Hang on guys, before you blast me - I'd ask what you would do in a similar situation. In fairness, I have not revealed any information about him publicly yet as I am trying to give the benefit of the doubt and trying to be patient with things. I buy stuff all the time on ebay - all the time. I am very lenient when it comes to shipping etc. All you have to do is tell me when. That's it. I don't care if it takes you a week - just let me know. It is a question I ask every time I buy something. I've had really good luck over the years buying off ebay, forums etc.
I will agree that it is entirely my fault that I went outside the confines of ebay. I got excited that I found something I deparately wanted and acted a bit too quickly - again, my fault. Sunday, after a barrage of text messages between us ironing out the price, details etc., he texted me that he would ship it and provide me with a tracking number 1st thing Monday morning. Before I sent the money his communication was very prompt. That's why I'm anxious. Since I didn't get a solid answer from him, I started to dig deeper as I should have before.
Here are the facts:
He listed the exact item on ebay in Oct 2012. There was negative feedback left for that auction and I quote: "THIEF $600 tank never shipped said it was and then won't answer email-phone BEWARE" Ebay only gives you recent transactions unless you dig a bit - again, my bad. Ebay also will not tell you if a dispute was settled.
He changed his ebay ID in February of this year.
The photos that he used in both auctions are not his photos. They are from the original builder - I have confirmed that with the builder.
The builder could find no record of him purchasing the item and I believe him as i have actually met him and purchased from him in the past.
We are both verified on paypal - which means our accounts are tied to bank accounts. The funds were out of my bank account almost immediately.
Perhaps I am jumping the gun, but he has not done what he said he would do via text.
I have never complained in a public forum about something I have purchased. I do understand that things happen everyday that could prevent him from
answering the phone, emails, texts or ship my item when he said he would. It's just strange when someone will immediately respond to a question BEFORE you give them the money and then suddenly become hard to get a hold of after the funds are gone.
To me it appears he has done this before. I would like that it never happen again.
I can not conclusively determine that he is a thief at this moment. It's just that where there is smoke, there usually is fire. If the tank shows up, I will post here and eat my share of crow. And yes, I will apologize to him directly, even though he does not know of this. I hope he would understand.
Ultimately, what I really want is the item that I paid for, though I doubt I'll ever see it. Some people can blow off and absorb a $550 loss. I can't.
I do appreciate all the comments here, good or bad. I am not by nature a very patient person and this helps slow down a situation that I may be blowing completely out of proportion. At least I hope that I am.
