Half-Life 2 eBay problem...what would YOU do?
 

Ok, so I sold a copy (not a copy-copy, I mean a legit retail copy of the game) of Half-Life 2 I received as a gift over a month ago on eBay. The reason I sold it was because I had previously purchased the game myself, and obviously had no need for another one.

So after hearing about people getting the game and finding no CD key, or missing CD's, I decided to open the box and check. All was accounted for. I noted in my auction "box was opened to verify contents" so the buyer knew ahead of time it wasn't sealed.

The item sells, along with the guide I added to the auction, and now, 2 days ago, I received an email from the winning bidder saying he can't get the CD key to work.

Keep in mind he had already emailed me after receiving the item, and thanked me, gave me positive feedback, etc.

So I asked him for more details, and he says he's filing a complaint with PayPal (which he did, but was denied since it was over 30 days ago) and he wants a full refund. I told him had he contacted me say within a week after receiving the game, I would have refunded his money, but after a month, it seems a bit fishy.

Here's his email:

You obviously think that you are talking to a fool on this end.

First, immediately after receiving the package it was obvious that it was a
'used' item. Either you purchased it used from somewhere and then realized
that it was useless because it was already registered or you registered it
and are now using it and sold me 5 worthless CD's. And as far as returning
the game I am returning it for a full refund from the place of
purchase....YOU !!!!!!


I do not take getting 'ripped off' very well...I will be pain in your ass
until this matter is closed.

--------------------------------------

I told him he could return it to the place of purchase, and they'd give him a working copy. I even offered him my Steam account since I don't play my copy anymore. He won't budge. I've been buying and selling on eBay for over 6 years, I'm not a cheat.

So any ideas? I'm starting to think he played and finished the game, and now wants his money back.

Bingo...Don't give this guy anything, and if he wants to make a stink, let him. It seems like everything was clearly stated in the auction and the guy is trying to pull one over on you.

I'll give you $5-10 for it if he sends it back to you. BTW given it's been over a month and he done left positive feedback I'd say ebay could care less, just block his emails.

Let him raise a stink. I think it is awfully suspicious that he left you positive feed back and then tried to file a complaint to paypal after the 30 day window. Anyway, there are steps that he can take to get that CD key reinstated/reissued if it is indeed being used.

What are the steps, I might just tell him to do so. I mean come on, he's not even listening to my suggestions. Definitely sounds like he's trying to pull one over on me.

This is the part of the thread where stevevt chimes in and makes sure you block him from being able to bid on your future auctions.

Sorry to hear about your eBay problem nickdawgy - it sounds as if you did everything right; and this guy is now trying to pull one over on you.

I don't think you have any problems with eBay/Paypal - since:

• He was already denied a Paypal chargeback
• You did not misrepresent the item in your auction description
• He already left positive feedback!

I would simply block this buyer (if you haven't already), block his emails in Outlook (or whatever you use) and do not reply. Report his unwanted/offensive emails to [email protected] as well. If you happen to get any other messages that are more threatening, you can report those to eBay here: http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/...offensive.html

If he tries to return the package, do not open it, simply deny it from the courier, or return to sender. Let him worry about the shipping cost - although it's unlikely he'd spend $$$ out of his own pocket!

I don't see how he can cause any real problems for you. I doubt he would contact Square Trade over this...good luck! :)

Screw him. Its been over 30 days and now he decides to tell you that the cd key doesn't work? No way, he played it, beat it or became tired of it. Your auction stated you opened it to check the contents, so you should tell him to call to get a new cd key and be done with him.

Sounds like he's trying to get a free Steam account and cd-key at your expense.

Thanks for the advice, I'll keep that in mind. His story is just so full of water, it's laughable.

Exactly what I was thinking.

If he sends the original cdkey (or all the discs and cd-key, I can't rememeber) then Valve will issue him a new cd-key and invalidate the one that he has.

What's this guy's personal feedback like? Does he have a positive reputation on ebay and no negative feedbacks from other buyers/sellers?

