Have I been scammed by an RWI member? [ISSUE RESOLVED]

[Master Of The Universe]

[MOD EDIT TO ADD: THIS ISSUE WAS RESOLVED AND ITEM WAS DELIVERED, AS PROMISED.]

Ok gents, this is a bit long, so in advance apologies apply here, however it's needed for full disclosure and details. I'm looking for some advice or help. Either way I am currently in a state of complete and utter confusion. Read on and you'll see why.

So I strike a deal with 05tbowner (well established and with current 100% positive feedback, not to mention active up until 01-21-2012 on the RWI boards) for a vintage and original Panerai X Mas plaque he had listed approximately around 01-10-2012, deal struck at $80 USD.
As soon as I saw the sale, I verified the threads sale and all properly dated RWI requested sales tags were current, legit and there. I checked his feedback (currently stating 100% positive, and he has had positive posts with others commenting as well, so he shows established and a standing and contributing member of our community) and proceeded to PM him with "I'll take this".
He replied, provided me his Paypal addy, and off we went. Payment sent. He replies later that he has also sent the plaque out. So at this point all seems fine.

SIDE NOTE: When I originally sent payment via Paypal, there was a slight hick-up with Paypal's security placing the payment on a "temp hold" status on the receiving end (05tbowners end) due to a stated "random security check" on Paypal's part. Not my first time for this as once I made a mistake of logging on to my Paypal from my VPN account by accident (against Paypal's policy) but I had cleared that, and this was not the case with our current transaction. So it was clearly a random check.
05tbowner stated no big deal he'll wait for the investigation to take it's course, and he stated that he sent the plaque out anyway. Reminder., this all took place on 01-10-2012. I have/had been in PM contact with him over the course of roughly the last 10 day with updates and questions whether he had received the payment finally, his reply was not yet (verified my PP account still showed a hold) I sent PP a message and asked that payment be released. So I check the status yesterday, and sure enough, PP released it. So all seemed clear.

BACK ON TRACK NOW: So I PM'd (or attempted to) 05tbowner yesterday with my status update and inquire if all is solid on his end. However, when I submitted the PM, I get an RWI message that states this RWI member is not accepting PM's. So I thought strange. But then I notice now under his user name, it states not to buy or sell from him.
WOW! I think, WTF is going on now?!

It gets better, now, I go looking for his original for sale post of the Panerai "X Mas" plaque, and it is literally nowhere to be found. NOWHERE! As if it was never created and or existed in the first place. SUPER WOW NOW! WTF!

So, MODS or fellow RWI members, please advise me. Should I start a PP dispute now?
With 05tbowners prior history, last log in was 01-21-2012, and his 100% feedback, I'm not one to call him out as a scammer just yet. However, I do want to gain back my funds soon should this turn sour quick, which it appears is on that path now.

What the hell am I missing here? Where is this original sales post? I know for a fact it really did exist. I'm no NooB to online buying, especially here so I am well aware of the ability to do my research before sending payments. Heck, even his PP account was a verified account.
Did his RWI account and or his PP account get hijacked or something?

Any advice or help is much appreciated.

Again, not calling this RWI member a scammer just yet, but someone please turn me on to any information I am missing. The whole sale thread completely missing is my biggest issue now , cause I have literally no proof that I purchased this. If a MOD or the Col, can find a cached copy of that, please help me out.

Thank you in advance for anyone's help, and time.

On another note, I have already PM'd the Col. Simply awaiting a reply if any.

 

[boneyjr]

Yikes... Good luck.

 

[vpx]

He is unable to receive PM's because he is no-sale'd. He posted a statement about it earlier today, probably other concerned people who did not receive their stuff complained about him.

I'm still here. I had some problems with the post office shipping a few items I had sold on here, and because of it, I was no saled, I'm guessing. Everything has been reshipped that was returned to me, but I understand why the mods would be concerned. I just want everyone to know that I'm not a crook, and I hate that's how it looks.

