Rylan Zolinski
Well-known member
Any update on this?
Help with SELLER SCAM - tampawolf
- Thread starter justin lovell
- Start date
As the "scammer" I can update you. Post office told me impossible to track at this point, and unless I had insurance they can't help me. As for the things Justin said, I admitted that it was my fault and my responsibility. He was very selective in the emails he posted here. I tried emailing him weeks ago and haven't heard anything back.
I've bought and sold close to 10k worth of items here and never had any problems, and certainly never been called a scam before ($600 certainly not being the highest). Also I didn't specify to him that I wanted paypal gift, I simply said add 3% for paypal if its not sent as a gift.
Despite all that, I still understand that it's my responsibility to get the items to sellers, so I'm trying to work out a way to pay him back.
I've bought and sold close to 10k worth of items here and never had any problems, and certainly never been called a scam before ($600 certainly not being the highest). Also I didn't specify to him that I wanted paypal gift, I simply said add 3% for paypal if its not sent as a gift.
Despite all that, I still understand that it's my responsibility to get the items to sellers, so I'm trying to work out a way to pay him back.
Rylan Zolinski
Well-known member
So, did this ever get resolved?
justin lovell
Active member
This has not been resolved. I send Michael emails weekly with no responses. He has said he will take care of this, but no action has taken place.
I was not selective in my emails sent, that was the direct thread. There is even more back and forth of me sending emails, which I could include if it meant this would get resolved...
I'm beyond being patient and understanding. I've given him more then enough time and options to resolve this. Given him the benefit of the doubt as he said he has a family death and needed some time, though this was months ago, and really as a seller, shouldn't affect the way he handles business.
Michael says he takes responsibility, but that hasn't lead to any resolution. He said he would link his visa to PayPal and take care of it, though months have passed since this claim.
I do not understand why I am being treated as an afterthought.
I will advise the moment Michael takes care of this and returns my money.
I was not selective in my emails sent, that was the direct thread. There is even more back and forth of me sending emails, which I could include if it meant this would get resolved...
I'm beyond being patient and understanding. I've given him more then enough time and options to resolve this. Given him the benefit of the doubt as he said he has a family death and needed some time, though this was months ago, and really as a seller, shouldn't affect the way he handles business.
Michael says he takes responsibility, but that hasn't lead to any resolution. He said he would link his visa to PayPal and take care of it, though months have passed since this claim.
I do not understand why I am being treated as an afterthought.
I will advise the moment Michael takes care of this and returns my money.
maranfilms
Veteran
Bruce, your the last person on this forum I would worry about getting scammed by. Over the years you've proven to be nothing short of honest, and full of integrity. Sorry the OP has to go through this. There's not a worse feeling, knowing your likely the product of a dishonest transaction. Utter shame!
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Rylan Zolinski
Well-known member
It's been nearly a month but it sounds like you didn't resolve anything. What gives?
ectobuilder
Veteran
This is why I only purchase second hand items from a reputable dealer or ebay. Ebay with Paypal is very secure. I once paid for a used Nikon D4S on Ebay via Paypal and as it turns out the seller was a scam as well. The scammer did provide a tracking number but the item never was dropped off to the shipping company. So within a week Ebay/Paypal refunded my money.
However I've never encountered the Paypal Gift issue. I think any item sold on Ebay is assumed not to be a Gift and therefore could never fall under that category?
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justin lovell
Active member
Hey Michael Riley,
You're not responding to any of the emails that I'm sending you.
So I ask that you publicly respond with some proof that you are and have refunded me as you said you would.
It has been over 4 months. I have been more then understanding and patient with you.
Would other forum members agree... ?
You're not responding to any of the emails that I'm sending you.
So I ask that you publicly respond with some proof that you are and have refunded me as you said you would.
It has been over 4 months. I have been more then understanding and patient with you.
Would other forum members agree... ?
chrisbernard
Well-known member
This is a horrible situation, I've only had decent transactions here and on eBay but I've always taken the hit on Paypal fees and insurance as a cost of doing business on dvxuser to keep everybody happy. I've never had a problem but I can always provide a paper trail of invoicing, shipping, payment and proof of verified addresses if something did go wrong. This adds about 5% to most transactions when you throw in shipping but I think it's a smart way to do business here or on Fred Miranda. Neither is a community where you want to get a bad reputation, it will stick.
justin lovell
Active member
Just an update for those who may have interest in my situation..
