Curses! Ripped off!

Sput · Sun 14 May, 2006 22.03

Just wondering if anyone can offer a word of advice on whether I have any options! A month and a half ago I responded to an ad in a popular musical magazine for some musical stuff, e-mailed the guy and we had a bit of back-and-forth deciding how to sort it out, in the end I wound up sending him money (cash, yes, now i regret it!) registered mail and, guess what! Nothing ever arrived up here at sput towers!

I've e-mailed him a few times, and the first couple (a few weeks apart) he responded apologetically, but now it's all gone quiet.

So, anything I can do or do I bid goodbye to £125? All I have in the way of existence is his e-mail address, the electronic delivery signature for the money and the e-mails.

johnnyboy · Sun 14 May, 2006 22.24

The only thing I could think to do in that situation is to threaten to report him to the Fuzz.

If he still doesn't respond, go ahead and do it.

The big problem might be the cash thing - could you prove you sent cash in the envelope? Possibly yes, if the emails you got from him mentioned that he received it.

Gavin Scott · Sun 14 May, 2006 22.33

The evidence you already have would probably be sufficient in the eyes of a small claims court. You will need to have the header information of the emails. A signed contract before payment would have been worth a couple of stamps, but I expect you know that now.

I would send a final communication by registered post and email giving him fair notice that if he cannot return your money within 7 days, you will have no option but to seek action against him.

You don't have many other options available, short of putting it in the hands of a collections agency. They presumably would take a percentage or fee for their trouble.

Sput · Sun 14 May, 2006 22.38

Impressively I do have an e-mail where he thanks me for the payment after he *finally* collected it, and the e-mails are all stored on the university webmail server. Who'd have thunk it was good for something?

So, roughly speaking, how might I go about either of these suggestions?

I had a feeling this plea might bring out the wisdom of the metropol elite! Glad to see it's still watching!

Gavin Scott · Sun 14 May, 2006 23.20

http://www.bbc.co.uk/crime/law/smallclaimscourt.shtml

Sput · Mon 15 May, 2006 11.07

Ta gav. In recognition of your fabness I'm going to tip my hat to you, but as I don't have one I'm going to have to go for the next best thing.

Any suggestions?

Bail · Mon 15 May, 2006 12.39

To be honest just the threat of you taking him to court will probally make him a) give the money back b) send what you wanted

And if not, as you've got proof from him saying he recived the money, and you've not recived your goods you'd win hands down.

Sput · Mon 15 May, 2006 12.41

That's my hope! I sent him a letter last week giving him until wednesday to sort it out, and if it that doesn't happen I'll be going down the scary path.

Gavin Scott · Mon 15 May, 2006 13.58

Sput wrote:Ta gav. In recognition of your fabness I'm going to tip my hat to you, but as I don't have one I'm going to have to go for the next best thing.

Any suggestions?

You're more than welcome.

Right now I could happily tip a bottle of spirits down my throat. I've got a very painful gum infection.

Woe is me.

Gavin Scott · Mon 15 May, 2006 20.59

Blimey, I didn't think antibiotics could work that fast.

My pain has gone, and I will get a good night's sleep.

Hooray etc.

Sput · Mon 15 May, 2006 21.12

Gavin Scott wrote:Blimey, I didn't think antibiotics could work that fast.

My pain has gone, and I will get a good night's sleep.

Hooray etc.

I added white spirit to them. You did ask for spirits!

I've looked into the claims procedure now and it seems fab, you can even do it online if it goes smoothly, though I'm gonna go all the way next door to the solicitors tomorrow and make sure I'm not wasting my time, just in case.