 

[Master Of The Universe]

Any link to where that has been posted? I had searched for any threads started by him or by him in general and had not found that.

Not to mention, where the heck is the original for sale thread he posted for the item I bought? Am I in the darn Twilight Zone or something?

Thanks in advance.

He is unable to receive PM's because he is no-sale'd. He posted a statement about it earlier today, probably other concerned people who did not receive their stuff complained about him.

 

[vpx]

Any link to where that has been posted

http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/showpost.php?p=923080&postcount=8

The sale thread was probably moved into a private mod/admin only forum for archival purposes.

 

[Master Of The Universe]

http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/showpost.php?p=923080&postcount=8

The sale thread was probably moved into a private mod/admin only forum for archival purposes.

Great! Thanks for that link. But strange enough, why is it that this doesn't show for those that are looking into his most current posts? And I understand the MODS archiving the posts, but for crying out loud, keep it public. This crap is driving me bat ish crazy cause I'm thinking "what the fack is going on here", I know I haven't lost my mind.
That for sale post really needs to be put back into circulation for everyone's ability to recall, research, or simply prevent themselves from losing sleep as I have trying to figure out WTF is going on! Lock the thread, but getting rid of it or hide it, isn't cool!
Ish isn't funny MODS, if you're reading this!

Ninja, note, I now am seeing the newest list of posts with others having a similar issue. What I was reading earlier I wasn't able to see. Strange. Thanks for the link again.

 

[vpx]

but for crying out loud, keep it public.

This is something you will have to take up with the administration, not me.

 

[J.Prime]

I'll vouch for him. Hopefully it was a simple postal issue but he has purchased several straps from me, some custom work and has even sent me leather to work with in the past. Never a problem. Good luck sorting this out!!

 

[JamDot]

I have dealt with this guy and I;m surprised to hear this.
Hopefully it works out...GL

 

[Master Of The Universe]

This is something you will have to take up with the administration, not me.

I am aware of that. Wasn't expecting you to solve anything. Thanks for the initial help.

As for other statements about the rep of 05tbowner, I am of the same opinion. I think he just had a hick-up with some shipping or something. Like I stated, not out to call him a scammer yet. I am just as surprised of this as anyone else would be considering his flawless sales/transactions/community rep as of now.

Hope this gets sorted out.

 

[ThinkBachs]

PayPal dispute- no question.

I have a sneaky suspicion that someone removed the thread regarding the issue in anticipation of your doing this. My feeling is that they did this so that the thread could not be submitted to PayPal as evidence of the transaction, thereby drawing attention to the forum. I wouldn't say that this goes as far as making them partners in crime, but it does come across as a concern, especially since you asked them for help- and now the thread is gone.

On the other hand, I'm sure there's some amazing reason that I'm being overly suspicious and by some amazing fluke of software auto-correct, it suddenly pops back up.

He was browsing HomageForum.com yesterday though, so I've fairly sure he's not dead...

 

[Master Of The Universe]

PayPal dispute- no question.

I have a sneaky suspicion that someone removed the thread regarding the issue in anticipation of your doing this. My feeling is that they did this so that the thread could not be submitted to PayPal as evidence of the transaction, thereby drawing attention to the forum. I wouldn't say that this goes as far as making them partners in crime, but it does come across as a concern, especially since you asked them for help- and now the thread is gone.

On the other hand, I'm sure there's some amazing reason that I'm being overly suspicious and by some amazing fluke of software auto-correct, it suddenly pops back up.

He was browsing HomageForum.com yesterday though, so I've fairly sure he's not dead...

I do see your point. However, the thread was removed prior to me asking for help from anyone (which is why I asked for help in the first place in addition to my confusion and going crazy trying to figure out where the sales thread went) and is the only one removed or moved to an ultra secret bunker with relation to the sale I purchased from.
It was gone long before I posted this. As it appears, I am not the only one who's had any PM issues with 05tbowner recently considering his replies to similar concerns from other members. And as he had stated, he had a shipping mishap so I can't see why none of his other sales threads have not been removed. Why only mine? (not expecting an answer from you)

On another note, I wouldn't mention this RWI forum to PP with a dispute any way, I like it here and do like using my PP account.

