The Gretsch Pages: Discussions: Miscellaneous Rumbles: FedEx Killed My King (Doublebass)

FedEx Killed My King (Doublebass)

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- Rated: 212 ↑
Aug 23, 2007 3:42 p.m. Proteus:

Reinforcing the notion of calling the police. You'd think they wouldn't be interested, but in my direct experience, at least some departments ARE.

I sent 53.00 for a Boss chorus pedal to a seller in Washington state a couple of years ago. No response. A fella who'd also sent the guy money about the same time contacted me saying he hadn't got his product either – nor had a few other buyers.

All told, the guy had taken payment on around 500.00 worth of product and shipped none. We contacted the Bellingham Police Department, and since we all had the documentation of every step of the transactions, an officer paid the kid (as it turned out to be) and his father a call.

The police stayed in touch with us. 10 days later I had a brand new Boss chorus pedal.

Given the cost of this transaction, and the additional possibility that you've been scammed on the damage too (the old hospital ploy, no less...), that it's interstate (international?) and internet fraud – I think the police will be very interested.

I take people at face value, as you did – until I have reason to suspect something rotten in Denmark. No foul against you for being trusting.

Now it's time to call the law.
- Rated: 40 ↑
Aug 23, 2007 6:28 p.m. roadjunkie:

Agreed! And may I add this? Once you contact the police and the local authorities on his side of the world go find the most heartless son of a bitch lawyer you can find! The kind that would sue his own mother just out of principal then go after him! I have to believe this was a bullshit story from the start on his part!
- Rated: 29 ↑
Aug 23, 2007 8:07 p.m. MattYeoman:

Setzer said: I think from the very start wrapping a case in saran wrap and shipping it like that is just plain stupid. He clearly was using cost cutting measures. Maybe the bass was fubared before FedEx got it. Have you thought about that?

Yeah Setz, eventually I thought of that. But the damage to the outside of the package just lined up too well. Which could have been fabricted as well. But then we're getting into weird conspiracy theory territory.

Anyway, I took Mr. Trouble's advice and gave him one last message. He got back to me saying that he hasn't been into 'the office' in a week and didn't know about this...something about the whole thing doesn't sit well. Why did he wait until now to say anything? Why did he wait until I knew the whole story? Why didn't anyone tell him it was settled? Is it a delay in communication with any number of people? Huh. Oh, and I never at any time thought about going to his house or sending anyone to his house. Thats got bad trouble written all over it.

And Proteus, I don't have much faith in the local cops. A chick I was seeing had her place broken into awhile back. Very obvious that someone ripped open the wire on her second floor window, came in and stole some money. She thought she knew who did it. She told the cop she thought she knew. He didn't even ask who it was. I'm a police foundations graduate, and as far as I can tell from two years of learning and graduating honour roll, its a police officers job to ask quetions. A question like 'who do you think did this?' is a pretty good one to ask. Dumbass. He looked really green though, you know? I'll go to the cops before I leave if this isn't sorted.
- Rated: 115 ↑
Aug 23, 2007 8:14 p.m. wenzel:

So, besides saying he hasn't been in the office, did he say anything about sending you the money tomorrow? He'd better be all over it like white on rice!
- Rated: 212 ↑
Aug 23, 2007 9:12 p.m. Proteus:

Well, cops vary from locale to locale and individual to individual.

My good experience with the Bellingham WA police may not be universal for everyone. (I'm sure chrisbo will be in to bash all cops everywhere.) But it's no big problem to give the police in your seller's locale a fair chance. Costs nothing. You don't want to be dealing with the police where YOU live - just where the seller lives.

Most of my interactions with police have been positive.
- Rated: 37 ↑
Aug 23, 2007 11:32 p.m. MR TROUBLE:

and here we go again...
- Rated: 29 ↑
Aug 24, 2007 12:19 a.m. MattYeoman:

I said: A question like 'who do you think did this?' is a pretty good one to ask. Dumbass. He looked really green though, you know?