I am lucky if I get responses from Michael Riley. I send emails once a week with no response. The last email I got was telling me he would setup a visa with his PayPal account and resolve this. I patiently waited over a month. He ignored my last few emails asking for updates. His last response said this:
On Aug 28, 2015 2:24 AM, "Michael Riley" <msriley@mail.usf.edu> wrote:
I said I was going to apply for a paypal card, not link a credit card, my cards are already maxed. I was selling my stuff to pay debt and move. I still don't have a job. There is literally nothing I can do at this exact second.
On Thu, Aug 27, 2015 at 7:08 PM, justin lovell <just.love.film@gmail.com> wrote:
Another 7 days have passed.
What is the problem? As I suggested, you said you were going to link your credit card to take care of this through PayPal.
Why haven't you been good to your word?
On Aug 20, 2015 2:30 AM, "justin lovell" <just.love.film@gmail.com> wrote:
Another 5 days passes.
Seriously Michael please... Why won't you take care of this?
On Aug 15, 2015 8:08 PM, "justin lovell" <just.love.film@gmail.com> wrote:
???
On Aug 8, 2015 3:15 PM, "justin lovell" <just.love.film@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Michael,
Hope your move went well. Hope I'm not being placed on the back burner. Please let me know that you are taking care of this. Would appreciate a timeline and firm date so I can stop pestering you.
I'm sure your sick of hearing from me, as I am tired of pestering you.
Let's wrap this up so we can move on.
On Aug 3, 2015 6:10 AM, "justin lovell" <just.love.film@gmail.com> wrote:
Hey Michael,
Thank you for your email.
With PayPal, you just have to link your credit card to it. No approval process, pretty straight forward. Got mine setup in 5 minutes. So unless you take your time with it, you should have it set up same day you do it.
Please post me later to let me know status.
Good luck with the move.
On Aug 3, 2015 7:47 PM, "Michael Riley" <msriley@mail.usf.edu> wrote:
I haven't forgotten about this, just in the process of moving. I have had a paypal account for a long time so I can probably get approved for a caard for them. I didn't know they had cards until you mentioned it. A loan from the bank probably won't happen though because I don't have collateral and no job.As far as a hard timeline goes, I don't think its unfair for you to ask, but it depends if I get approved for this card or not I suppose.
On Thu, Jul 30, 2015 at 3:20 PM, justin lovell <just.love.film@gmail.com> wrote:
Hey Michael,
My apologies for your loss.
Over the past month I have lost my mother in law and am now with my father in Australia as my aunt is in the hospital. I had to take out a loan from the bank to cover our flights.
I know it can be difficult.
If I were in your shoes I would be doing everything in my power to make good and resolve this and assume responsibility so I don't get a bad name or look bad.
Please give me a hard timeline on when you will pay me back. A believe week is more then reasonable. After waiting over 3 months, I don't think it is unreasonable for you to put this on a credit card with PayPal or to take out a loan from a bank in the worst case. I'm sure you're inventive enough to find way if you're a talented filmmaker.
On Jul 30, 2015 3:49 AM, "Michael Riley" <msriley@mail.usf.edu> wrote:
Well, I've tried to keep the details out of it, because frankly as a stranger, I don't expect you to care, and that isn't mean to be insulting but truthful. But because you keep asking why, I Just lost both my mom and my grandmother, and I'm not working, had to sell camera gear just to survive. Now I understand that isn't your fault or problem, I'm just giving you the why is that I've been having a hard time. The post office informed me that there is no way to track it. There is no way I can get you your money back this week, but I will figure out a way to repay you in full as soon as I can. My guess is that if the lens hasn't come in for months, and hasn't been returned to me, that it is lost and never showing up.
On Wed, Jul 29, 2015 at 6:58 AM, justin lovell <just.love.film@gmail.com> wrote:
Thank you Michael,
What is the status?
" I understand your frustration, and if I had the money I would refund currently, but that money was spend before I knew we had this issue."
We have known this is an issue for over 3 months now. You said you paid for express shipping because you sent it later then you planned. Anything taking longer then 5 business days on express is an issue that you as the seller should be expected to resolve.
Why you have left this so long and still haven't closed this, is something I truly do not understand.
I would appreciate my money back if you cannot get me my lens this week. Please let's settle this finally.
-----------------
Justin Lovell
Cinematographer | Assoc. CSC
WWW.FRAMEDISCREET.COM | WE LOVE FILM
w. 416.901.5332 m. 416.803.1101
---------------------------------------------
Recent Projects:
4 Days in April - Mike Weir Story
METRIC - Synthetica (Music Video)
Titanfall: Free The Frontier
Justin, I called the Post office, and I"m not sure if I got someone very rude, or just having a bad day but they seemed to think it impossible to track at this point, although from what I've read online that isn't the case, I'll try to call again tomorrow, or possibly if I call later today I'll get someone else.
