I transacted through craigslist, which I know can be shady at the best of times, but it is super upsetting. The guy had a stock picture of the PRS-650 but when I emailed to inquire about it, I specifically asked him to double check and make sure it's the PRS-650 and not the PRS-600 or the new T1 or a 350, etc. He replied and said it was the 650. I should have asked for pictures at the time, but I didn't.

He accepted checks but not paypal, I sent him a check, but before I did I sent him another email saying that I hate to be a pest but could he make sure it's the 650 and not the 600 as they look very similar. He said it was 650, I sent the check (cashier's check, so I don't think I can get it back unless he sends me a check in return..) along with a piece of paper asking him to make sure it's the 650 before he ships it as I am not interested in the 600 (you can tell that I've had confused sellers before, who I didn't buy from because they ultimately let me know they had a different model than the one they were advertising). The item shipped, and lo and behold, it's a 600 and not a 650.

I have his cell but when I just called he said he would call back in ten minutes (before I explained the problem). I guess we'll see if he does. If not, I can see if my bank can help, but I don't know if they will with the cashier's check.

I did not want a 600-for obvious reasons. The screen quality isn't even as good as my 505, let alone a 650.

Thanks, just wanted to vent. and yes, I know.. transacting over craigslist, without the benefit of the safety features of paypal, was likely a stupid thing to do.

The cashier's check was the big mistake. Any other payment form and you can stop it and do a chargeback. But cashier's check... might as well have sent him cash :(

Sorry to hear it. Think of it as a learning experience and try to move on?

Sorry for you.
This is very annoying and I perfectly understand, that you are upset. I would be. completely. pissed. off.

I am incredibly pissed off, but I'm still hoping that maybe it can be resolved if he made an honest mistake. Looking back at the fact that I inquired at least three times that it was a 650, it's hard to believe it could be an honest mistake.. so far no call back, but I did send him an email shortly after my own call explaining that I received a 600 not a 650, the differences between the two (the fact that the 600 is older, bad screen technology, etc.)

Next time send a US Postal Service Money Order. Then, if he sends you the wrong item, it is mail faraud.

Sorry to hear you got ripped off. How much did you pay?

You have the address and name you sent the check to.Contact the post office and/or the police about this. But first contact the seller and see what the seller is going to do.

Sorry I wasn't around very often during Thanksgiving to update this thread!

It seems the seller wants to do right and responded to my email saying that he's sorry, that Sony was sending them a refurbished model in exchange for their PRS-650, and he didn't know they sent him a PRS-600. He said to send it back and to include my shipping receipt and he will send me a refund. I am going to ship it today. It still makes me a little nervous because it's not simple like paypal--he will have to receive the PRS-600 and then send me a check back, and that could take time. but I think the guy made a mistake and wants to do the right thing, so I'm hoping it will all work out okay in the end.

Gah, that sounds scary. Sounds like he's setting you up just to get the item back so he can sell it again. Like you said, you mentioned it thrice and he still sent it to you. Sounds shadier than the basement of a two-storey cave to me.

It could be setup to be sent back COD so you get your money back for sure.

Gah, that sounds scary. Sounds like he's setting you up just to get the item back so he can sell it again. Like you said, you mentioned it thrice and he still sent it to you. Sounds shadier than the basement of a two-storey cave to me.

Indeed. Owner of 650 not noticing that he got 600 is hard to imagine.

Yeah I know I could still end up getting scammed, but I didn't really feel like I had other options. I wouldn't want to try to sell and recoup from the 600 itself, as I don't think the 600 series is a good e-reader at this point because of the screen glare issues. I'm just hoping it will work out alright.

Indeed. Owner of 650 not noticing that he got 600 is hard to imagine.

Yeah, and I truly did ask at least three times--it felt a little excessive, but at the same time, I do think the 650 and 600 series can be confusing to sellers/buyers who aren't as knowledgeable as we are. The only difference between the 650 and 600, externally, (well, other than the writing that says PRS-600....) is the black strip vs. silver strip. It was sold to me as a newly refurbished unit that Sony had sent them as a replacement for their 650, and the seller said he and his wife had just upgraded (to T1? I'm not sure) and didn't want the refurbished unit. So I can give him the benefit of the doubt, maybe he really didn't check at all, assuming Sony sent them a 650 rather than a 600.