 

[ThinkBachs]

Odd. Now I feel a little stupid...

 

[Master Of The Universe]

Odd. Now I feel a little stupid...

Hahaha, no worries. Don't sweat it! Imagine knowing you bought something, however, you're unable to recall or locate the place you bought it from even though you bought it just days before. Yeah, that's how I felt.

 

[trksh-bzr]

PayPal dispute- no question.

I have a sneaky suspicion that someone removed the thread regarding the issue in anticipation of your doing this. My feeling is that they did this so that the thread could not be submitted to PayPal as evidence of the transaction, thereby drawing attention to the forum. I wouldn't say that this goes as far as making them partners in crime, but it does come across as a concern, especially since you asked them for help- and now the thread is gone.

On the other hand, I'm sure there's some amazing reason that I'm being overly suspicious and by some amazing fluke of software auto-correct, it suddenly pops back up.

He was browsing HomageForum.com yesterday though, so I've fairly sure he's not dead...

:facepalm:

there has been an issue already that staff has been investigating. that is not the same as saying that he is a scammer at all.

when the staff finds reason to "no sale" a member, it is to prevent "further damage" untill an existing issue is resolved. the most natural thing would then be to make his open and current sales invisible.
perhaps the sale we are discussing has never been announced sold, and therefore staff have found it nessecary to move it out of the way.

please guys, we already have several mods on this case, I'm not gonna make myself look like I'm at the rutter of this, just want to post a little hint of how things work before anyone starts making up theorys of staffs actions.....oohh, too late


Master Ofthe Universe. I'm glad you contacted staff already by PM, take a deep breath before you do anything drastical. -you'll get a responce soon enough.

 

[Master Of The Universe]

:facepalm:

Master Ofthe Universe. I'm glad you contacted staff already by PM, take a deep breath before you do anything drastical. -you'll get a responce soon enough.

I have good sir. Well, after it was pointed out that 05tbowner at least responded to other concerns with PM issues in another thread that I orginally wasn't able to see for what ever reason. I am being an adult about this and trusting him to come through with resolutions for any mishaps there may have been with others. I'm going to refrain from any drastic measures for the time being, as I am understanding, ish happens sometimes, and it may come off the wrong way.

So with that being said, I am a little at comfort knowing that he at least appears to have been checked and that he also appears to be in the process of trying to resolve some issues.

I will keep this thread posted when and if I get my paid for item (which should be within the week). I look forward to any updates from others as well, or even mods please.

 

[05tbowner]

I'm still alive guys! Mods, can I post my personal Email address on here so I can still be in contact with the members I have been working with? I'm not a scammer, and I have no intention on scamming anyone. Please let me know if I can post my personal email address in this thread mods, because I don't want to get banned or anything for doing so.

 

[ahw676]

I'm still alive guys! Mods, can I post my personal Email address on here so I can still be in contact with the members I have been working with? I'm not a scammer, and I have no intention on scamming anyone. Please let me know if I can post my personal email address in this thread mods, because I don't want to get banned or anything for doing so.

To my knowledge, it is not against the rules for you to post your own personal email address here.

However, as a moderator, I have to reiterate the warning to the membership that it may be risky to make any sales transactions with this member at this time.

 

[ahw676]

I have a sneaky suspicion that someone removed the thread regarding the issue in anticipation of your doing this. My feeling is that they did this so that the thread could not be submitted to PayPal as evidence of the transaction, thereby drawing attention to the forum. I wouldn't say that this goes as far as making them partners in crime, but it does come across as a concern, especially since you asked them for help- and now the thread is gone.

Wow. You'd better be kidding, TB, but if you are, it's not particularly funny.

I moved the thread myself, and I can assure you that this is the last reason why I would even consider such a thing.

Master of the Universe, I'll contact you by PM.

 

[jesseharmon81]

OP - don't you have his email from the PP addy?