On Thu, Jul 23, 2015 at 3:12 AM, Michael Riley <msriley@mail.usf.edu> wrote:
I am making efforts to resolve, despite you saying constantly that I am a scammer and trying to scam you. I will contact you tomorrow to let you know what the USPS office says about inquiring on a lost tracking number. I understand your frustration, and if I had the money I would refund currently, but that money was spend before I knew we had this issue. As far as you posted in the DVXuser forum as seeing me post about buying more stuff, I'm not sure why you feel that way, as I haven't bought or sold anything since knowing for sure the package was lost.
Until then, understand there isn't anything else I can do. It's not as simple as refunding the money because that isn't an option on my end, I simply don't have $600 laying around. Not that it matters but I'm not working right now, its not like I have a stead income coming in. Again I'll let you know tomorrow at the latest what they say about tracking it down.
On Tue, Jul 21, 2015 at 10:20 PM, justin lovell <just.love.film@gmail.com> wrote:
Michael,
Have you been in touch with the post office. Are you making efforts to resolve this?
Please let me know where you stand on this.
On Jul 15, 2015 12:04 PM, "justin lovell" <just.love.film@gmail.com> wrote:
It is not my responsibility to track the package.
It is up to you to take responsibility as the seller to find out where the shipment is.
I asked for a tracking number and I paid you promptly in full plus additional fees to keep you happy.
Looking forward to finding out where this ended up and resolving this.
On Jul 15, 2015 12:00 PM, "justin lovell" <just.love.film@gmail.com> wrote:
Yes. Read the history of this email.
On Jul 15, 2015 11:58 AM, "Michael Riley" <msriley@mail.usf.edu> wrote:
Did you send the email asking for me to look (again) at the post office before or after you tried to smear names on old threads on DVX forum? I'm confused.
On Tue, Jul 14, 2015 at 5:29 PM, justin lovell <just.love.film@gmail.com> wrote:
Michael,
Can you contact the post office you shipped it with and have them backtrack the shipment to the day it was apparently shipped. I would imagine they can look it up as per the senders name and possibly the receiver (yourself). At the very least, try contacting your local office and tell them what happened. Some proof from the post office and tracking numbers to show where this ended up would settle this once and for all.
I would like to resolve this so we can both move on.
-----------------
Justin Lovell
Cinematographer | Assoc. CSC
WWW.FRAMEDISCREET.COM | WE LOVE FILM
w. 416.901.5332 m. 416.803.1101
I am lucky if I get responses from Michael Riley. I send emails once a week with no response. The last email I got was telling me he would setup a visa with his PayPal account and resolve this. I patiently waited over a month. He ignored my last few emails asking for updates. His last response said this:
On Aug 28, 2015 2:24 AM, "Michael Riley" <msriley@mail.usf.edu> wrote:
I said I was going to apply for a paypal card, not link a credit card, my cards are already maxed. I was selling my stuff to pay debt and move. I still don't have a job. There is literally nothing I can do at this exact second.
On Thu, Aug 27, 2015 at 7:08 PM, justin lovell <just.love.film@gmail.com> wrote:
Another 7 days have passed.
What is the problem? As I suggested, you said you were going to link your credit card to take care of this through PayPal.
Why haven't you been good to your word?
On Aug 20, 2015 2:30 AM, "justin lovell" <just.love.film@gmail.com> wrote:
Another 5 days passes.
Seriously Michael please... Why won't you take care of this?
On Aug 15, 2015 8:08 PM, "justin lovell" <just.love.film@gmail.com> wrote:
???
On Aug 8, 2015 3:15 PM, "justin lovell" <just.love.film@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Michael,
Hope your move went well. Hope I'm not being placed on the back burner. Please let me know that you are taking care of this. Would appreciate a timeline and firm date so I can stop pestering you.
I'm sure your sick of hearing from me, as I am tired of pestering you.
Let's wrap this up so we can move on.
On Aug 3, 2015 6:10 AM, "justin lovell" <just.love.film@gmail.com> wrote:
Hey Michael,
Thank you for your email.
With PayPal, you just have to link your credit card to it. No approval process, pretty straight forward. Got mine setup in 5 minutes. So unless you take your time with it, you should have it set up same day you do it.
Please post me later to let me know status.
Good luck with the move.
