3 weeks ago, I posted some webspoke wheels for sale.

A NAM member messaged me, and asked to purchase one of said wheels.
I promptly responded and the following weekend, I shipped the item out and provided him with a tracking number. The day before the item was to arrive, he PM'd me to tell me the item was to be delivered the following day, and he had sent a check out a few days prior.

2 weeks has elapsed since said member told me a check was in the mail, and since 3/29 I have not gotten a response to an PM's or emails. I do quite a bit of mailing, and never has a piece of mail taken longer than 4 days to travel from the east coast to New Mexico. I am growing more suspicious by the day.

The fact that the payment hasn't arrived yet isn't the behavior that is bugging me (because things do happen with the mail), it's the sudden disappearance of the other party involved in the transaction.

What should I do next?

My family doesn't live too far from said person, so if I don't hear anything within a reasonable amount of time, my pops (a NY cop) would have no problem investigating the situation. After all, $180 is $180.
Would that be a rash decision?

I'm at a loss of what to do at this point.


Any advice for how to proceed would be a tremendous help.

thanks.

 

1. You were QUITE foolish to send merchandise without having payment in hand.

2. That being said, you should contact your local law enforcement for their advice/guidance. However, do NOT expect them to do anything much other than to say you'll need to contact the law enforcement agency in the buyer's area.

3. What in the world possessed you to send merchandise without even getting paid???

 

Just noticed that you said your dad is NYCPD. Have him show up on the guy's doorstep to investigate.

Receiving stolen property? Maybe...but I doubt it.

You should post the buyer's NAM id so that others can be warned.

 

I have to agree with Uber about not being paid before you sent the wheel.

Have you checked that members' profile to see when they were on last? has been in the time span you posted?

At least you have an Ace to use, dad being a cop in the area. Use your judgement as to how long is long enough with no contact with the buyer, then send pops knocking on the door.

 

First,E-mail him that your father (And remind him that your father is a Officer) will be over to pick up the check in person and that he should put a stop payment on his check. IF his check does arrive, mail it back to him...Hopefully, it's just that slow mail. Also, hopefully he's reading this right now seeing that you will not just "let it go" and pay up. And as a last resort, name him right here on NAM and see if he responds.

 

That's a shame

Checks - pffft

PayPal is your friend. Money Orders are ok...sometimes suspect.

Cash in your NYPD dad's hand - priceless

 

To be honest I have never heard of the police acting as collection agents so I doubt you will get much help from them & I doubt the NYPD would allow your dad to act in an official capacity to get a check for you. If you kept the PM's or emails where the transaction was discussed your best course of action is small claims court. Perhaps you could drop the person a line & mention that your father, a cop, will be happy to pick up the wheel if they no longer want to pay for it. I dunno about posting the person's name on NAM & slamming them because even though their lack of payment sounds shady posting such info could be considered libelous if they can later prove that they did indeed send the check & have been out of town for a bit.

Good luck in your collections

 

I'd hope the check is just lost in the mail. The fact that this person no longer responds makes me wonder though. I think I smell a fish.

 

It is my fault for sending item without payment, but I have always been a very trusting person when entering into a transaction with someone. Moreso this time due to the NAM pedigree.

Yes, I am kicking myself.

My paypal account froze up, becuase I've moved since the last time I used it. So, everything has changed. Was waiting on the password reset letter from them.

The cop thing wasn't at all a means to stimulate this, it was more jokingly supporting the investigate the situation quip.

BTW, he's NYPD, but he's in the general area.

I have thought of the most calculated way to write this post, as it can potentially blow up in my face (i.e. check shows up tomorrow).

If this doesn't turn out for the better, I will post a warning on this forum. Only after seeking advice from the admin first.

thanks, all.

bill

 

shucks..goodluck with all that. hopefully you'll get the check.
and i always thought everyone on NAM forums were very well respected(able)
(i came from the hondamarketplace forums...LOTS and LOTS of scamming there.)
but even tho you trusted them with sending the money.like everyone i would have recieved the money first and then sent. ESPECIALLY with the fact that it was a check. (even tho you get them..they can cancel the checks..is that right? o.O)
but anyways. no need to say that everything is your fault. butttttt hoepfully everything will be alright.

 

So what ever happened anyway???? Did you get the check? Did you send over the NYPD?

...Les