I agree with spacebrew and kartu, and I wouldn't trust sending back the reader either. Why would he need the shipping receipt? Isn't that your only proof of the transaction and he's asking for it back? It sounds like you'd be left without a leg to stand on to contest the transaction.

If you can send it COD where he has to pay on shipment sounds like the safest and only way I'd trust this return.

I agree with spacebrew and kartu, and I wouldn't trust sending back the reader either. Why would he need the shipping receipt? Isn't that your only proof of the transaction and he's asking for it back? It sounds like you'd be left without a leg to stand on to contest the transaction.

If you can send it COD where he has to pay on shipment sounds like the safest and only way I'd trust this return.

Unfortunately I already sent it today before seeing these posts, but I did not include the shipping receipt since the package had the full shipping amount stamped on it. Anyways, seeing as I didn't really pay with a method that was going to be refundable on my part, I felt like I didn't have any choice but to send it back and hope that he was sincere when he said he made a mistake and would refund the full amount + my return shipping.

Unfortunately I already sent it today before seeing these posts, but I did not include the shipping receipt since the package had the full shipping amount stamped on it. Anyways, seeing as I didn't really pay with a method that was going to be refundable on my part, I felt like I didn't have any choice but to send it back and hope that he was sincere when he said he made a mistake and would refund the full amount + my return shipping.

I would follow up with him and mention that you hope he does the right thing so you don't have to notify the authorities. Mention that a family member who works in law enforcement is encouraging you to pursue that route NOW, but you're giving him the benefit of the doubt. Something to the effect to nudge him in the direction you wish him to take.

I would follow up with him and mention that you hope he does the right thing so you don't have to notify the authorities. Mention that a family member who works in law enforcement is encouraging you to pursue that route NOW, but you're giving him the benefit of the doubt. Something to the effect to nudge him in the direction you wish him to take.

Yeah I don't feel like I'm completely out of options if I need to "threaten action." Another reason I feel a little bit comforted is that he included his work email/work title in his signatures. But I did call his work (when I was trying to reach him the day I got the package) and was told that he no longer works there..... Shady, huh? but then I checked the email and noticed that he had a different signature in the last few emails with a different work title/phone # (same line of business), so I don't think.. unless he's impersonating someone (!) that he was actively trying to scam me. I don't know how much I could do if he decides not to cooperate, but it makes me "feel" better, you know?

The sound of stable doors shutting is thunderous, and I really do sympathise.
But, .....

Never return original documents - if he has problems because of that... it's his problem.

Do all you can to find as much detail as you can about the seller - you knew this was an iffy site.

Always pay on a "secure" method of settling (ie PaPal or you credit card - both have money-back facilities in cases of a scam.

Keep copies of every fragment of communication you ever sent about the transaction - it's easy, never throw anything away!.
If you havee doubts about the seller/site, never spend more than you can afford to lose.

Obvious, I know, and means fighting temptation, but use reputable, traceable, sites (with a good track record hear ?)

Finally.... if it sounds too good to be true, never forget there's a chance it might very well not be. :o

And to add to what Carpetmojo said never, ever, ever trust stock photos! Ever!!

I know people can surf the net and steal someone's photo that shows the item on a table as opposed to a stock photo from the manufacturer but it's better than a stock photo. Always protect yourself first. Some people will take advantage of others if given the opportunity.

Look at the fool woman in LA who pepper sprayed others for a $20 video game for crying out loud. There are stupid people out there and there are those who will take advantage of others.

I'm not liking what I'm reading here either.

I do hope it works out for you but I hear there's a bridge in New York for sale too.

Getting a check back is a BAD idea! Bounce. Stop payment. Closed account etc. Bad, bad, bad!! I can sign emails as president of Bank of America if I wanted. Check the email addy that you received the email from. If it's not from the company they claim to work for, there's an issue. Also, most reputable companies do NOT want employees using their title/employment status in communications that have nothing to do with that company. Clearly the guy selling a used 600 is personal and not company related.

At this point seajewel I would just call it a day and sell the 600 on ebay. You should at least get $50-$70 for it. What did you pay for the 650? (Im guessing around $200, I just sold mine for about $205 a couple weeks ago) So you will be out about $130.

Good lesson learned. :thumbsup:

I wouldnt let this cause you anymore heartache. It could have been worse and he could have sent you an empty box.