This cop was a dumbass. Period. Anyone who argues otherwise is a dumbass too. Like I said though, he looked really 'green,' young, a rookie. I've come to know the local cops around here. Quite a few of them in fact. Been friends with one for awhile, and suspected of crimes by others. I know them from both sides of the funny line called 'the law.' And all in all, I don't trust most of them. This is MY first hand knowledge from interaction, and from two years of learning from REAL cops what it means to do their job, and I'll come to any god damn judgement I feel is fair. And as of right now, my faith in them is low. And consequently, my faith in how well they could handle this situation, should it come to it, is low as well.

He didn't say much Wenz, just that he hadn't been in the office and he'll look into what has gone wrong, and he'll get back to me by morning (on August 24). We shall see what transpires this morning, eh?
- Rated: 212 ↑
Aug 24, 2007 12:48 a.m. Proteus:

WTF is your problem, Yeoman?

Where's all the hostility coming from?

Who even argued with your assessment of the local cops?

This has NOTHING to do with your LOCAL cops anyway. It's all about the police where the seller is. That's where the fraud, if any, is taking place. Do you know anything about them?

Several people have suggested involving the police in that location if your seller doesn't come through. It's free to try; the police never bill you. A lawyer will cost you, and threatening letters from anonymous lawyers is less impressive to most people than a uniform at the door.

Can you not set your anger and hostility aside long enough to do yourself some good?

EVERYone is on your side here. I've gotten my ass reamed multiple times in this thread for being supportive of your view.

I'm sorry about your bass and the whole situation. Can you not see that we're trying to make useful suggestions here based on both the law as we (variously) understand it, and our experiences? No one's trying to get your undies in a bunch.

If you don't want various perspectives, don't ask.

I'm done with this one.
- Rated: 29 ↑
Aug 24, 2007 3:07 a.m. MattYeoman:

I wasn't being hostile, Mr. Trouble seemed bothered by the discussion of police, and I just explained why I felt the way I felt. I don't want to come off like someone who bashes cops for no reason. I'm not that person at all, I'm an honour roll Police Foundations graduate who has been friends with officers, taught by officers, respected officers highly, and may be one someday himself. I have reasons for my local police being a collection of people I don't have the upmost of faith in. And I'm pretty sure they'll have to be involved before the cops in another country are. But what do I really know? All I know is it's gonna be cheaper (long distances charges may apply)to go to them first and see what they can tell me.

As far as wtF my problem is, well, I'm not sure to be honest with you. Everyone on earth takes me in the wrong context, even my own parents. Do I need to use more smileys?? Do I need to stop explaining how I feel? Should I avoid all human contact so as to not offend anyone? I don't know or care, I'm just me and doing what I can to be good to those around me, and if you get offended along the way, well, there's a very good chance you're missing who I am. My general belief is that everyone seems to focus on the negative things I say, and never the positive. As if I'm forbade to ever even mention something being less than 'awesome job, everything is super happy.' I dunno.....its odd. The whole world is just dying to hear everything it wants to hear all the time and arguments, discussions, and stepping outside of the PC line, are seen as 'wrong.' It makes me kinda sad. I'm not mad at Mr. Trouble, and I'm not mad at Proteus. At all. But right about now I'm wondering how man people have read this far and think otherwise.
- Rated: 115 ↑
Aug 24, 2007 6:01 a.m. wenzel:

Matt, you need more smileys and flowers in your posts!
- Rated: 29 ↑
Aug 24, 2007 10:40 a.m. mark t:

Matt, you need more smileys and flowers in your posts!

Having spoken with Matt in person, I can tell you that he's one of the quietest, most laid back people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting...even when describing his busted bass, he was obviously pissed off, but very calm in discussing it. I think that this is maybe a case of text not conveying the person's tone of voice and body language.

