Hey Joe....forget about the Sheriff's department. I was telling your story to my wife today and she reminded me one of our other customers is the Chattanooga office of the FBI. So, she picks up the phone and calls our contact, relays your situation and is informed Mr Simmons has committed internet fraud. Before the days of technology it was called interstate mail fraud, a federal offense. I will PM you additional info on what you need to do to have one of my local friends pay D. Simmons a visit. Jon
You have just got to LOVE the power of these forums when it comes to dealing with the bottom feeders out there. Keep the pressure on and you will get results. It is internet fraud which is a Federal offense. File a complaint with the Attorney Generals office in Tennessee and also with the AG in your home state, this can usually be done via an online complaint form. Follow up with the post office. Finally, as previously mentioned, the FBI. There is also a possible violation of the Interstate Commerce Act involved here which is also taken seriously by the authorities. Just be careful of what you say and stick to the facts. I had a similar experience a few years back with an ebay crate motor that had a 3 year warranty (worthless). The seller was a sleaze operator from a border state who operated a marginal business with questionable employees (illegals). Another forum member said something inflammatory and the seller tried to say I was guilty of slander (BS!). Long story short - I got my money back but it took a lot of pressure on the seller to get it done. Good Luck!
Dude! ou: Please don't ever send a postal money order EVER. Anything is better than a M/O. I'm so sorry you got d!cked. Dare I ask what their feedback rating was? o No:
Joe i had a similar thing happen with me.I phoned the local sherriffs dept and explained my situation, and they visited the scumbag and advised him to correct the problem within 24 hours or they would be back with handcuffs. I sent them a box of chocolates and a letter to the local (smalltown) newspaper
Update ,as of today . A very nice detective out of Chatanooga tells me the freak has shipped the steering wheel.If not he'll go see them again.Very nice and helpful gentleman &dept.Joe
Sorry postal money orders are the best way of protecting yourself. You have the weight of the government to fight for your rights to be made whole. I had this happen to me on a console and shifter. Sent the money and received nothing. I wen thru ebays settlement and never heard from the seller, they closed their account. But when I spoke with the post office they took my claim. They gave me information on FBI internet fraud and local police, almost all have a internet fraud division. It took me about 4 weeks but the guy called me and explained his son sold the part and he was in jail for something else now. I said sorry for your problems but the account holder which was you, are responsible for this console or the money. I have the proof from the post office that the MO was cashed. I explained how this kind of action was wire and internet fraud and a felony. Anytime a seller uses postal money orders thru the mail its under wire fraud. The actions on the internet also brings the internet fraud division of the FBI and local PD. And I was not going to give up. I received the console within 3 days via fedex.
Keep on it, looks like they are getting ready to move. Here is a Craigslist add for that phone number: http://chattanooga.craigslist.org/fuo/1581925070.html The body shop I was working for got scammed for $2500 for some front end parts for a MB 500SL. Through the internet I found that the business with the good reputation recently sold to "Chuck" who, ran it into the ground. I tracked him all over the NYC and adjacent Conneticut area. He had moved 5 times in just a few months. Once I pinned down his current location, my boss and I went down there and gave him a surprise. We did a great job of good cop bad cop. He didn't have the parts or refund $ at the time. So we had him post date two checks to us. When they were returned for NSF we forwarded them to the local police who already had some issues with him. (they actually confirmed his most current address for me, because they had just been there). When he went to court for another issue, they arrested him for the bad checks. Last I knew, though. No refund. But this ordeal went on for months, so it can wear you out.
Also want to add, if you guys need to check out people. Google all their information. For instance the guy with the MB parts, he modified the business name and his name slightly for each instance, changed phone numbers, he had done quite a bit to cover his tracks. Every combination, every time you find something look that up. For instance if you know their name, search it every combination and start putting together the pieces, then if you find an e-mail address or user name then search those. Also, in google type "Deep Web" then that will take you into the underbelly of the internet that Google doesn't go to. It has search engines that go into government records, etc. etc. When I was hiring for that body shop, I knew everything about the applicants before they ever showed for the interview. Had them fill out the application then come back, or not. Found a convicted murderer (that had been out long enough so it wasn't on his application!), one who was in the middle of a murder investigation, one who was a radical white suppremesist. Plus some you can find out their previous work, finances, etc.
Ebay and Paypal work well if their guidelines are followed and common sense is used. I have been using Ebay since '98 and only had a couple of problems which were resolved in my favor. My advice to you guys is simple, verify seller or buyer feedback before bidding, keep all communications and use Ebay contact mailings only. Do not deal outside Ebay to get a better deal, and use Paypal for your payment. If a seller won't follow the rules Ebay sets forth, why would he follow the rules selling you something? Trust but verify.
Um,so let's see here you are telling us that ebay policies will protect us more then a US instrument of payment.By the way to all you guys that made good sense and gave good advice.I appreciate it,truly a supreme group on this board. I did consult w/ post office ,they had me go to the FBI site,which is exactly what a few of you boys told me to do.Who then connected me to Det.Stephenson(outstanding man)The wheel came to my shop today ups.CRACKED ,not like the stuff the idiots must smoke.Spitefully thrown in a box.Oh well .Karma can be bitch ,I do believe.Thanks,To all.Joe(perhaps Mr.Simmons if you read this site you and I shall meet one day)
By the way Dave ,that is some awesome info you provided us.I for one will use in the future.Thank You.Joe:TU:
I also bought a GTO so-called "wood" steering wheel from a guy down in the South about 3 years ago. (I'm from MA) I sent a money order and paid promptly. Then, no steering wheel ever arrived. I had local law enforcement check the address and it turned out to be a mail-drop address. I called my contacts at the US Postal Service in Boston. They have a branch similar to the FBI. Within a week or two I received a Pontiac steering wheel via UPS that was shipped from Oregon or WA. When I opened the box there was a junk Pontiac steering wheel painted brown. I threw it in the trash and learned a lesson. I am willing to bet it is the same jerk you are dealing with. He sold mostly Pontiac stuff but not so cheap that you got suspicious. I hope it works out for you. Let us know if you ever get the right wheel.
