How to handle a deadbeat who has resurfaced?

[javelin98]

In a nutshell: in 2004, I made a deal with a person for a board game, but after I paid, the game was never delivered. I tried several times to contact him and never got an answer. I filed a Paypal dispute, but was denied because it was more than 30 days after the transaction (I think that has now changed to 45 days). That transaction took place via Boardgamegeek.

Fastforward to today. I saw a game I wanted a couple of weeks ago, PM'ed the seller, and went to make the payment through Paypal. Only after I had posted the payment did I recognize the seller's real name (the email address and user handle here were different from the ones he used on BGG in 2004). Luckily, I still had the original emails I had exchanged and the Paypal transaction and dispute was still in my Paypal transaction history.

I contacted the seller and asked how he wanted to resolve this, including with my message the 2004 transaction and dispute numbers. He had no recollection of the previous transaction (and by a bizarre concidence, the game he was selling was a new edition of the same game I bought from him 8 years ago -- for the same price! Weird!), but said that he had a proven track record here on BT (over a hundred positive feedback since 2005). He offered to make it right by sending me the new game for free, which I gratefully accepted.

The game hasn't arrived yet, but I'm going to give it another week or so before checking up with him. If things go south again, I will post all the original details here, as well as the newest transaction, but I'm hoping that he keeps his word and the deal goes through this time.

Thanks,
Andreas

[Imaginos]

I think you're beyond being able to post a BTR from a 2004 trade. But, if he's multi-accounting, notify the admins. If it is the same guy, they can review and deal with him for that.

[s_o_r_r_o_w]

1. Forward all details to MagickalMemories or porkuslime.

2. File a police report.

[MagickalMemories]

EDIT: The seller has agreed to make good on the purchase I made previously by sending me the current item for free, so I'm satisfied that this is resolved. Or I will be, once the package arrived.

Thanks,
Andreas

I wish you hadn't edited your first post. The experiences you have here can be valuable to others. Now, though, the advice you were given looks absolutely random.

Eric

[javelin98]

Oh, sorry. I can go back and re-edit the edit. Give me a few minutes!

[MagickalMemories]

I think you did the right thing by contacting him first, rather than getting all "legal recourse" with it. Especially if he's someone who's earned such a high reputation here, you can be surprised (as you probably were) with how people react.


Eric

[javelin98]

That's part of the reason I didn't name the person in my OP. And now he's making good on it, so I'm content.