(no subject)
OMG YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENED TO ME TODAY !
I had done a sales post on Craigslist about a week ago trying to sell my Canon Camcorder and for the past week have been in contact with a buyer who really wanted the product. The person went by the name Helen and continued to tell me that they would purchase it and if I could do them the favor of shipping the product to their son -whose doing missionary work in Africa; as their birthday present. Although I had made the posting for the GTA, they told me they were on a business trip in London and me; being the wholesome person I am, agreed to shipping the item for them.
I even went out of my way to the post office to find out the cost to shipping in Africa from Canada, the types of shipping methods to choose, etc, etc. I replied to the buyer (Helen) that they had a choice of 3 different kinds Canada Post had to offer. The buyer chose the most expensive method there was. I sent them a confirmation e-mail the break down of my camera's sale price plus their shipping. Now at the total of around $530-$560, the buyer agreed and I sent them an invoice.
I waited and waited for their transaction to go through; checked my e-mails to find a response e-mail, notifying of the invoice. They provided me the address and told me they sent through the money. Two things I found out of the ordinary: a) the buyer sent through $200.00 extra for payment and said they wanted the parcel to be sent by USPS with a tracking number, b) the buyer's 'tone' I perceived in the e-mail seemed timid/ aggrevated. I thought to myself... whythefack would you tell me USPS out of the blue, when you know I live in Canada and we NEVAR discussed this before. Although they provided $200 extra which, I guess was fine with me to cover extra costs. On the other hand, I thought, whoa... you were polite to me this WHOLE time -until now- and I know you are spending a great deal of money but, again, whythefack at the total of around $750.00 now, do you still want to buy my unused camcorder? You can just buy a new one where ever the hell you are!
I gave in because I'm once again, too modest. I did however assure them that I have experience as a buyer and seller and know how weary it can be entrusting someone with money and hoping that you get your item you rightfully paid for
Yesterday slowly took a turn when I noticed 2 of my e-mails of the buyer's transactions from 'Paypal' were in my Junk mail folder (wth?). I quickly sent an e-mail to the buyer telling them I received the funds and that I would have to try and find a post office somewhere in Wasaga(the next day) since by the time I got the messages, the post offices here were closed. I was going to my cousin's cottage for the day but will ship it tomorrow (which is now/ was today since this is going to be posted aft. 12am lol). Still finding it odd that the verification e-mails from 'PayPal' were in my junk mail, I quickly signed onto my PayPal account and saw the invoice as pending. hmm... very suspicious.
I read through the two e-mails thoroughly and thought it was questionable but, pushed the thought away since there, on one of the e-mails it explained that the money is on "hold" with PayPal and will appear as a "pending" invoice until a tracking number is provided to such and such address. Once I send the tracking #, the hold will be cleared and I will get my moola. Now, to say the least, I had no idea what I was doing because I had been the one to respond to invoices but never make one and request money myself -so yes, I went along with the messages - like a-foo'.
Got to Wasaga and went to the Canada Post in the Shopper's Drug Mart with Kris and my cousin Sergio. Because they did not have the soonest shipment time of 2-3 days the buyer wanted, I turned down the shipping and searched for Purolator, then UPS. Purolator was too far so we went to the UPS store. There,when mentioning that this was being shipped to Nigeria, the experienced female employee immediately asks, "is this an ebay purchase you're sending?". Me: "ugh... noo, Craigslist". Employee:"Did you receive an e-mail from PayPal saying that your money is on hold and that you will not receive your funds until you provide a tracking number". My eyes went wide as I knew just what was waiting for me when I responded. Employee:" Yeup, definitely a scam. We've had a few incidents with the same story, it seems most items being sent to Nigeria have been scams".
I could NOT believe what I was hearing. I was stunned, heck, I still am. All I wanted to do at that moment was take back being pissed that Canada Post didn't deliver sooner, but then be mad at Canada Post because they never once brought something as helpful as this lady from UPS did. I wanted to twirl around the store, jumping with glee and exasperated gratitude like the expression of kissing the floor because I found this out. Then it hit me -duh Erika you are one stupid-genius. It all made sense now. I took the lady's advice and left asap. I felt so relieved because I would have basically spent close to $250 in shipping and not only spending that money but loosing my camcorder to a Nigerian resident slu and NOT have my transaction go through because there was NO money from the buyer sent to my REAL PayPal account because it was ALL A LIE.
That bastard, if you're somehow reading this - YOU GOT CAUGHT SUCKA !
As soon as I got home - as soooooooooooon as I got home. I kindly sent an e-mail to Helen Saah and told them that they've been flagged as fraudulent by UPS, that PayPal does NOT do that form of payment and was considerate enough to say that if they were who they said they were and really did have "a son doing missionary work in Nigeria with their step-mother preacher" that, I would not be taking my chances and they can keep their money cause my camcorder ain't goin' no where-- of course in a much more politely put fashion :)
Then dashed a message to PayPal's spoof address since I noticed a BILLION more errors within the e-mail like: the sender's contact was that same address as the service e-mails PayPal sends (crazy I know) BUT when I tried to forward the e-mail, the content wouldn't show up and then when I clicked reply :O...the sender's address actually changed to the address they wanted me to send the friggen tracking number to. Those faking slus got smarter. But not smart enough... muah ha ha. Also notified Craigslist although I doubt they'd give a damn. Then sent a lovely testimonial to UPS :) lol thanks lady !
I guess today wasn't so much a bad day after all. At least now I know for sure.
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My internet connection has started to be more like its 'ol self again so yes, the rest of my vacation postings will be up soon, journal dearest ♥