Need some help / Opinions

[69 Code51 Z]

Bought an endura off an ad on camaros.net about 2 weeks ago. Actually talked with the guy on the phone for about 45 minutes and he seemed pretty straight. Sent him a cashiers check the next day. The cashiers check has been cashed. It's been 2 weeks now and no bumper - he will not respond to my phone calls or e-mails. Short of driving to Columbus NE to get my bumper( if there really is one) or money back any suggestions on how to proceed? Carl

[TDW]

If you haven't contacted Al, the owner of the Camaro site, I would suggest you do. He will look into it for you. Good luck.

[69 Code51 Z]

I did send an e-mail to camaos.net informing them of the situation. I also called the Columbus Police Department and asked if the could provide any assistance. I was told it is considered a civil issue and I needed to contact a lawyer.

[69LM1]

I now always use postal money orders. If you pay with a postal money order, the postal "police" go after them for you if you do not get anything. The term anything is the kicker. If he sends you a ratty steel bumper instead of the endura, then they may say it's civil (opinion, they don't know what endura is, you paid for a bumper and got a bumper) and not do much.

If he sends you nothing, then they will almost always investigate (no offense to postal employees, but I get the impression that the postal "police" do not get to play cop to often, so they are more willing to look into these things).

You can also call the local FBI office.

Finally,

if nothing else works,

If you are mad enough,
And IF you are willing to risk retaliation (remember some things are not worth it)

bug the living hell out of him. Fill his voice mail with messages. Sign his email address up for spam emails so that his mailbox is filled with junk (try some daily scripture sites, who knows, he might convert and make it right ), Look up relatives and family members contact information and call them and explain what he did.

Just some ideas from a Dago'


Rich

[Jeff H]

Postal money orders are no safer than any other payment method. Once it has been cashed it's gone. You need to start by finding out if the guy actually lives at the address you sent the money to. If not, then you'll probably never find him again. Check the FBI website, they have a special section for internet fraud and that might be your best pursuit.

[PeteLeathersac]

Before driving the guy crazy or doing other things you may later regret...it has only been a couple weeks, right?
Do you know if the guy is a known scammer to other enthusiasts? .
Maybe he's really just a good guy who's out of town or wrapped up in a personal or family situation? .
I'd consider checking deeper into who you're really dealing with and try futher attempts at contact before the conviction and sentencing stuff? .

~ Pete

[69LM1]

Jeff,

No safer as far as they can be faked as well, my point was that the postal inspectors take the idea of faked postal money order much more serious than local police and banks do. I am currently recieving a monthly check from a engine scammer (The FBI wound up taking the case over, but the postal investigative services helped ALOT).

Just my experiance.

Rich

[Jeff H]

[ QUOTE ]
Jeff,

No safer as far as they can be faked as well, my point was that the postal inspectors take the idea of faked postal money order much more serious than local police and banks do. I am currently recieving a monthly check from a engine scammer (The FBI wound up taking the case over, but the postal investigative services helped ALOT).

Just my experiance.

Rich

[/ QUOTE ]

Consider yourself very lucky. I was scammed years ago and the guy is in jail but I'll never see a penny back. And I used postal money orders as well. I just wanted to point out that there truly is no safe method of payment.

[Mr70]

If not a PO box,try contacting his neighbors either next door or across the street.
They can be a wealth of information and may help you resolve this.

[Jeff H]

Good idea. And try putting the address into Google Earth and see if there is even a house at the address. The guy might be away or had other issues so bugging him may not help.