I think I was scammed - Advice needed!

**Desert_Star_Systems** · 07-21-2010 12:40 PM

Congrats on a good ending to what sounded like a sure loss.

**kaito** · 07-21-2010 06:20 PM

Originally Posted by Desert_Star_Systems

Congrats on a good ending to what sounded like a sure loss.

Not a good ending yet but let's hope for the best!

**EXECUTIVE** · 07-22-2010 12:58 AM

This post is better than any soap opera. Twists and turns that take you on an emotional rollercoaster.

**kaito** · 07-22-2010 03:05 AM

Originally Posted by EXECUTIVE

This post is better than any soap opera. Twists and turns that take you on an emotional rollercoaster.

Glad you found this post entertaining. Sadly enough, I find it entertaining when I read about unfortunate things that happen to other people and how they try their best to solve it through. I try to add as much detail as possible as so my fellow forum members know what I have tried and so they know that I'm not just sitting on my ass all day waiting for my investment to return.

**Marco Santori** · 07-22-2010 09:43 AM

I hate to focus on the negative here, but paypal is a notoriously fluid means of transferring money. That is, any money transferred can be suspended, removed from your account temporarily (or permanently) and deducted even AFTER you've transferred the money to a checking account and closed your paypal account. I'm sorry I didn't get to this thread earlier to suggest this, but an e-check provides absolutely no protection to you until after paypal's (30 day?) waiting period. Paypal is not a wire transfer.

Do let us know if the check clears, and check PayPal's TOS to determine the period during which he can dispute the transfer.

**kaito** · 07-22-2010 01:11 PM

I understand that Paypal is always on the side of the buyers. So in this case, the person sending the money will be the buyer. The thing is, I did ask him to send it as a personal to avoid any kind of dispute afterwards with Paypal. I'm not too sure if this will help but I will try talking to a Paypal rep. about this.

Update:

I money did not clear yesterday as it was supposed to. Contacted the guy and he told me that Paypal wasn't correctly linked to his bank account and was unable to clear. I smell bullshit and asked him to give it to me in cash because I've waited too long. I guy agreed to meet me Saturday morning at 7AM so I will have to see what kind of shit he pulls this time around.

**kaito** · 08-03-2010 01:45 PM

Thanks to the support of the members of the community, I was able to get this matter cleared up. After speaking with the guy (who owed me money), he decided to give me a personal check in the amount of $2000.00 I believe this only happened because I have told him that I am going to take him to small claims court to dispute it there.

The check cleared today and I now have the money back in my account as of this morning.

Lastly, instead of turning this bad experience into a total loss of time and money, I have started up a small business in the same location. The benefit of this location was that since it is an AAFES (Air & Air Force Exchage Services) mall, I am selling electronic cigarettes to many military people at discounted price. The best part? The risk is really low. I only pay the fee of 15% ~ 20% as commission to have my booth inside the mall with high exposure. This was perfect since I did not have much capital to start up but now, I'm making the capital to move on to a larger, civilian market.