That being said, on the movie forum i'm part of, people have dealt with rip off artists and mail fraud by filing a report with the offender's local police with fantastic results. I would definitely get them involved...once the mail comes into play, the words "federal offense" can be very intimidating.
- Rated: 115 ↑
Aug 24, 2007 11:22 a.m. wenzel:

Matt, I was joking... Your posts are fine to me.
- Rated: 83 ↑
Aug 24, 2007 11:43 a.m. Deed Eddy:

Matt, the term PC does not apply here, believe me. You can vent, rant, rave, be happy, be sad, be ridiculous...it's all good at this place. You'll get an assortment of replies, but you are among friends. And know this, everyone is concerned about your problem, and all want to help.

Having read through the latest posts, I just realized that you are not in the U.S. I'm sorry I didn't catch that from the beginning. I can see how this might make dealing with the police in the sender's area more difficult.
- Rated: 77 ↑
Aug 24, 2007 12:01 p.m. sassy:

Matt..where does this scam artist live? In the USA? Or Canada? Maybe you stated the place and I didn't catch it
- Rated: 8 ↑
Aug 24, 2007 3:19 p.m. Diga:

I think it might be time to combine this thread w/ the Boozin at the Computer thread

Seriously, I do hope this all works out for you
- Rated: 67 ↑
Aug 24, 2007 3:36 p.m. Antik:

Matt, If the person who has your money is in the US, you have the option of suing them in small claims court. Most will allow a suit to be filed by mail. It is not too expensive. No lawyer is needed. You would have to show up on the day of the hearing though. You'd then tell your story, present the evidence/documentation, tell the judge how much money you think you are owed and why, and the judge would most likely rule in your favor. And since you have the person's bank and account number you might be able to apply for a court order to collect the money the same day.

BTW if the other person does not show up you would most likely win the case by default.
- Rated: 30 ↑
Aug 24, 2007 10:54 p.m. greg:

Right on Diga!i just finished some Don Julio tequila and 5-alive.Matt,when ya get to the "wet"coast i'll buy ya a pint and give ya a big hug!Then we will hire Christopher Walkin and unleash...THE DOGS OF WAR....on the bastard.Now back to my Clockwork orange movie.
- Rated: 29 ↑
Jun 16, 2008 3:57 p.m. MattYeoman:

This post has been deleted
- Rated: 15 ↑
Jun 16, 2008 4:01 p.m. jameslynch:

That is complete Bullshit man! So sorry. I hope you can get it all worked out and get a new better one on the way soon.

best of luck,

James
- Rated: 29 ↑
Jun 16, 2008 4:04 p.m. MattYeoman:

Hey folks, here's the resolution after all the muckity muck that this thread kicked up. Ain't it (and I! Ha!) pretty?
- Rated: 61 ↑
Jun 16, 2008 4:51 p.m. Bear:

Matt, that sucks BIG TIME. I had a similar experience with a Deluxe Reverb and UPS. It took me three months to finally get them to pay up. Their first line of defense is ALWAYS improper packaging. Fight long and hard and you can beat them but it's tough. I'm glad it worked out for you. The bass looks great.
- Rated: 29 ↑
Jun 16, 2008 4:53 p.m. MattYeoman:

Whoops, never mentioned. I gave up on everyone else involved in this. I paid for the repairs all by myself, with no help from fedex or the seller. F*ck em. This is mine now.
- Rated: 83 ↑
Jun 16, 2008 4:55 p.m. Mark Synchro:

MattYeoman said: Hey folks, here's the resolution after all the muckity muck that this thread kicked up. Ain't it (and I! Ha!) pretty?

Is that the new 6120 El Grande model? Nice doghouse dude!
- Rated: 29 ↑
Jun 17, 2008 3:27 p.m. MattYeoman:

Thanks Mark. I really like it.....I'm just starting to wish my fingers were made out of titanium!
- Rated: 83 ↑
Jun 17, 2008 4:51 p.m. Mark Synchro:

That's the same problem I have with double basses.