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Original poster

Please help me - I have been an idiot

58 replies

1legmummy · 07/06/2007 14:49

I cannot believe what an idiot I have been - I have sent £300.00 by Trade Western Union for a Bugaboo which I dont think I am going to receive.

I was promised delivery once money had been sent which I did this morning.

I have just heard from them saying that they have sent two by mistake and could I pay for the other one and that they would only charge £220.00

What the hell can I do? I am in tears about this. I feel sick to my stomach that I have been such a fool. Half of me is still hoping this is genuine.

Their advert is in Gumtree and looks good.

Has anyone any advice?

OP posts:
Original poster
1legmummy · 07/06/2007 17:02

Thanks for all your advice earlier - still no word from them and without a Company name I think I am stuck.

OP posts:
Original poster
1legmummy · 07/06/2007 21:24

Still no word from anyone - I have well and truely learnt my lesson!

OP posts:
NurseyJo · 07/06/2007 21:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

LilRedWG · 08/06/2007 08:29

Good luck with this 1leg!

kittylette · 08/06/2007 08:37

poor you

FoghornLeghorn · 08/06/2007 08:44

I had something simlar selling DH's mobile on ebay - turned out to be one of these scams but I only got suspicious when the bidding was ridiculously high.
I recieved an email supposedly from paypal to say that they had received the buyers funds but wouldn't clear them into my acocunt until I could give them a shipping number for item, the email had paypal address, logo's etc but I contacted paypal to double check and it was a complete fake.

Sorry, I know this isn't going to help but just wanted you to know that the confirmation from ebay may not be legit

Original poster
1legmummy · 08/06/2007 11:51

Unfortunately, Western Union do not act like Paypal.

I have written about twenty emails now in the vain hope that it was not all a scam but to no avail.

Does anyone know if I am covered by anything?

Emma

OP posts:
vimfuego · 08/06/2007 11:53

Unfortunately I think you have almost certainly been scammed.

The mail asking for £220 is just a last attempt to scam you even further.

Police matter now I think.

Original poster
1legmummy · 08/06/2007 12:08

I am still looking for a Bugaboo!!!!

I have found through trying a friend that it is perfect for me.

Has anyone got one they want to sell?

I live in Eastleigh

OP posts:
finefatmama · 08/06/2007 12:14

agree with vf.

I once bought and item from ebay only to be told after I paid by credit card thru nochex that the item was removed as it was a fake. ebay sent me an email stating that

  • they do not accept responsiblility for items bought outside of ebay. so if you ever click a link on the item page that takes you to another website, it's at your own risk.

  • they do not act as financial guarantors and do not hold money till items are delivered (this is common with cars, mobiles and computers)

  • be wary of sellers who ask for cash, postal orders or western union.

I tried to get my moneyback from nochex who said 'sorry, just go to the police'. So I called my bank and they used credit card ?chargeback to get my money back from nochex. They (and working lunch) have since taught me that I need my credit card for tranactions on the internet and with unfamiliar parties if only because of the protection.

I think it was once said that some banks have protection on debit cards so it's worth finding out what western union or your bank can do.

Lilymaid · 08/06/2007 12:14

So sorry that it seems you have been had. Trading Standards and the Police, I'm afraid.

lailasmum · 08/06/2007 12:18

The only thing that may be worth looking into is if the £300 was taken directly from a credit or debit card as you may get the money back from them. Was there a uk postal address on the invoice you paid? Unfortunately It sounds like if it was done by Western union then it has gone into a foreign bank account. You should also contact gumtree and let them know you think it is a scam.

Original poster
1legmummy · 08/06/2007 12:23

Thanks for all your advice, I have tried the Police and trading standards to no avail and I was an idiot to be stupid enough to pay by cash!!

I cant believe I have been such an idiot to do this. It was alot of money but I thought I was getting something I otherwise would not have been able to have

OP posts:
Original poster
1legmummy · 08/06/2007 12:52

Hi sorry its me again, I am sat crying AGAIN!! but relieved to finally know the truth and much, much wiser.

This was a big scam and there is nothing police, trading standards or the paper that advertised it can do

Thanks for all your help.

I will not be getting a pushchair now!

OP posts:
lailasmum · 08/06/2007 13:24

If this has left you totally pushcahir less then join your local freecycle and see if there is anything up for grabs there. May not be the pram of your dreams but half the time things never turn out to be ideal anyway. You can also place wanted ads on freecycle. probably wouldn't ask for a bugaboo in a wanted ad but maybe just ask if anyone has a pushcahir they no longer need and see if you are offered anything.

vimfuego · 08/06/2007 13:26

I am so sorry 1legmummy

allgonebellyup · 08/06/2007 14:01

sorry to hear that

some people are just ARSES arent they?

LIZS · 08/06/2007 14:11

can Western Union not trace the payment or Gumtree whoever placed the ad? You didn't send the second one demanded if I understood corretcly , did you ?

LilRedWG · 08/06/2007 14:31

So sorry it's all gone horribly wrong for you.

Original poster
1legmummy · 08/06/2007 14:43

Lailasmum I must sound like a spoilt brat wanting such an expensive pushchair. But as my name suggests I am an amputee, have a fixed left foot and fixed wrists.

I have had approx 7 pushchairs so far and my Son is only 6 months!!

I always said I would not look at the Bug but a friend has one and the brake on the handlebar sold it to me. Amonst other things - it stops my leg falling off when I go to take the brake off.

I feel alot better now, my Husband is not cross and has said to be careful but see if I can find something second hand. I will put a wanted up.

OP posts:
LilRedWobblyGut · 08/06/2007 14:44

Good luck in your search 1legmummy!

PeckaRolloverAgain · 08/06/2007 14:48

1legmummy Im so sorry for your experience.

BASTARDS

lailasmum · 08/06/2007 15:02

Hi wasn't having a go at you, you may find something good on there. I gave away my mamas and papas all terrain on my local freecycle a few months ago, it was nearly new but just not what I wanted, so you may get lucky. May also be worth looking on ebay but use paypal to pay if you do.

Original poster
1legmummy · 08/06/2007 15:22

I know you werent having a go but did want to explain - thanks I will try them and I also have a pushchair that is not suitable for someone else to have so some good will come of all this. x

OP posts:
helenhismadwife · 08/06/2007 21:58

so sorry to hear what has happened to you, the scammers are so clever its easy to believe them and there are so many unfortuantely I hope you manage to get something suitable.