Note: You might want to read part 1 and part 2 first.
I was tracking the monitor and the accessories packages as they traveled through the UPS systems, so I knew when the packages arrived. I could also have told because John Harlan (johnslcdrepair, johnhis11_computers, xhd3000repairman43560 and computerguru43560 on eBay) immediately opened a dispute with PayPal:
Hello Lloyd,
I received the screen today and I am really sorry to report that it appears as though the box that the screen was shipped in was either crushed or dropped from a significant height during transportation to me from you. The side of the box was all smashed in and it looked like someone tried to repair the box with tape. Sadly the LCD was cracked during transit there for drastically reducing the value of this unit to me. Normally I would send the unit back and ask for a full refund however there are some parts that I can still use such as the Power supply speaker and motherboard from inside the unit as these all appear to be in usable condition still.I have kept the box and all the packaging material that the screen was shipped in and am happy to take photographs for you so you can present it as evidence in a claim with UPS for damage while in transit.
Unfortunately my only recourse to recoup the money that I spent in this unit is to file this claim here on PayPal since UPS does not let anyone but the original shipper file a claim for damaged packages and this case that is you. I will be satisfied with a refund of $225 as I feel that this is a fair request since the screen is no longer usable.Im sorry about this and I will be happy to offer you any assistance I can to help you provide evidence in a claim against UPS for damaging the item.
John
Now, at this point, I do not know whether John is telling the truth or not. It seems to me that if he is on the up-and-up that he would contact me before opening a dispute at PayPal. I’m also pretty sure that you could have gone at our packaging with a baseball bat and not damaged the screen.
Apart from that is the amount that he thought would be a fair refund. He wants to pay $125.00 for a power supply that sells for between $140 and $200 on eBay (those are the prices of the last two that sold, not the asking price), a speaker-bar that sells for around $80 and still have the rest of the monitor to use in his repair business. I guess I just don’t trust him. This was my reply on the PayPal dispute page:
John,
I would be glad to refund your entire purchase price upon receiving the items from you within 7 days of delivery as per our purchase agreement, but am open to other arrangements. Please send detailed photos to lloyd@lloydandlauren.com
Lloyd
That might seem like a pretty terse reply, but I used up every one of the characters that PayPal let me type into their little text box. If he was legit, he could either send me photos of the damage or send everything back for a full refund. He didn’t do either. In fact, he didn’t do anything. Weeks went by and we got closer and closer to PayPal’s claim resolution date.
Curiouser and Curiouser.
Read on to discover what becomes of our heroes.
This is why my house is full of perfectly usable things I want to get rid of, but can’t sell: it’s so much work!
But, Craigslist, Brad! Craigslist!!
I do love Craigslist. (I’d make one of those little character hearts, but I’ve never taken the time to research and figure out how to make them…)
I’m trying to love Craigslist but it just isn’t working out for me. Maybe it is just that no one wants my junk. (Futon, anyone? How about a new with tags golf bag? Child’s wooden high chair?)
This is like listening to a 1940’s episode of “The Shadow” or “The Lone Ranger” on the radio! What will happen? What will happen?
I’m with Mark on this one. I’ll tell Sam to call me to the computer when he opens up tomorrow morning so that I can catch the next episode.
Agreed! This is edge of your seat drama…it’s better than ‘Who Shot JR’!
John Harlan--I like you not!
John Harlan -- who are you and what is your motive? Don’t be messin’ with Lloyd and Lauren. You’re gonna regret it.
The way this story is shaping up, it will be interesting to see if Mr. Harlan has engaged in wire fraud, and perhaps other violations of the Interstate Commerce Act.
To commit wire fraud, one must (1) devise, or intend to devise, a scheme or artifice to defraud another person on the basis of a material representation, and (2) do it with the intent to defraud, and (3) do it through the use of interstate wire facilities (i.e. telecommunications of any kind).
If the monitor screen was not in fact broken, a phone call to the FBI may be in order.
You’re a dangerous, useful man. 🙂
By the way, to be convicted of wire fraud, the victim doesn’t have to lose money. The prosecution need only prove that the perpetrator INTENDED to defraud through material misrepresentation and the use of a telecommunications system.
Keep a hard copy of EVERYTHING you have received, are receiving or will receive via email or the Internet. And try to make sure it has a date/time stamp, URL, etc. And do the same for communications you have sent.
Wire fraud is a felony, not a misdemeanor.
Like I said, it will be interesting to read the next two installments. Perhaps this is a simple misunderstanding. But the chief rule in misunderstandings is: “If you find yourself in a hole, STOP DIGGING (Mr. Harlan).”
Appreciate it. This really is a good read.