On Aug 3, 2015 7:47 PM, "Michael Riley" <msriley@mail.usf.edu> wrote:
I haven't forgotten about this, just in the process of moving. I have had a paypal account for a long time so I can probably get approved for a caard for them. I didn't know they had cards until you mentioned it. A loan from the bank probably won't happen though because I don't have collateral and no job.As far as a hard timeline goes, I don't think its unfair for you to ask, but it depends if I get approved for this card or not I suppose.
On Thu, Jul 30, 2015 at 3:20 PM, justin lovell <just.love.film@gmail.com> wrote:
Hey Michael,
My apologies for your loss.
Over the past month I have lost my mother in law and am now with my father in Australia as my aunt is in the hospital. I had to take out a loan from the bank to cover our flights.
I know it can be difficult.
If I were in your shoes I would be doing everything in my power to make good and resolve this and assume responsibility so I don't get a bad name or look bad.
Please give me a hard timeline on when you will pay me back. A believe week is more then reasonable. After waiting over 3 months, I don't think it is unreasonable for you to put this on a credit card with PayPal or to take out a loan from a bank in the worst case. I'm sure you're inventive enough to find way if you're a talented filmmaker.
On Jul 30, 2015 3:49 AM, "Michael Riley" <msriley@mail.usf.edu> wrote:
Well, I've tried to keep the details out of it, because frankly as a stranger, I don't expect you to care, and that isn't mean to be insulting but truthful. But because you keep asking why, I Just lost both my mom and my grandmother, and I'm not working, had to sell camera gear just to survive. Now I understand that isn't your fault or problem, I'm just giving you the why is that I've been having a hard time. The post office informed me that there is no way to track it. There is no way I can get you your money back this week, but I will figure out a way to repay you in full as soon as I can. My guess is that if the lens hasn't come in for months, and hasn't been returned to me, that it is lost and never showing up.
On Wed, Jul 29, 2015 at 6:58 AM, justin lovell <just.love.film@gmail.com> wrote:
Thank you Michael,
What is the status?
" I understand your frustration, and if I had the money I would refund currently, but that money was spend before I knew we had this issue."
We have known this is an issue for over 3 months now. You said you paid for express shipping because you sent it later then you planned. Anything taking longer then 5 business days on express is an issue that you as the seller should be expected to resolve.
Why you have left this so long and still haven't closed this, is something I truly do not understand.
I would appreciate my money back if you cannot get me my lens this week. Please let's settle this finally.
-----------------
Justin Lovell
Cinematographer | Assoc. CSC
WWW.FRAMEDISCREET.COM | WE LOVE FILM
w. 416.901.5332 m. 416.803.1101
---------------------------------------------
Recent Projects:
4 Days in April - Mike Weir Story
METRIC - Synthetica (Music Video)
Titanfall: Free The Frontier
Justin, I called the Post office, and I"m not sure if I got someone very rude, or just having a bad day but they seemed to think it impossible to track at this point, although from what I've read online that isn't the case, I'll try to call again tomorrow, or possibly if I call later today I'll get someone else.
On Thu, Jul 23, 2015 at 3:12 AM, Michael Riley <msriley@mail.usf.edu> wrote:
I am making efforts to resolve, despite you saying constantly that I am a scammer and trying to scam you. I will contact you tomorrow to let you know what the USPS office says about inquiring on a lost tracking number. I understand your frustration, and if I had the money I would refund currently, but that money was spend before I knew we had this issue. As far as you posted in the DVXuser forum as seeing me post about buying more stuff, I'm not sure why you feel that way, as I haven't bought or sold anything since knowing for sure the package was lost.
Until then, understand there isn't anything else I can do. It's not as simple as refunding the money because that isn't an option on my end, I simply don't have $600 laying around. Not that it matters but I'm not working right now, its not like I have a stead income coming in. Again I'll let you know tomorrow at the latest what they say about tracking it down.
On Tue, Jul 21, 2015 at 10:20 PM, justin lovell <just.love.film@gmail.com> wrote:
Michael,
Have you been in touch with the post office. Are you making efforts to resolve this?
Please let me know where you stand on this.
On Jul 15, 2015 12:04 PM, "justin lovell" <just.love.film@gmail.com> wrote:
It is not my responsibility to track the package.
It is up to you to take responsibility as the seller to find out where the shipment is.
I asked for a tracking number and I paid you promptly in full plus additional fees to keep you happy.
Looking forward to finding out where this ended up and resolving this.
On Jul 15, 2015 12:00 PM, "justin lovell" <just.love.film@gmail.com> wrote:
Yes. Read the history of this email.
