ebay & paid by Bank Transfer

Was it bought from someone in the UK?

yep

the money will be in their bank but afaik there is no way u can get the money back (which is one of the reasons why i accept it as a payment so i dont get dodgy cheques and paypal accounts)

What date did you pay? What method of delivery would have been used to post it?

Let's say you transferred it late on Christmas Eve. It could probably take 3-4 working days to arrive in his account, so that would mean he would it could hit his account by the 4th/5th Jan, although in my case if the item is going to clear on a Monday, I can see it as cleared for the next working day on the preceding Saturday

Also, what were the first 2 digits of his sortcode. Transfers to some of the older building societies may take longer.

What is his feedback like?

He may not have access to internet banking to check whether the money has arrived, and may still be on holiday

Police will not care and small claims court will cost you more than 25 (in time even if your costs are refunded).

I don't think the prognosis is good. This is one of the payment methods that eBay discourages precisely for this reason and it's the reason why PayPal Buyer Protection exists. You're [somewhat] safer paying by PayPal (although it's debatable how much safer) You should be suspicious of anyone asking for payment by this means. I don't mean to say they are all crooks, by any means, but it's probably safer to avoid anyone asking for payment exclusively by this method.

I guess you must have his bank details. Might be worth writing to his bank. However I suspect that the burden of proof is not on your side. If he claims he sent the goods, it may be down to you to prove you

Jeremy

how do you work that out?

Defendant can apply to have case listed at *his* local county court. That could mean travelling many miles to attend a case over 25 quid. I doubt that travel costs will be refunded unless defendant's conduct of the case has got up the judge's nose.

Refund of travel costs to the winner is usual. It's about the only expense that you normally get.

tim

I guess you must have his bank details. Might be worth writing to his bank. However I suspect that the burden of proof is not on your side. If he claims he sent the goods, it may be down to you to prove you

Actually it's up to the seller to prove that he sent them, and he can do this easily with a recorded delivery slip or a certificate of posting which can be had free from the post office. I sent something recorded once and seller said it didn't turn up. Had lost the tracking number, so I had no option but to refund him. Not too much of a problem really, it was one of a bunch of items I'd got for less than 1 total but sold for 7 individually.

At least you have his bank details so he can be traced, do you have his name and address? You can get his listed contact details from eBay. Give him a ring. But it will only be 21 days since Christmas Eve this Friday, and a lot of those were bank/public holidays. If no joy after then, you could always ring his local police station and see what they think.

Marcus

Oops, I stand corrected

GB