EDIT: Forget what I said I see you already sent it back. Let us know what happens.

Curious to see what happens here. You're very brave (or something) to send the thing back to the guy after he already screwed you once. I would have demanded he return the money first since he was the one who made the mistake. Hope things work out ok!

Curious to see what happens here. You're very brave (or something) to send the thing back to the guy after he already screwed you once. I would have demanded he return the money first since he was the one who made the mistake. Hope things work out ok!

I'm not disputing that it's a little naive or even stupid to have sent the item back, but I guess I decided to put my faith into hoping that it was a genuine mistake. Of course there are scammers and I may get scammed. I did not pay that much for the item, by the way. 650s have been going for $100-115 on ebay that I've been watching, although of course some go for more. There was a like new one for $120 that I passed up too while waiting for this item, but after receiving the 600 my desire for the 650 has sort of waned.. I love my 950 and just wanted a red 650 to carry around but I'll probably just wait on the next gen with wi-fi.

I'm not disputing that it's a little naive or even stupid to have sent the item back, but I guess I decided to put my faith into hoping that it was a genuine mistake. Of course there are scammers and I may get scammed. I did not pay that much for the item, by the way. 650s have been going for $100-115 on ebay that I've been watching, although of course some go for more. There was a like new one for $120 that I passed up too while waiting for this item, but after receiving the 600 my desire for the 650 has sort of waned.. I love my 950 and just wanted a red 650 to carry around but I'll probably just wait on the next gen with wi-fi.

Thats what I would do seajewel. Just use the one reader. Although the 650 is a fine deivice I sold mine because I didnt need it since I got the 350. I actually got more than what I paid for it.The 350 is a perfect device for me right now. I usually only do bedtime reading and didnt need a bigger deivceI will wait also for a better deivce. The T1 just doesnt appeal to me.

Let us know how it turns out in any case. I for one am hoping for a happy ending where you get a full refund. And then you swear to stay away from Craigs List! :D

I wouldn't get turned off by this on obtaining a 650 though from a legit source. I still think they're miles ahead of the T1s at this point.

Keeping my fingers crossed things will work out for you.
I often trust people more than what would be adviceable. But you know what? It has worked out well for me so far in life.
The 650 is a great device and in red it's incredibly great looking as well, but if it's not to happen something else will come around!

You could contact him and ask him to send you a US Postal Money Order for the refund.

And if he really did send a 650 to Sony and got back a 600, he should be in contact with them over the error.

...
And if he really did send a 650 to Sony and got back a 600, he should be in contact with them over the error.

Hard to believe they still had 600s available as replacements.

it was refurbished.. i feel like this is familiar to me, people having complaints that Sony sent them 600s as replacements, at least for 505s back in the day.

Well, as most people have said, I probably have been scammed with no chance of any recovery. I did send it back, but got no response for a few weeks, emailed the guy, who claims he's been "on vacation" and his neighbor has been looking out for the package which has not, according to him, arrived. Seeing as it was delivered according to my tracking # a month ago, that's a flat out lie. I've told him to let me know if they can't find it so I can file a USPS claim with my insurance tag, but no response. I'll have to see what the post office can do, but I doubt the package was lost.. the guy is likely just lying.

It would have been better to keep it and trade it in for a T1 or something, it would have at least saved me $50. So much for trusting/hoping that the seller made a genuine mistake.

Sorry to hear that...

So sorry to hear that too. I've never dealt with Craigs List... is there someplace you can post bad experience with sellers or anything? Or can they just change their name and no one is the wiser that they're scammers?

Thanks everyone. The seller is now claiming that he is back from vacation and he checked his packages and my package is not there. Considering it was delivered a month ago (11/30).. well, I gave him the tracking number and told him the exact date it would arrive. I do not believe he was on vacation then.

At this point, I guess I truly, truly have been scammed. I've spent such a long time trying to give him the benefit of the doubt and believing that he made an honest mistake he was going to fix. It's a lesson learned, anyhow. I will see what steps I can take, and in the future, I will of course never buy anything without seller protection--paypal, etc. and actual pictures.

Another thought for the future would be to send the returned item with a signature required upon receipt. This guy sounds like he might deny he ever signed though and that it was delivered to someone else by mistake, or whatever excuse he could come up with. But in general it's best for returning pricier items when a refund would be coming.