On Jul 15, 2015 11:58 AM, "Michael Riley" <msriley@mail.usf.edu> wrote:
Did you send the email asking for me to look (again) at the post office before or after you tried to smear names on old threads on DVX forum? I'm confused.
On Tue, Jul 14, 2015 at 5:29 PM, justin lovell <just.love.film@gmail.com> wrote:
Michael,
Can you contact the post office you shipped it with and have them backtrack the shipment to the day it was apparently shipped. I would imagine they can look it up as per the senders name and possibly the receiver (yourself). At the very least, try contacting your local office and tell them what happened. Some proof from the post office and tracking numbers to show where this ended up would settle this once and for all.
I would like to resolve this so we can both move on.
-----------------
Justin Lovell
Cinematographer | Assoc. CSC
WWW.FRAMEDISCREET.COM | WE LOVE FILM
w. 416.901.5332 m. 416.803.1101
justin lovell
Active member
Michael Riley claims he is applying for 4 jobs a day. He says all his credit cards are maxed out and he literally can't do anything to pay me back right now.
If he really cared, I think he would find a way to take care of this. It would appear that I'm extremely low on his priority list... Seeing as this is going into 4+ months with no resolution.
If he really cared, I think he would find a way to take care of this. It would appear that I'm extremely low on his priority list... Seeing as this is going into 4+ months with no resolution.
Rylan Zolinski
Well-known member
Are you two in the same coountry? I'd be looking into small claims at this point...
justin lovell
Active member
Different countries. Toronto and Florida.
Rylan Zolinski
Well-known member
Ouch... Honestly, if this person couldn't even provide any sort of proof (receipt, tracking number) and they couldn't backtrack with the post office, it's probably safe to say they are full of ****.
Eric Coughlin
Veteran
I'd say it sounds like the mistake is not that he is not currently paying you back; if he really has no money to pay, there's not much that can be done until a means of achieving money is achieved (a.k.a., a job), which can take awhile. Family and friends often help with things like food and shelter when someone is out of a job, but they generally won't loan out hundreds of dollars so one can refund an online sale of an item lost in transit.
I'd say the real mistake was spending the money before the thing he sold had arrived to you, been inspected, accepted, etc., basically spending money that was never fully his to spend. You should always give the buyer enough time with the item (I think two weeks may be standard, but at least a few days) to make sure the item is as described and expected, and thus keep enough refund money on hand in case they need to return the item, or in this case, the item gets lost in transit. Spending the money before it's even arrived to the buyer with no means of refunding the buyer is just plain stupid.
Let's just hope for Michael Riley's sake that no one in Tampa ever gets word of this situation as it could damage his local reputation in the video industry. And also that once he does have means of paying you back that he does so to try to repair his mistake.
I'd say the real mistake was spending the money before the thing he sold had arrived to you, been inspected, accepted, etc., basically spending money that was never fully his to spend. You should always give the buyer enough time with the item (I think two weeks may be standard, but at least a few days) to make sure the item is as described and expected, and thus keep enough refund money on hand in case they need to return the item, or in this case, the item gets lost in transit. Spending the money before it's even arrived to the buyer with no means of refunding the buyer is just plain stupid.
Let's just hope for Michael Riley's sake that no one in Tampa ever gets word of this situation as it could damage his local reputation in the video industry. And also that once he does have means of paying you back that he does so to try to repair his mistake.
justin lovell
Active member
Just an update...
Been sending emails once a week to Michael riley and he has not responded to any of the last 3 emails I have sent.
Anyone from the Tampa Bay /Florida area who can help me out?
Been sending emails once a week to Michael riley and he has not responded to any of the last 3 emails I have sent.
Anyone from the Tampa Bay /Florida area who can help me out?
Every city has a temp agency where you can find work if you really want it.
justin lovell
Active member
If he really cared, he would take the initiative and send me emails to let me know that he is making arrangements and plans to pay back what he owes. Clearly he has no problem ignoring me and the situation he is in. I just gave to much credit and trust in him as a genuine person who cares.
MDKfilms
Well-known member
Hey Justin,
sorry to see you are having problems here. I always took a leap of faith whenever I bought something from someone on here. Most times it was no problem. Just the one time I got scammed by some dude in Vegas. Hopefully Karma does indeed visit this guy and we all know Karma's a *****! Good luck buddy.
sorry to see you are having problems here. I always took a leap of faith whenever I bought something from someone on here. Most times it was no problem. Just the one time I got scammed by some dude in Vegas. Hopefully Karma does indeed visit this guy and we all know Karma's a *****! Good luck buddy.