wanted the items so badly and I let them manipulate me. I lost the money. It was an awful experience. Thinking about it still upsets me.

[BDboystoys]

Sorry to hear the bad news Proto! I'm sure one will come your way eventually even if this one doesnt end with a spike in your arms!

[theverse]

That's horrible, I hope he comes through and sends out your Spike!!!!

[Darth Rage]

Interesting....I just got screwed on one by a UK seller too. Used BIN and payed right away and then got an email the next day from him saying there was a mistake in the listing and that the item was unavailable. Got a refund with a bit of a hassel.
:emperor :emperor :emperor

[Migwit]

That truly sucks, Protozaius. (sighs) OK, it's back on the hunt for a Human Spike! :o

But maybe this seller will grow a conscience and send you the figure you paid for. Good luck, and keep us apprised. :grouphug

[Firefly Flanatic]

That really sucks! I still have my daughter's available if it doesn't work out for you. But, give it a few more days and maybe they'll come through.

I had one bad experience with Ebay myself. Bought an Xbox package with a ton of games and then never got it. I paid through paypal but used my credit card to pay it with and let them take care of it. It took about a year to get it all straightened out but I did eventually get my money back. MasterCard took care of it (even though there was a lot of paperwork and letters back and forth).

[Darklord Dave]

I've had fake "second chance" emails sent to me. Sent by someone other than the original seller, they pretend to be offering a 2nd item for the same bid price. Was there anything suspicious about the 2nd chance email?

[Seaward]

Zaius, I think Dave might be onto something. Did you get a copy of the Second Chance offer in your ebay account page? I buy some pricey stuff on ebay on behalf of my dad who isn't really computer literate, and we get flooded with offers for a "second chance" that are often bogus. I have also seen (and been victim of) sellers who list many items in a short period, collect a lot of money, and then shut down their accounts, even with pretty good feedback!

[Fritz]

Can you check the sellers contact information and get their phone number? If so, call him/her and see what happens.

[Josette]

Definitely agree with Fritz....there's no harm in trying to contact the seller by other means if they can't be reached by email.

[Protozaius]

Zaius, I think Dave might be onto something. Did you get a copy of the Second Chance offer in your ebay account page? I buy some pricey stuff on ebay on behalf of my dad who isn't really computer literate, and we get flooded with offers for a "second chance" that are often bogus. I have also seen (and been victim of) sellers who list many items in a short period, collect a lot of money, and then shut down their accounts, even with pretty good feedback!

Yeah, I have a link to the transaction on My Ebay page... it even tells me that I have paid for the item. I used the auction link in my Paypal payment.

Unfortunately, the seller (who did have 100% positive feedback) did not have
a rating of 50 or more so I will not be eligible for the Paypal Buyer Protection program. If I read the fine print right, because of this I may get my money back IF there is money already in the account.

I sincerely doubt that he will be stupid enough to leave the money in the account.

I did get his contact information. I'm going to try to get a hold of him this weekend. Let's see if this works. But I'm thinking that IF I get in touch with him he will have some quick excuse but will keep the item... if he even ever had it.

Given how quick he was to answer my e-mails BEFORE I paid him, I think he has no intention of making good on the transaction.

Then I'll have to add the cost of a long distance call to the UK to the tab of this mistake.

[abstractharmony]

Dude,

PM me his info and the auctions info & stuff. I'll give him a ring for you. I'm in the UK and a very scary sounding Mancunian!

[Seaward]

Good luck Zaius, sometimes this stuff is quickly resolved with a phone call. Maybe his computer got knocked out. Weirder things have happened on ebay. Failing that, sic abstractharmony on 'em!

[Wor-Gar]

Dude,

PM me his info and the auctions info & stuff. I'll give him a ring for you. I'm in the UK and a very scary sounding Mancunian!

That's awesome. Do it, Proto!

And if Proto does, Abstract, you have to give us a full report.

[abstractharmony]

No problemo,

I'm feeling the need to deal out some justice to dodgy e-bay sellers...

[Protozaius]

No problemo,

I'm feeling the need to deal out some justice to dodgy e-bay sellers...

Check your PMs. You might just find something in there. :monkey3 :monkey3 :monkey3

[abstractharmony]

OK!

