Along this line, has anyone heard of or familiar with internet/mail order
"escrow" services? I saw an internet ad once on it but don't remember the
details. Something like a neutral liaison between a buyer and seller for
larger money transactions when neither knows anything about the other
party's integrity. For some fee (have no idea how much) the "escrow"
service receives the money from the buyer and forwards it to the seller when
the seller's merchandise is determined to be genuine or something to that
effect. Of course, for all I know, some scam artist could be advertising
internet escrow services! Regards, Greg Hutmacher
----------
From: Scott Decker [SMTP:sdecker@bellsouth.net]
Sent: Monday, February 01, 1999 8:43 PM
To: 'Brad Kahler'; triumphs@autox.team.net
Subject: RE: mail fraud?
Brad & List:
I'm not a lawyer, so I can't advise on whether this is mail fraud or
not,
but...
I've had real good success by using the following method to protect
BOTH the
buyer and the seller. (Usually only for something over 50 bucks, or
whatever your 'shaft limit' is)
Have the shipping person send the item COD via a commercial carrier.
When
the item arrives, you pay COD for it, and a few days later the
person gets
the money. At worst, you (the buyer) don't pay a cent if the thing
doesn't
arrive. The seller is only out the cost of shipping if you don't
pay for
some reason.
I know, it could have some holes but I've made several large (500
dollar
plus) purchases in this way and both parties have been happy. It's
a shame
we have to do this, but hey, you just never know. Like I said, this
is
usually not necessary, especially with someone off this list. Most
everyone
is a great person and wouldn't dream of shafting someone. But, you
never
know.
Just my 2 cents.
Later!
Scott Decker
70 GT6+ KC79034L
Braselton (Road Atlanta), GA
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-triumphs@autox.team.net
[mailto:owner-triumphs@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of Brad Kahler
Sent: Monday, February 01, 1999 8:44 PM
To: triumphs@autox.team.net
Subject: mail fraud?
Listers,
I would like to find out what constitutes mail fraud. I answered an
add on
the VTR site for a rear fender. After several emails and then phone
conversations with the gentleman we agreed on a price and shipping
charges. The owner wanted a money order and I complied. The price
was
$90 so we aren't talking a lot of money here. I just don't like the
idea of
being screwed. I sent the money back in August and quite a while
went by
and no fender. I finally called again around christmas time and
talked to
him I think for the second time and I got the song and dance about
him
having followed on hard times ect ect. Same old song and dance.
Supposedly he is still going to ship the fender (yea right).
So does this constitute mail fraud or is it just stupidity on my
part? What
course of action should I take in this. I have his address and
phone
number.
Something I had thought of was trying to find a fellow lister to
stop by
this
persons place and see if they could if nothing else pick up the
fender from
him. If this seems like a good idea are there any listers in the LA
and the
area code prefix is 714 that would want to tackle this problem?
I'm open to any suggestions?
TIA
Brad (Lincoln Nebraska 402-464-1502)
My Web Site Http://www.141.com/triumphs (updated 12/3/98)
1964 Spitfire4 BFC25720L -- 1973 Spitfire 1500 FM3353U
1962 TR4 CT288L -- 1965 TR4 CT38888LO parts car?
1959 TR3A TS41311L -- 1959 TR3A TS53523L parts car
1951 Dodge Truck B-3-B-108
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