Well, as most people have said, I probably have been scammed with no chance of any recovery. I did send it back, but got no response for a few weeks, emailed the guy, who claims he's been "on vacation" and his neighbor has been looking out for the package which has not, according to him, arrived. Seeing as it was delivered according to my tracking # a month ago, that's a flat out lie. I've told him to let me know if they can't find it so I can file a USPS claim with my insurance tag, but no response. I'll have to see what the post office can do, but I doubt the package was lost.. the guy is likely just lying.

It would have been better to keep it and trade it in for a T1 or something, it would have at least saved me $50. So much for trusting/hoping that the seller made a genuine mistake.


Definitely file a claim with USPS. Using the mails for fraudulent purposes is a felony. Tell the guy that and see what happens, too.

I'm so sorry this happened to you Seajewel. I don't like seeing people get taken advantage of. :(

I agree with Khalleron - sick the USPS on them!!

Seller ignored my last email, I sent an email threatening to file a claim with the post office. He sends me a pseudo-sincere-toned email saying how "sorry" he is and that see it from his perspective, he does not need money but he is not going to refund me on a product that he never received back. Again, I sent the product back, with a tracking # and delivery confirmation. It was returned to him within a week of his sending it to me.

i do see it from his perspective. If he were an honest seller and sincerely sorry he would be refunding me. The mistake was not mine, well, other than the mistake of giving him the benefit of the doubt. I should have listened to every person on mobileread who told me not to send it back, not to trust this guy, and not to get suckered into his story about it being a mistake. Well, I guess he's "sorry."

I think you should send a kind reply back indicating that you're sorry, and that you'll be filing a complaint with the USPS promptly.

You may not want to pursue this, but you could also file a complaint with his local police department. If you believe you're the victim of a fraud, and you have documentation to show it, I don't see why they wouldn't draw up a report. I'm not advising you to do it, but the option is there.

I think you should send a kind reply back indicating that you're sorry, and that you'll be filing a complaint with the USPS promptly.

You may not want to pursue this, but you could also file a complaint with his local police department. If you believe you're the victim of a fraud, and you have documentation to show it, I don't see why they wouldn't draw up a report. I'm not advising you to do it, but the option is there.

Absolutely you should file a police report - that's what the cops are for, after all. And a USPS report, making it clear that the mail was used for fraudulent purposes.

Absolutely you should file a police report - that's the cops are for, after all. And a USPS report, making it clear that the mail was used for fraudulent purposes.


Absolutely. The tracking number proves it was sent. Its not even a matter of the money seajewel lost now, its a matter of respect. This guy is being a major dickwad.

I agree to file a report with the police and the USPS. But also file a report with Craigslist.

If you don't report him, he'll definitely continue his "business" of scamming people.

...I will of course never buy anything without seller protection--paypal, etc. and actual pictures.

Kinda offtopic but let me share my "paypal "protection"" experience with you. A year ago I bought a camcoder battery from a "respected chinese site" (it was big one indeed). There was nice little "paypal" on it and I knew it "protects". I got charger instead of a battery AND a charger and "respected chinese site" was kind enough to offer me a deal of sending "another" battery but only if I order something else.

Paypal protection was kind enough to tell me that, well, "they cannot verify quality of the goods". Essentially if seller can show delivery receipt to them, it means you got what you've ordered, even if you got TV frame instead of a TV. Also note that "complaint" mechanism is made so that you have to "wait for X weeks" before doing something (in an obvious hope that you actually forget about it), and then you have a short period to react, if you don't, case is automatically closed. They are slightly more "protective" in case of ebay, but still far from one would expect. (I got a problem with essential "never to buy" Y-cable for avm router missing and paypal/ebay was again of no help)

Basically good reputation of the seller is your only protection. Oh, and the amazon, it's is very good with "customer is right unless proved otherwise" approach.

Excellent post Kartu!

PayPal protection is a bit of a misnomer. Like you say, all a seller has to do is show delivery confirmation and they're good to go. Who's to prove that you got what you actually ordered? Nobody.

And worse yet, at least for Canadians customers, if you buy a product from anywhere outside Canada and have to make use of that 'protection' you have to send it back to the seller with online, verifiable, tracking that you did so. Not a big deal in the US as it's not horribly expensive but with Canada Post - it's insanely expensive to get tracking numbers on parcels going outside Canada.

