Hi Chugbug, sorry to hear about you predicament its a nuisance when this type of thing happens as on the whole most users are honest
and are only to happy to help sort problems out.
So, if you look at the wider picture by simply 'putting it down to experience' you give these chancers and scammers more opportunity to simply
carry on doing what they do and ripping us honest folks off.
Look at the bigger picture and simply multiply your write off by a given user number of similar incidents then this is quite a substantial amount of money indeed. I would
ask you to really stick at this and persue it via ebay, the Bank and any other means necessary to get your goods or cash back.
By signing up to the ebay world both the user and host have a legal obligation to ensure all transactions are carried out professionally.
I think most users would agree that in matters such as this E-Bay seem to get of very lightly indeed, if these incidents are occurring at such a rapid rate then it is up to them
to make provision legally for both the seller and buyer to ensure that all payment transactions are recorded in detail on the user's account, which is only available to the user and ebay
which would then make the transaction process a little more involved but would ensure complete attention to detail and a professional way of doing business. After all if you ordered items from
a supermarket over the internet and they do not arrive you simply pick up the phone and let them know, problem is sorted and you have your goods.
So why can't a method of accountability be put upon ebay as the provider, they have a legal and morale responsibility to ensure all parties are protected when any financial transaction is
taking place, it is all to easy to set up a 'TO DO' board for users to progress chase and end up getting nowhere most of the time, E-Bay must put pressure on registered users new and old
being able to account from start to finish for any financial transactions that they allow on there website and trading forum.
If you want any help Dave, I am willing to do so but please chase them and ebay and make them more accountable please as it is all to easy for them to pass the buck and act dumb.
When you put into context the volume of business they are doing worldwide, it sure ain't peanuts and they do have the clout to make this happen in some form or other and I will
also chase up any problems I have until it is resolved to the buyers satisfaction ok.
Keep up the pressure and keep us up to date if you go further ok.
Cheers
Cliff