<s>Yeah - any rule against posting his eBay id here? I'm always looking for candidates for my Bidder Block List...</s>

Actually - forget that - don't want to start any trouble.

He has like 900+ positives, and like 5 negatives. Here is his feedback to me:

Prompt/Smooth Transaction. Highly Recommended. AAA+++


He just sent me another email:

Yes, you have ripped me off.
Yes, I received the item, left positive feedback because I received
'something'...but,
Item was a Christmas gift,
Item was not installed until this weekend,
CD Key HAS been USED...by you, you ass hole!!!

Nick, 1 month, 3 months, 6
months from now I will always remember...watch you back.


Hank

Hank Szczepanski....my real name, a real person, someone who will not forget
this rip-off.

--------------------------------------------------

I just emailed him back, and warned him if he continues the threats, I'll report him. Should I even bother telling him that Steam can replace the CD key? He has really pissed me off.

Yeah tell him that. You can use that as additional evidence if the matter is ever taken further.

I would simply cut off communication, report the emails (to eBay and his ISP - they're threatening and contain vulgar language) and just try to forget about it. Getting into a pissing match with this guy through email is ultimately pointless, especially since there's nothing he can really do about the situation...

(but remember nick, WATCH YOU BACK ASS HOLE!) :lol:

this guy sounds like an ass. he wants a refund because the cd key supposadly won't work, but you have offered him a working key (your steam account) and he still wants a refund? this is definately a rip-off.

I would send him one last email and repeat the fact that he can get a new key from Valve or return the game to the store. I would make it clear that you suspect that he is trying to get a free steam account. He may think he is running a clever grift, but once you call him out I suspect that he may slink away.

I would give him the benefit of the doubt that there really is a problem, but be firm in stating that there are, and never will be, any refunds.

LMAO whata loser that guy is!! "Yes, you have ripped me off.
Yes, I received the item, left positive feedback because I received
'something'...but,
Item was a Christmas gift,
Item was not installed until this weekend,
CD Key HAS been USED...by you, you ass hole!!!

Nick, 1 month, 3 months, 6
months from now I will always remember...watch you back.


Hank

Hank Szczepanski....my real name, a real person, someone who will not forget
this rip-off."

Interesting story. What is this guys feedback rating? If he pulled this before, someone must have noted it. If you haven't already, leave him a negative feedback.

I would forward this Email to Ebay then threaten to call his local Police Dept if he does not cease contact right now. This Email could probably get him in a little trouble. Sounds like a Jerk....

Be Strong were with you....lol...Travis

Just a few comments...

1. If that is his real name (Hank Szc- zepanski), break it up or something (like I did) so that a google search won't bring up this thread.

2. As stated before, obviously add him to your blocked bidders list.

3. Any chance that the key could have been hacked and somebody else really could have used it?

4. If you knew what the key was, any chance of telling when it was used? (thus you could either shoot holes in this guy's story, or realize that somebody had guessed the code two months ago or something).

5. When he used Paypal, he didn't use a credit card, right?

6. Don't respond to anything else he sends.

the idiot is probably entering the key wrong...if u look at the cdkey on your sleeve of HL2, it has 5 sets of 5 letters/numbers. then, the next line underneath continues with a bunch more random numbers/letters...then says HALFLIFE 2. I accidentally put all the stuff on the second line (before the halflife 2 part) my first install and it said invalid cdkey.

More info from the buyer, he now filed a claim with eBay. Here is what he said:

Actual Description of item
received: Box opened, obviously 'used' item. CD Key is used and registered by someone else making
this game unusable/worthless. Game was purchased as a Christmas gift, not installed on my son's
computer until early January when this fraud was discovered.

I responded with this:

You left me positive feedback, thanked me for the prompt shipping, and then a month later, you say I
am ripping you off. You send me emails with threats, and insults. No refund for you, I believe you
are the one ripping me off. Perhaps you finished the game, and now want a refund. I have told you
that you can send the game to Valve/Steam, and they will replace it with a working one free of charge.