Half.com Pre-Order SCAM ??
 

This has happened to me THREE times now. I set up multiple pre-orders on Half.com for DVD's, all low priced. The past three sellers who accepted my pre-order on box sets ONLY, never shipped the item, and became myseriously unregistered.

The latest one, registered on 3/5, sold 16 items (including one to me), and then unregistered on 3/9. Obviously, I haven't had time to see if it arrives, but common sense tells me that it isn't going to.

I'm also a bit peeved, because Half's rules say that you can only file THREE buyer protection claims TOTAL. I'm already at that limit, because I've received two other items that were not as described (sold brand new - actually very used rentals), and the seller would not respond.

Their rules also state I'm unable to file a buyer protection claim against this seller because he had a feedback of zero. Well, no duh! This jerk set up an account, made some money for themself and disappeared.

Is this a growing scam on Half.com, or is it just me? Has anyone else had this happen to them?

Thanks,
Melissa

Sorry to hear about your troubles. The feedback ratings are there for a reason, as I'm sure you know. I only buy from people with decent ratings--even if it means potentially missing out on a seemingly good deal. It's really not worth the risk sending your money to some unknown.

I hope you can work this last transaction out though. Good luck.

Amen. So many lame ass people are out to steal from you these days I don't do business with "new users" or people with very little to no feedback. Even so there are some things that are tempting and even if you can't work out your problem thanks for bringing it to the boards attention (if in fact it is the new scam).

I do understand the importance of checking feedback (I have over 2000 on eBay myself) -- but unfortunately, with pre-orders you have no control over who accepts them. I have gotten some good deals, IMO, as it lets you designate the amount you're willing to pay for an item. The majority of the deals I've gotten there (probably 50+), have completed without a hitch.

In this case, I e-mailed the seller immediately after he accepted my pre-order and asked if he would please use Delivery Confirmation, because the previous order had been 'lost'. He replied immediately and said "sure, no problem, I use it all the time on my orders" -- the very next day he was NARU.

I am just concerned this may be a growing scam there ... obviously, if this person filled 16 orders, and if they don't arrive, I won't be the only one.

Melissa

Yeah, this happened to me a couple of times early last year. After the second instance, I just went ahead and cancelled any pre-orders that I had listed. It seems it is much too easy to abuse the system and "fill" lots of preorders that you have no intention of completing, thus getting a big payoff and then disappearing.

AFAIK it is against the rules for a Half.com seller to "sell" an item they don't have.

No way, really? :P