Done!

The telephone number that had been provided to e-bay was incorrect. So after a bit of Sherlock Holmes detective work I tracked down the correct number and spoke to Andrew's father.

This man was incredibly nice. He said that Andrew had been very busy packaging up a lot of auctions this week. He went to check the living room and confirmed that there was a Human Spike there in the pile of Auction things.

I explained that you had been chasing by e-mail but with no response and you were, understandably, getting a bit jittery. As Andrew was out I didn't speak to him but his dad assured me that he would get Andrew to e-mail you tonight and send out the package on Monday.

Job's a good 'un!

So - within 7-10 days you'll have your spike and the world will be right again!

I'll keep hold of his number just in case there is still no contact. Drop me a mail if you haven't heard anything by Wednesday and I'll give him another call.

He also only lived 5 minutes up the road so I could 'pay him a visit' if things don't go to plan!!!!!!!!!!

:emperor


Hope this is OK.

Mark!

[Firefly Flanatic]

Great sleuthing Abstract!!! Glad to hear it's not another Ebay rip-off story. I don't know why sellers don't contact buyers and let them know what's going on. I've had some that never reply once I've paid and I have to e-mail them to make sure they got paid and ask when the package is coming.

Zauis, let us all know when you finally get him!

[Darth Rage]

Good to see people helping each other out. :D

[Protozaius]

OK!

Done!

The telephone number that had been provided to e-bay was incorrect. So after a bit of Sherlock Holmes detective work I tracked down the correct number and spoke to Andrew's father.

This man was incredibly nice. He said that Andrew had been very busy packaging up a lot of auctions this week. He went to check the living room and confirmed that there was a Human Spike there in the pile of Auction things.

I explained that you had been chasing by e-mail but with no response and you were, understandably, getting a bit jittery. As Andrew was out I didn't speak to him but his dad assured me that he would get Andrew to e-mail you tonight and send out the package on Monday.

Job's a good 'un!

So - within 7-10 days you'll have your spike and the world will be right again!

I'll keep hold of his number just in case there is still no contact. Drop me a mail if you haven't heard anything by Wednesday and I'll give him another call.

He also only lived 5 minutes up the road so I could 'pay him a visit' if things don't go to plan!!!!!!!!!!


Hope this is OK.

Mark!

I'm speechless. Wow... that about all that I can say....WOW!

I can't thank you enough for your time and effort. It just proof positive that the members of this board are peerless.

SO after reading your post, one question came to mind: how old is Master Andrew? Or is it Andy? Am I dealing with a minor?:confused:

And you stated that Andy's dad saw a Spike in the mix with all of his auction stuff. Well, I hope he has more than one. I looked at the original auction that he ran again. Here it is:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6051094598

I was the fourth highest bidder listed. I can only assume that he offered a Spike to all of the above.... if not below me as well. Who knows how many have lined up to get a piece of Master Andrew. How many Spikes has this guy promised? Perhaps if there is only ONE Spike, then THAT one will go to the original high bidder of the original auction. I was only given a Second Chance offer to buy Spike.

I will await an e-mail. But I can't help be a little skeptical. There might be a need for a "drive by". If Andy is in fact a boy, maybe drive by in an Ice Cream truck to smoke him out his house. :monkey3 :monkey3 :monkey3

Again THANX, Abstractharmony.


:rock :rock :rock YOU ROCK!!!:rock :rock :rock

[abstractharmony]

No Problemo!

After all 'if you offend one, you offend them all' - right?

I can truly say that I will be surprised if his Dad doesn't get him to send the package to you. From what he said one the phone today he actually had loads of Spikes that he had bought with his dad's credit card!!!!

Plus I'm not above dealing out the justice to a minor but the real question is, by setting up what is for all intents and purposes a 'credit' account using his father's card has he broken a law? Yes is the answer to that question and his dad will have to assume full liability.

Either way you'll have your cash or your Spike!

