An eBay dillema...

#1 06-20-2001, 04:46 AM

About a month ago, I won an eBay auction that included 24 different AGD items. I had promptly sent in my payment to the seller and, because I thought it'd be safer to send in a personal check, I was aware that the check had to clear before she was going to send it out...so that was going to take a few days.

My payment was sent in, MANY days go by, so I decide to check out what was going on with this girl. I knew that she had many other auctions going on at the same time as mine, so I wanted to know how those items were doing.

Get this--the girl gets her account suspended by eBay. I call my bank to see the status of my check, but I found out that it had been cashed already. Apparently her account had been suspended because of a growing number of negative feedback. She only had 2 negatives when my auction had ended, and as I checked again, the number had grown to a total of 5.

I then requested her contact information from eBay, only to find out that eBay didn't have her current information. My payment was sent to Imperial Beach, CA. Her eBay contact info listed her as a resident of Lincoln Park, MICHIGAN!

Being the wannabe internet detective that I am, I did a quick search on her name, and I found her homepage. I read in her guestbook that she had been a student at Western Michigan University...and that she is an ALPHA GAM.

I had informed my chapter advisor (as well as some of the alumnae) of the situation, and she told me that I should file an online fraud report with eBay. eBay was going to do all it could to investigate the situation. Being that the total of the item exceeded $25, I am entitled to their insurance refund.

Here's where I need help. Do you think that I should inform IHQ about this? I don't expect IHQ to resolve my situation, but my advisor reminded me that this is a serious situation--considering the AGD name was involved, and the two individuals involved are AGDs. I've been told by our alumnae that sisters can even get "blacklisted" by IHQ. I just can't believe that a fellow AGD could do something like this!

I've given her ample time to try and explain herself...I've emailed her at the address that she provided...and I've waited around long enough!

Any kinds of advice will be greatly appreciated!

LeslieAGD · #2 06-20-2001, 10:04 AM

If it were me, I would definitely inform IHQ.

AlphaGam1019 · #3 06-20-2001, 10:23 AM

I think you should report her. There's always a risk of not getting the item you pay for on auction sites and usually you can't ever find out who the seller *really* is. I'm glad you found out!! If she's ripping you off, I think you should take WHATEVER action you need to! I'm sorry it had to happen to you.

greeklawgirl · #4 06-20-2001, 11:10 AM

OTW,
Wow, this situation just stinks all around. You've already done the right thing by contacting EBay's fraud unit, and by emailing her directly. Evem though she hasn't responded, you've done your duty by our sister to try and work things out privately. I'd inform IHQ simply because they need to be aware of what's happening. Don't feel guilty, either--you are doing what you need to do!

SIUAGD · #5 06-22-2001, 12:13 AM

OTW, I think you've already done the right things. Even if IHQ can't do anything, it is something that they probably would like to know. And it was exactle right to inform ebay. They are a business nad they need to know if things like that happen.
By the way, if you don't mind my asking, what's your ebay username? You have probably bid against my mom many times!! You wouldn't believe how many time people have emailed her asking if she is an AGD. She has to explain, no, she isn't, but her daughter is! People always apologize, but I explained to her that things like pins shouldn't belong to non-AGDs, so that's why people ask. So now she sometimes strikes up conversations with the people who email her! Who does that remind you of??!!

#6 06-22-2001, 12:44 AM

LOL, my eBay username is simply "sandygurl". I'm thinking I should change it and include "agd" somewhere so sisters can be assured that I am an AGD. Also, my chapter advisor's username is "hawaiiagd".

Would you mind telling me what your mom's username is? Feel free to email it to me if you wish! I can pass along the info to my chapter advisor (but I have a feeling that your mom has probably been in contact with her already!).

I haven't contacted IHQ yet, but I will sometime in the next week. I'll be sure to keep you all posted!

Thank you for all your help!

SIUAGD · #7 06-22-2001, 05:53 PM

OTW, her username is cccasagal. I'm sure they have probably already written! She hasn't purchased anything lately!

#8 06-26-2001, 05:01 PM

Just a little update:

Okay,

I consulted with my chapter advisor again and she informed me that she had been in contact with Audra Hansen at IHQ. Apparently, our eBay sister Carri Lukasik has been considered "lost" by her chapter since 1997.

Carri had been a member of the Alpha Pi chapter at Wayne State University (not Western Mich)...so if any of your WSU sisters have information on Carri Lukasik, please help!

Audra's also trying to get some information from the alumnae chapter's permanent secretary, so hopefully she'll have some luck.

LeslieAGD · #9 06-27-2001, 09:02 AM

OTW, I know some of the Wayne State girls so I will ask them. Even though they probably don't know her, their alums might.