So many people blindly believe they're protected, and to a certain extent they are, but it's going to cost you. Is it worth spending upwards of $50+ to send back your cheap Chinese $5 product? Of course not! Who in their right mind would do that???

Thank you everyone for your support and kind words. It really has been such a disheartening experience and I will go to the post office and do whatever I can. I doubt I will ever see my money, but I'd like to think that reporting it will do a little good rather than just accepting that there isn't much I can do. I really gave this guy way too many chances and opportunities to do the right thing, and that was really stupid.

...They are slightly more "protective" in case of ebay, but still far from one would expect. (I got a problem with essential "never to buy" Y-cable for avm router missing and paypal/ebay was again of no help)
I use PayPal frequently and to date I have only ever had one problem with goods that did not arrive.

They were purchased from an eBay seller with a good reputation. But despite this I did not receive a single reply to all the messages I sent via eBay asking where the goods were.

I lodged a claim with PayPal, who themselves did not receive a reply from the seller, to no avail, they just washed their hands of it by saying there were no funds in the seller's account.

So whilst I still continue to use PayPay I have no confidence whatsoever in their so called 'protection'.

For expensive items I always use a credit card to pay. In the event of non-delivery etc. the card issuer is legally responsible to refund you in full. Technically you are buying the goods from the card issuer and not the seller.

Thank you everyone for your support and kind words. It really has been such a disheartening experience and I will go to the post office and do whatever I can. I doubt I will ever see my money, but I'd like to think that reporting it will do a little good rather than just accepting that there isn't much I can do. I really gave this guy way too many chances and opportunities to do the right thing, and that was really stupid.
I'm sure we have all been guilty of trusting someone too much at some time in our lives, all you can do is put it down to experience and learn by your mistakes.

Like everyone else I would encourage you to report this to all the authorities involved. As you say I doubt very much that you will ever see your money or reader again, but at least you can feel a little easier that your action may help to prevent someone else getting scammed by this guy.

I've never had a bad experience with PayPal myself, and I use it frequently, but I remember one incident where I was selling something on another forum. I sold two things and mailed them at the same time and one person said hers didn't arrive. I'm pretty certain she was lying. Anyway she filed a claim with PayPal and I refunded her money. PayPal really only sent me one email about it when she filed, then however long later (a week?) they sent an email that they were closing the claim and they hoped it had somehow been resolved. There was no order for me to pay her "or else," or anything like that. All they did was tell me what happened and hope I did something about it.

ETA: This was maybe 4 years ago. I'm not sure what their policies are now. I don't know how long after the girl made her order that she filed her claim, but I remember thinking it wasn't probably long enough and that her item might still have been in the mail.

I use PayPal frequently and to date I have only ever had one problem with goods that did not arrive.

They were purchased from an eBay seller with a good reputation. But despite this I did not receive a single reply to all the messages I sent via eBay asking where the goods were.

I lodged a claim with PayPal, who themselves did not receive a reply from the seller, to no avail, they just washed their hands of it by saying there were no funds in the seller's account.

So whilst I still continue to use PayPay I have no confidence whatsoever in their so called 'protection'.

For expensive items I always use a credit card to pay. In the event of non-delivery etc. the card issuer is legally responsible to refund you in full. Technically you are buying the goods from the card issuer and not the seller.

Which is why you should tie your PayPal account to a credit card and not to your bank account as PayPal keeps trying to get me to do. If there's fraud, your credit card can provide an extra level of protection, which your bank account does not.

Which is why you should tie your PayPal account to a credit card and not to your bank account as PayPal keeps trying to get me to do. If there's fraud, your credit card can provide an extra level of protection, which your bank account does not.
Good point, thanks. I will look at changing the way I fund PayPal in the future.

As I said I've only ever had one bad experience with them, but you never know when the next one's going to happen.

Reporting to the USPS is good. It might even be a felony offense.

Complaining about the recipient denying all knowedge of package may be better. At this point someone is lying and unlikely it is the postal service.
Still the postal service contracted to deliver the parcel and the recipient denies delivery so a compaint about non delivery may be more effective.

Craigslist has also some options for dealing with scammers.

My advice is don't get mad get even.

Helen

Craig's List was designed for, and is best for, local deals that you can transact in person, preferably in a public place.