My Ordeal with eBay

Everyone knows eBay, the online auction site and marketplace. It's a tremendous outlet for all kinds of items from the unique to the mainstream and of any era, worldwide. It's also a great way to sell stuff; where else can you have access to buyers from around the globe? I've sold many items in the past on eBay from clothing to toys to electronics. Historically these sales have gone fairly seamlessly, but this latest experience was not the case.

Since I've had experience selling items on eBay, a friend asked me if I could assist him with selling a couple of old iPhones he had lying around. Sure, no problem! I listed them in much the same way I had in the past and after some best offers and counter offers, the buyer and I agreed on a price and the sale was made. They paid quickly via PayPal and I shipped it out right away. Per the USPS, they received the phone a few days later. Another successful transaction, or so I thought.

A couple of days later I got an email from the buyer indicating that the phone would not turn on. Strange, I thought, since I personally reset the phone and charged it before shipping it out. I wrote back and inquired if the box was damaged or showed signs if mishandling, he wrote back that it did not, and asked to return the phone in return for his money back. I didn't want to tarnish my perfect feedback rating with a negative review, so I agreed I would. In addition to our communication, the buyer opened a case with PayPal, requesting a refund. I accepted the request under the condition that the phone be returned.

A day or so later, I received an email from PayPal with a tracking number for the return, and a few days later the tracking update showed that it was delivered to my mailbox, only when I went to the mailbox, there was no package of the size that I shipped the phone in. I figured it must have been mis-delivered and would show up in a day or two, it didn't. What did show up was an email from PayPal indicating that based on the info available, they have found in the favor of the buyer and refunded the money. I called PayPal to let them know I in fact did not receive the phone back, but received nothing at all. Again they pointed to the evidence of the USPS tracking number showing that it was delivered.

It was at that point that I remembered that a small package was delivered that day, and I dismissed it as something my wife ordered. When I checked the tracking number, sure enough, it matched the one the buyer had furnished. However this was not the iPhone, box, charger, cable, and case that I had sent him. What it was, was a clear plastic phone case.

What I sent:

What I got back:

It was at this point that the full breadth of the scheme became clear. The buyer used a dummy package and tracking to fool PayPal into giving him his money back, with great success. I was out the money and the goods. And what was I supposed to tell my friend who entrusted me with this transaction?

I notified PayPal of what had transpired since my last call. They offered me the option to appeal their decision. Yes, I'll do that!. After initiating the appeal process, they sent me an affidavit form to fill out and have notarized before returning, along with a detailed account of the situation. I completed their form, had it scanned and sent in. They said it would take up to 10 days to review, but to my surprise, a few days later I received a decision from PayPal that they reversed their original verdict and that the funds would then be credited back to my account.

So, in the end, outside of the time and frustration, I suffered no loss and PayPal stood behind me, the seller and long time customer. Likely the fraudulent buyer did a bunch of these transactions all at once, banked a bunch of funds, emptied their PayPal account and made off.

In spite of the fact that I didn't lose any money on the whole deal, it will certainly give me pause next time I need to sell something whether or not to use eBay. Clearly there is a flaw in the system that dishonest people are exploiting and until eBay can guarantee smooth transactions, it might not be my go-to method for selling things that it used to be. Next time I'll use Craigslist, there aren't any sneaky people on there, right?

The Myth of Bluetooth

Bluetooth is amazing! This magic technology allows devices to communicate with each other wirelessly over short distances. You can connect anything from headphones, to thermostats, to your refrigerator. At least...that what it's supposed to do.

My car is (supposedly) equipped with bluetooth connectivity, which allows me to pair my phone with the car's in dash audio system, allowing me access to my calls, texts and music. This is great because  it limits my interaction with my phone while driving, and keeping my eyes on the road. Even more so, since I live in a state where there is a hands free law, mandating that I don't use or look at my phone while driving. Fantastic!

On the day I bought my car, within minutes I was able to pair my phone with the car, share contacts, make calls, and stream music. It was amazing, a revelation from the old tape deck days. However, over time, the relationship between my phone and the car has deteriorated. When I start the car, I now run about a 40% chance that the two will hook up properly. Frequently, I am confronted with the screen below, requiring me to turn off the car, and restart it, hoping that the next attempt will be more successful.

I've tried a bunch of different types of therapy between the two (forgetting and reestablishing the link, apps on the phone to help bridge the connection, selecting the phone manually from the car's interface), but this pairing seems doomed.

My current car's lease is due up soon, I can only hope that the next car will have a system that will bring a relationship coach along for the ride.

Training Days

Recently I've had the occasion to commute to work via train rather than braving the traffic by driving in. I wasn't sure what to expect, since I hadn't commuted in this fashion before. I was surprised to find that it was not a terrible way to travel. It's relatively comfortable, usually on time, and I don't have all the frustrations and road rage from sitting behind the wheel. But, as with any mode of travel it has its weirdnesses and annoyances.

Firstly the train station is a microcosm of human behavior. The station I board at is fairly small with limited parking, so you have to get there early to get a space. The more hardcore of my fellow riders take this to an extreme, getting there way before the train is even close to arriving, only to sit in their cars for upwards of a half an hour waiting. And, in spite of the fact that there are signs clearly indicating 'No Idling', their engines hum away.

At the platform, there are a few locations where passengers can board the train. At each of these locations, a line forms. The early birds will step up to the boarding areas, and deposit a backpack, bag, lunch bag, or even a bottle to hold their position then return to their automotive pod to continue to spew exhaust into the atmosphere. Being the newbie that I am, I actually will get out of my car and stand in line, however, now I am standing in a line of bags, choking on fumes.

One day, as the train was pulling into station, and everyone retrieved their bags, bottles, etc. to actually form a human line, another fellow just stepped up to the front of the line and just boarded the train. We all looked at each other like, "did that just happen?" noone saying anything. It had momentarily upset the precarious societal balance of the platform, only to turn back to normal. I wonder if one of these mornings, he'll try it again and be torn limb from limb.

Finally, the time comes to board the train. Now comes the game of seat neighbor roulette. You look over all the people with empty seats beside them, evaluating if they will be good partners to spend the next hour plus with. Do you choose the fat lady sleeping? The guy with the laptop and headphones? Or the person reading a book? I am currently running about 50-50 in terms of picking good neighbors. I've people snoring, eating, drinking, even farting audibly.

But, of them all, I think my biggest pet peeve are the people that talk on the phone on the train. Full conversations, full volume, and no regard for anyone else around them. Even through my noise cancelling headphones, these idiots can be heard. I would never take a call on the train, I just don't have it in my personality to know I'm pissing off everyone around me. Not these folks. And, about 99% of the time, they same the same thing, "I'm on the train". Good for you, better tell the world!

Bottom line, whether its the idlers, the line cutters, or the loud talkers, the people can be the worst part of riding the rails. If only they could be 'trained'.