[Migwit]

So, Protozaius, any word on if and when Spike will be in da house? :confused:

[Protozaius]

So, Protozaius, any word on if and when Spike will be in da house? :confused:

Still no Spike.:o

Abstractharmony PMed me last weekend to tell me that he talked to the boy's father again. The dad told him that he believed the item was shipped out last Tuesday. I'm hoping that the dad is more responsible than his son. :o

So it's only been a week since the purported shipping. Still, it's getting hard to be patient about this matter. It feels like forever since I purchased it. :monkey2 :monkey2 :monkey2

[Migwit]

Well, fingers crossed for ya! I know you'll let us know as soon as it arrives, and I have high hopes since the dad said it was shipping/shipping.

Thanks for the update! I just KNOW you'll get this! :D

[Firefly Flanatic]

Well hopefully it is truly on its way to you. I hope you get it soon. Did you ever get an e-mail from him?

[Protozaius]

Well hopefully it is truly on its way to you. I hope you get it soon. Did you ever get an e-mail from him?

It's funny... I NEVER did. :monkey2 :monkey2 :monkey2

[abstractharmony]

OK - I'm gonna assume that you haven't had Spike.

I'm gonna give him a ring and go round tonight either to collect Spike, your cash or at the very least get a hold of the proof of postage.

If he gives me a Spike then I will make sure that he is posted tomorrow, Cash I'll Paypal it over to you, proof of postage - I'll scan and e-mail it to you.

I'll post later.

M!

[abstractharmony]

OK!

Another successful bust...

It would appear that after I spoke to daddy at the weekend that Jr. got his *** whupped.

Get this - despite telling his dad he had sent it - he hadn't!!!!!!

After 4 hours of trying the house by telephone every 15 mins I finally spoke to momsie who told me that she herself had taken the package to the post office and sent it 'international signed for' on Tuesday 8th May.

Now this is the best and fastest (and naturally most expensive) way to send a package and it takes 5-7 days so You should have it tomorrow or Monday at the latest.

Unfortunately, as I only got through at 9.30pm it was too late to go over but she assures me that she has the customs receipt and proof of postage and she seemed very embarrassed that her son had put her in this position.

Tenancity! Always the best policy!

BTW - I checked the electoral roll for the area today and it would appear that Jr. is over 18 and therefore eligible for an *** kicking.....LOL

So - there you go, the latest chapter in the adventure of the missing spike!

[Migwit]

Abstractharmony, you are my hero! (And it's not even MY Spike that's on the way!) :chew :chew :chew :chew :chew

[Protozaius]

OK!

Another successful bust...

It would appear that after I spoke to daddy at the weekend that Jr. got his *** whupped.

Get this - despite telling his dad he had sent it - he hadn't!!!!!!

After 4 hours of trying the house by telephone every 15 mins I finally spoke to momsie who told me that she herself had taken the package to the post office and sent it 'international signed for' on Tuesday 8th May.

Now this is the best and fastest (and naturally most expensive) way to send a package and it takes 5-7 days so You should have it tomorrow or Monday at the latest.

Unfortunately, as I only got through at 9.30pm it was too late to go over but she assures me that she has the customs receipt and proof of postage and she seemed very embarrassed that her son had put her in this position.

Tenancity! Always the best policy!

BTW - I checked the electoral roll for the area today and it would appear that Jr. is over 18 and therefore eligible for an *** kicking.....LOL

So - there you go, the latest chapter in the adventure of the missing spike!

Boy this Jr. character is some piece of work! I wonder if this doesn't get his *** kicked out of the house. :D

Should I dare to hope that Spike will be darkening my doorstep soon? :monkey5 :monkey5 :monkey5

Again, I can't thank you enough for all of your "tenacity." :chew :chew :chew

[abstractharmony]

Well She-it!

I done gone an' spelled it wrong din I?

Say it wit' me fella. :-

TIN - A - SIT - EE

[Migwit]

:rotfl :rotfl :rotfl :rotfl

[Protozaius]

Well She-it!

I done gone an' spelled it wrong din I?

Say it wit' me fella. :-

TIN - A - SIT - EE

OH GEEZ!!!

I REALLY didn't want to make it look at I was correcting your spelling, Abstractharmony... it was just my lame attempt at underscoring your personal efforts with " ".

But looking at my post again it does look like I'm correcting you... how lame it that? After all of your selfless efforts to score me my Spike, I make it look like I'm slapping your wrist with a ruler.

NOT MY INTENTION... SORRY!!!