PaulnOhio took my money!!!

[digphisher]

PaulnOhio DID NOT take my money!!!

I know that the rules of the forum say that we can not talk trash upon other members, so this will not be trash. This is a statement to protect my fellow members from purchasing anything from this member, Paulnohio.

He and I spoke through this message board about his 2006 running boards that he was selling, and that I really wanted. He had a great price, 175, so I told him that I would buy them from him. I told him that I would send a money order for the $$ (now I realize that was a mistake), and that I would pay for shipping after I received the item. I sent him the money on december 1st. He received the check on the 5th, and cashed it on the 7th. He told me that he would email me the next day with a tracking number. I never heard from him. I did not hear from him after I made multiple phone calls, until I finally got a hold of him on the 15th. He gave me a story about how his mother-in-law was sick so he was out of town, and that the place where he was had no cell towers,...etc. I gave him the benefit of the doubt, considering that we are both members of T4R.org, what I thought was a tight and trusting community. He PROMISED me to have them in the mail the next day. Again, I never received a tracking number, nor a package. I still want those damn running boards, so I am still hoping that he forgot to send me a tracking number and he is out of town, and that they will arrive...but my hopes are dwindling.

I like to treat others I like to be treated. This guy obviously doesn't abide by my theory. I have his address, and have contacted his local Police department to find out what options I have. I found out that there is something called "Theft by deception", which, if I don't receive the item,will be the crime Paul has committed. If I don't hear from him by Friday, I will be pressing charges. I don't know what else to do.

I just thought I would share this story with my fellow members so that they will not buy anything from this member again.

If I do indeed receive my running boards by some miracle, I will definately post the outcome, and the story as to why I haden't gotten them until then.

 

[jev2022]

local police

Interestingly enough, this happened to me on another forum when I purchased a cell phone. CRAP was done. Local enforcement was friendly enough to help me, but honestly there is nothing they can do.

Please post the outcome of your situation. Good luck!

 

[Good Times]

If you sent the check via snail mail then this is considered mail fraud. Take it up to the USPS and they'll take care of it. Although they may be super slow, they'll get the job done right.

By covering both the Postal system and the local police system you should be able to get your funds back. I might even try to see where the check was cashed and see if your banks can do anything about as well. Of course this would only apply after you file a report with both the local authorities and the Postal guys.

Good luck

 

[schwalmy]

digphisher
First off I think you have handled this extremely well.
I do not see any of this as name bashing as you have kept things to the facts and are willing to let us know the outcome.
This community has been of help to every one at one time or another and a lot of trust has been built on people helping people as well as all of us sharing our experiences with each other.
It is very sad to hear this story on how one

 

[RaysMD]

I hate hearing about things like this. It's makes me sick to my stomach. To think that I almost bought the running boards from him also. I'm sorry for what happened to you. He probably figured out that it would cost him a fortune to ship those running boards and backed out at the last minute. Sometimes it's just safer to pay retail than to buy something off the message boards. sad to say this, but I think that eBay is even safter than the message boards.


hope things work out.

 

[CuzzinOlaf]

I hate hearing about things like this. It's makes me sick to my stomach. To think that I almost bought the running boards from him also. I'm sorry for what happened to you. He probably figured out that it would cost him a fortune to ship those running boards and backed out at the last minute. Sometimes it's just safer to pay retail than to buy something off the message boards. sad to say this, but I think that eBay is even safter than the message boards.


hope things work out.

I am going to post up a write up for you that might help. I will post the link here as soon as it is up. Good luck.

 

[CuzzinOlaf]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15320

Enjoy.....

 

[KyleT]

have any of you seen the thread on pairate 4x4?
i read every page. poor wenzel

 

[digphisher]

Just wanted to update everyone:

Paul has gotten in contact with me, finally. Someone in his family passed away, and he was out of town. He stated that he was very sorry, and feels bad that he treated me like he did. He said that he sent them out via UPS, and will pay for the shipping. It is an unfortunate thing that I had to go through all of this, but I feel better knowing that the running boards are on their way. I'll feel even better when they get here. I appreciate the support of the board.

Gator Greg, I don't think a ban of Paul is in order (any more). In his email, he spoke highly of the board and its members, and how he would never want to deceive another fellow member.

 

[sharp4runr]

I'm glad that it is going to work out for you. Hopefully this experience hasn't soured you on buying items on the forum. I've bought a couple things from members here and I haven't had any issues (Knock on wood).

Make sure you throw up some pics when you get them.

 

[digphisher]

Paul has given me permission to post his email to me. It looks like all will end well, as I had hoped. My view about our members will not change due to this experience. I still think we've got something special here, and will continue to trust my fellow members.

Here it is:

Dan,
I will try and make this as short as possible. First, my Mother (actually, step-mother) passed away and I have been home with loved ones in Virginia! She is the only mother I have ever known (since I was 4 years old). Also, I am sorry about just getting back to you...I had actually told a friend of mine to stop and ship the running boards for me before I left for VA, but I just found out that he didnt follow through so I had them shipped a few days ago. Words cannot express how sorry I am and I can only imagine how you must feel (plus, I had no way of getting in touch with you). However, I hope that you are sympathetic to the fact that I was VERY close to my step-mother and her death has been weighing on my mind heavily. So, I completely lost focus on your running boards as I have been in Virginia with family and friends during this difficult time. The running boards have been shipped and your tracking number through UPS is
# 1Z0005AW0399572248. I didnt clean them before shipping as they were a little dirty (due to rain) when I took them off. But, they are in new condition and I apologize if you have to clean them after you take delivery. Dont worry, UPS wrapped them first before shipping. Please understand that I am REALLY sorry and I do not typically treat people as you have been treated. I have been a member of T4R.ORG for quite a while and would never intentionally treat another member badly. Please accept my deepest apologies and I hope that you enjoy the running boards. If you have any questions or concerns, please dont hesistate to call me as I am back in Ohio now! And, obviously dont worry about sending money for shipping. It was $65 and I feel that you deserve the discount after making you wait. Best of luck.
Paul

 

[jharris2]

Glad that it is going to work out for you. According to the UPS tracking site, you'll have your running boards on Thursday (personally, I've found it to be pretty accurate at projecting delivery dates).


As for PaulnOhio, very sorry to hear about the loss. Unfortunately, it's something we all have to go through. On behalf of the members, we certainly wish you and your family all the best during this tough time.

 

[RaysMD]

same here. sorry for the loss. I wish you well.

 

[paulnohio]

Thanks everyone for the wishes and understanding. This has been a very difficult holiday season for me obviously. And, to add insult to injury, I completely lost focus on making my promise to Dan to get my running boards to him quickly. It is not of my character to treat someone that way and I have apologized to Dan. I also apologize to all members and potential buyers on this forum. Please dont let this experience hender your decisions to buy things from T4R. This was an isolated incident that was completely my fault and understand that my intentions were positive the whole way through. Dan has been very understanding and sympathetic to my situation. He is someone of integrity and character and I respect him greatly as all members of T4R.ORG. This sight and its members are the best on the net and I am proud to call myself a member. Thanks again everyone, and its great to be back.
Paul

 

[digphisher]

Just want to let y'all know... I got the running boards!!! Now I just have to install them. And, I know how this board works, a post is worthless without a picture, so I'll post pics as soon as I get them on. Have a happy new year T4R!