I bought a Singer model 99 sewing machine in a cabinet that I loved at a local antique store. Since it needed work, I sent it to a person on EBay that sold me my Featherweight. He told me he was going to exchange my machine for one that was already refurbished if I didn't mind. As long as it was the same machine I had no problem with that. Now to get to the problem and my need for advice. The machine didn't arrive when he said it would. After waiting a few days we contacted him via EBay since he has a "store" on there. A few days later I received an email from his son saying he had major heart surgery but his son would send out my machine. Ok thus far :wink:

When the machine arrived it doesn't work. The wires going into the machine are bare, one isn't even attached to the machine, etc. I paid him $135 to refurbish this machine plus shipping and I got back a machine that can't be used. I paid through my PayPal account but this was a month or so ago since I was waiting for him to respond to my numerous phone calls and emails.

I feel guilty compaining to PayPal about this transaction since I know he has been ill and may not even be with us but I also can't afford to throw away $135 on a machine that doesn't work.

My question, sorry this was so long, what would you do.

File a complaint.

I agree, file a complaint.

Definitely, file a complaint! He shouldn't have switched them. I think he should have fixed yours and returned it. It's possible the son sent the wrong one, too. But, anyway, file a complaint.

you need to file a complaint before this happens to someone else

Please, file the complaint before too much time goes by.

You only have the word of an email from his "son" that he has been ill. Maybe he has, maybe he hasn't. Maybe he fell on hard times himself or damaged your machine or didn't have one to send you. You don't really know. I hope he is okay, but with online transactions, you need to protect yourself first. Especially if no one will return a phone call or email.

You need to file a complaint with PayPal. They will refund your money until the problem is taken care through them. That's one of the advantages of paying through them.

Have you corresponded with this seller letting them know that you are not happy with this trade? I think PayPal/ebay requires you to allow the seller to try and make good on the transaction first.
Then if they don't, you have the right (and should) contact PayPal for reimbursement.

Even if Dad is incapacitated, he still has a responsibility to his sellers. So yes, do follow through to either get a working machine or a refund.

contact paypal. the family of the man should be taking care of things in his absence and although we all know (life happens) that does not mean you should be taken advantage of...or ripped off. I would also send the son a copy of the correspondence you had with his dad, and let them know that what you received is not acceptable. but after contacting him (who knows he may just refund your money himself) then contact paypal, and also remember to put the feedback on the ebay...contact them too. if he has a store they should be notified there is a problem

Paypal will not put up with unsatified custmers. Please file the complaint. If you don't he may do the same thing to another great quilter. Please let us know the outcome of your problem..

File your complaint NOW. Maybe the son is the one that sent the wrong one. If so, it should be easy to make it right, but not at your expense. Get it documented as soon as possible.

you really never know who you are dealing with on the other end of ebay you need to file a complaint and get the process started if this is legit the person will fix the problem or refund you the money with the item shipped back!

File the complaint and get everyting settled to your satisfaction. Otherwise you are just throwing away $135.00 - just think of the fabric you can buy with that!

I thank you all for your advice. I have just filed a complaint with PayPal but not sure they will be able to do anything because it's been past the 45 days. That's what I get for trying to be nice about this and waiting until the seller got back on his feet. Now I may be out the $138, thought it was only $135 but upon checking the transaction I realized it was more.

I felt bad about filing a complaint until I received all your comments. He still has listings on EBay and I feel badly for people who order through that site right now. We went to him directly since I had his website so EBay wouldn't be able to help although he does list "refurbished machines" for $125 on there.

Thanks again folks. Live and learn I guess but at my age you would think I'd know better.

You can also file a complaint with ebay. They will look into the problem. You shouldn't be stuck with a machine that doesn't work.

Did you pay through Pay-Pal using a major CC? If you did, you can file with you CC company. When I use Pay-Pal I always use a major CC for just this reason.

HTH

I am sure that with the circumstances of him being hospitalized that Paypal or Ebay will allow more time for the filing. I have done a whole lot of business with ebay and never got stung. I did however get stung on Overstock.com, That is another story!!!

Is this the same guy you bought the featherweight from and had a nightmare with?

Not me.

There should be some recourse, I've not bought from ebay.

You need to file a complain and let pay pal take care of it. If nothing else you need your original machine back and your money refunded.

Maybe he was just a dishonest person trying to cheat you out of a good machine and into a bad one. That is why I won't do business that way. I want to meet the repairperson and know he is honest. I don't trust e-bay or any of those website places.

I have had to file complaints with Ebay before and they are so great about taking care of the problem.They will help you.

definately file a complaint with ebay also. you should be protected.

File a complaint, maybe explain that it isn't because of his work as he had a heart issue, but the person returning your machine evidently didn't realize it had not been fixed. That should not black ball him as most understand he was not the one who returned your machine. If he survived the heart problem, he will probably want to make it right when he is well.

For $135 for heavens sake file a complaint. Circumstances happen. His son probably didn't know anything about arrangements or expectations, plus being worried about his dad. Maybe his son doesn't know one sewing machine from another. Pay pay and E-bay are usually most helpful in cases like this. But you have to speak up. I believe there are time limits.

Roberta ...

Hope all works out well with this issue. I would also file a complaint.

Hugs

Check to see if this was covered by EBay policy.

contact P/P right away....don't settle, demand your machine back plus all shipping costs...its not the guys fault but the son didn't do him any favors ruining his reputation...gee whiz..don't settle.

I would question in my mind whether he even had the health problem or not, but that's just me. I would definitely contact both him, Ebay and Paypal and file a complaint.

ABSOLUTELY

Ebay will try to make it right for you. I won an auction on a serger( i love it) but when it arrived the thread guide was broken and the plastic cover for the motor. I repaired the serger myself and eBay ( or the seller) gave me back HALF of the cost! Serger works like new and I was so happy the eBay was so prompt to help me. Good luck.
sorry so long here. Have a great weekend, rosie

Ditto

File a complaint, and never do business with him again.
I would never have sent him my machine in the first place.
Surely their is someone local that repairs machines.
With locals you have more control over the work,
especially if the work isn't done properly. And you don't pay until the work is done to your satisfaction.
Hope it all works out for you.

Keep after him. In these days, people have heart surgery and are on their computers within weeks. He should've responded....he's ripped you off. At first I thought the son didn't know what dad was supposed to do....but I'm thinking this is a scam. We don't want anyone else to be ripped off like this!

File a complaint. You have no way of knowing whether the owner was sick or not. He may be a reputable dealer but there are too many instances of fraud on the internet. PayPal will refund your money until the matter is settled.

File a complaint but explain the reason.

Definitely file a complaint! Reading about this kind of stuff is what keeps me from buying anything on ebay.

complain to ebay AND to the better business bureau in his state. From now on, go local! His problem doesn't need to by your problem too. A repututable store will get someone else to get the job done when he can't. It's a scam.

File with paypal NOW before it is too late, and send a note to the ebay seller that you are doing so AFTER the complailnt is filed. While this is probably an honest mixup you need to file so that it can be sorted out. You should get a working machine or your money returned and you should not have to spend anything to send the non working one back.