Scammed by an NP member

[financialaidnyc]

Hi all. I think I've been scammed by an np member. About two weeks ago I posted an ad here for a webdesigner, and this person replied. He agreed to create my site for $300. His reviews were positive, although for small projects like logo design, nothing for a full website.

He sent me a link to sample work, and said the site would be completed in 3-4 days (that was a week ago.) We corresponded regularly until I sent him payment for $300 via pay pal. He responded once after I sent payment, and has not replied since. His profile name is Bob_M.

I've informed paypal, and hope to get my money back. in the chance that this is a misunderstanding (incremental weather for a whole week, he was hospitalized for a rare disease...sorry, I'm a littl skeptical!) I hope Bob sees this and replies. if it's not, i want my money back--has any one had luck with paypal dispute?

Thanks!

 

[DN BROKER]

shameful

 

[HostMantis]

That is the problem with paying a designer up front. It doesn't give them any motivation to finish the job on time.

We paid a designer and were told 3-4 days as well. It was over a month by the time the design was actually finished.

 

[financialaidnyc]

I know, I know. Kicking myself. In my first email I said I would pay $150 uprfont, and $150 upon delivery. Then, felt bad because of the low budget for my project. Always go with gut instincts. I'm hoping pay pal awards a refund...but, could be wishful thinking.

 

[NPer]

To be quite frank, $300 is not a low budget at all. (Well-obviously depending on what you wanted done).

Money is money and needs to be respected. Remember, as the person paying you have a right to security. So even 30% payment upfront, then 40%, and so on... in stages, as he shows proof of what he has done is definitely in order.

Wrt the payment, if a "personal" or "gift" payment was made via Paypal, you may never see that money again. That said, if that isn't the case, I am sure Paypal can do something about reversing the payment IF the money is still in his account.

Wish you the best of luck. Hope he comes back to you and either refunds you or does the work promptly.

Regards,
:wave:

I know, I know. Kicking myself. In my first email I said I would pay $150 uprfont, and $150 upon delivery. Then, felt bad because of the low budget for my project. Always go with gut instincts. I'm hoping pay pal awards a refund...but, could be wishful thinking.

 

[financialaidnyc]

I did write on pay pal that it was for services. But they only refund if the money is in the account...damn.

 

[HostMantis]

I know, I know. Kicking myself. In my first email I said I would pay $150 uprfont, and $150 upon delivery. Then, felt bad because of the low budget for my project. Always go with gut instincts. I'm hoping pay pal awards a refund...but, could be wishful thinking.

Hopefully it works out in your favor. Next time, trust your instincts (they're usually right).

 

[financialaidnyc]

I'm banging my head here. $300 is a lot to me. Do you think there's any legal action I can take? If it was $50, chalking it up to loss would sting, but not affect anything. Thanks guys for listening to me whine! live and learn...but i want to do everything I can to try and get my money back!

 

[Dave_Z]

Do you think there's any legal action I can take?

Small claims court?

 

[snicksnack]

if the person resides in a different country it would cost you much more than $300 to get the money and in many cases might not even be able to get the money. Best chance is paypal, if they do not refund the money, there is not much you can do, unless the desginer sends you refund or finishes the work.

 

[silentg]

I would like to hear his side of the story as well. He hasn't logged in since the 19th. I don't think anyone would want to put their rep in jeopardy for $300. Did he leave a phone number you can contact him?

 

[financialaidnyc]

Silent G-- that's true. But he told me in an np email that he doesn't come on here very often and to contact him directly. I've tried both his email, and the paypal business email. There was a phone no. but its disconnected. I am thrown because his reviews were good. I want to give the benefit of the doubt, but its hard when someone changes their correspondence pattern immediately post payment. I'd like to believe he'll reply. If so, I'll be sure to clear up the confusion on here.

 

[renek]

Has paypal done anything for you?

 

[yeppers]

Have you directly reported this to a moderator here yet? There has been a similar case with another NP member just recently.

If both cases are related to Bob_M, i'd be patient, i don't know this member but he has 15 positive trader ratings (0 negative) and has been a member for just under 2 years. I wouldn't throw that away for a few hundred dollars (some might). Perhaps something has happened.

Nonetheless please report this to a moderator. I will refer the other instance to my post, if the two events are related.

EDIT: It looks as if they're both related, given asantha has posted on his profile page.

 

[financialaidnyc]

Thank you for your advice, Billie. Yeah, I don't get why someone would ruin his professional reputation either! Hard times for everyone...(including the "robbed party!") I have a dispute with pay pal open. Bob_M actually replied to them and said the transaction is for digital services. I faxed them all of our emails--so expecting a ruling for me. not that it guarantees I'll get my money back. But, I'll let a moderator know.

 

[silentg]

You should report the incident to the Mods and have him banned.