Your advice on an ebay 'scam'

[Oneeyedvic]

I recently purchased some tickets for a West End show on ebay. The tickets seemed to be genuine, however when we got to the theatre, although we were allowed in, there were people sitting in 'our' seats. The manager had already been called as there was another couple in the same predicament.

It turned out that the tickets that I had purchased were actually sent out to a wrong address and subsequently cancelled.

Luckily, the money hadn't been collected via Paypal so I was able to cancel the payment. In fact, I wasn't out of pocket since the manager let us have a student discount rate, and I actually ended up paying less for better tickets (so all's well that ends well).

However, I am not in a quandary. I have emailed the seller explaining what has happened and asking for her explanation. I haven't received a response yet.

If I get no response, should I notify the police, notify ebay or what?

I will (obviously) leave her negative feedback.

Your thoughts appreciated.

[podger123]

You MUST inform the Police and your local trading standards dept. because it's fraud I believe ebay have an address where you can report rogue traders but I've never been in that predicament and have never had a bad experience.
Good Luck

[WoWo]

Doubt the police will be interested (but they should be). However I would use the threat to see if you get a response, send another email saying that while this may be a genuine mistake on their part they need to respond within x number of days other wise you will be contacting the police to take it further.

I'd notify e-bay but would doubt they will do much either.

[China Doll]

I'd notify ebay myself. I've always been quite lucky with this sort of thing (mind you, I mainly buy shoes, but I digress) but I don't think negative feedback is enough. Maybe give them a certain amount of days to respond to your email and then let ebay know. I suppose it's possible it could be a genuine mistake.

[chongalolo]

Same thing happened to me a couple of years ago. I was so angry that I sat during the first half of the show fuming and plotting my revenge. When I contacted the seller she not only refunded my payment but offered to pay for our train fares to London. I had a very apologetic card with a cheque within a week. I think she had also been scammed as she had very good feedback and seemed genuinely sorry. Report it to ebay and then put it down to experience!

[Oneeyedvic]

Cheers good people - have emailed her asking for an explanation and am awaiting a response.