Another RFDer gone bad? Coastal Neophyte

Mar 1 Update: After no response from seller for 8 days I can only assume I am being scammed.

Seller: Coastal Neophyte
RFD Profile: /forums/members/coastal_neophyte-19535/
Heatware username: coal_nete
Heatware email: coal_nete@hotmail.com (originally provided by seller)
Current Heatware email: fbo@myway.com (changed to this email AFTER the transaction occured)
Heatware Link: http://www.heatware.com/eval.php?id=37040
EMT Email: mcsyarkawi@msn.com

Videocard in question: BFG 6800oc AGP (http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/s...d.php?t=408703)

The short version

Bought video card from a fellow RFDer, card doesn't work, no contact from seller for 8 days since I notified him (as of today, Mar 1).


The disgustingly long version

I've been looking for a moderate AGP video card for a week or so and came across a post selling an AGP card I was interested in (he also listed a motherboard). I pm'd the seller, letting him know I was interested provided there were no issues with card and he could supply heatware. I offered to pay the asking price as it was a very reasonable (maybe too much so?) and I followed up within an hour or so offering to take both the AGP card AND the motherboard at his asking price. I needed to settle a deal for a card in a timely fashion and figured offering to take both items would help to ensure I'd get the card and would save the seller some hassle of trying to sell both items.

The seller accepted my offer and after requesting his Heatware for a second time I was provided with an email address for his Heatware and an email address for the EMT. I checked out the Heatware and with nearly 30 positive feedbacks over ~2yrs I was satisfied. I sent off the EMT, provided the security answer, and my shipping info.

As discussed, the items were shipped out on Monday with full tracking provided later in the day. I received everything Thursday, for the most part the items were reasonably packed (a little looser then I would have done but definitely acceptable) and an effort was made to include a variety of accessories with both items (some of the original discs with the card, some cables and the backplate for the mobo which we hadn't discussed as it wasn't an issue for me).

The video card was the important item for me as it was going into a sytem I was building for a a co-wroker of mine. The card was installed into the system but when I powered the system up, I had nothing but artifacting across the screen (right at the POST screen), everything was completely garbled (the system itself was completely stable and had no issues whatsoever). I quickly powered down, double checked to ensure everything was alright but the problem persisted. I tested the card out in two different mobos (including the one I purchased from the seller) with 3 different PSUs all rated higher than called for by the manufacturer... all results were the same, horrendous artifacting right from the POST screen to a full load of the OS (both Linux and XP).

I sent a PM to the seller after fully testing the card to let him know there was a problem and if he could please get a hold of me, it's now been two days and the PM is unread. I sent an email to both acounts provided to me (heatware and EMT) and have not received a reply, that was 24+ hours ago.

In short, I'm in limbo. I do realize that 2 days isn't that long and hence my reasoning as to not provide the sellers information in this thread. I'm concerned though because I went to double check his heatware and now I find that the email address provided to me no longer brings up his heatware account. Also his last activity on RFD corresponds to the same day that the tracking info showed that the items were out for delivery by CP.

My other concern is the nature of the problem with the card. Since I've kept track (only for the last two years), I've built over 50 systems, repaired dozens more and spent an enormous amount on computer equipment. I've only seen this kind of problem with graphics cards that have overheated to the point of permanently damaging the GPU (failed cooling fans or getting carried away with oc'ing). It is of course possible that some kind of damage was incurred during shipping but it would be a first for me. Anyone else have experience with this kind of artifacting?

I'm torn that I'm being concerned needlessly as everything about the deal with this individual was flawless up until I actually tested the video card. There was good communication, Heatware checked out, the items were shipped in a timely fashion and a tracking number was provided. I mean, if you're gonna scam somebody.... why send anything at all once you have the EMT??

Anyone have any advice at this time? I realize it has only been 48+ hours since I've notified the seller of the problem, so for certain a little more time is in order. What's an acceptable timeline for a response? The card has a lifetime warranty for the original owner with the original receipt so I can't go and claim that from the manufacturer (no receipt was provided and I have no clue on the history of the card).

Reading your message was painful... too long, but I guess you needed to explain the circumstances. My advice would be to get the guys phone number and chat him down as to your expertise in these matters and convince him that this is one of the cases in which you both lost and if he was the original purchaser he should be able to get satisfaction from the manufacturer and please refund the purchase price (eat the shipping costs). If he's honourable he will comply with your request after suggesting you check the pins/socket/pwr for dirt and misc issues.

OTH: If this is a well consorted effort to fleece you out of... ~$50 then getting to the bottom is pointless. He's laid the trap well, and DOA is the issue with internet sales. I recently read about a DOA in reverse, the guy shipped a good card and after the DOA was claimed to ebay, a diff rev card was returned.

Protesting, messages and warnings do some good... As a rule I will not buy anything outside an area in which I can drive in a day and extract my pound of flesh. Why buy used when RFD's offers new goods at prices that best used deals in a lot of cases... it only takes a few bad apples to make RF my shopping choice.

wait until AFTER the weekend..
give it 1 BUSINESS day...

so Tues, you can go all out if no responses.

Thanks ah802, I was a little wordy wasn't I? Added the one line short version for ease of reading.

sidshock: Only one business day? I was thinking like a week, I don't want to falsely accuse anyone of wrong doing if there's a perfectly reasonable explanation that I'm simply unaware of.

unless he is on vacation, there is NO reason why he cannot give you SOME response within 2 business days MAX!
as for the refund/ cash exchange, yes, 1 week.
But I meant by Tues. you should have spoken to him by then, and made arrangements to ship the card back.
I usually checkup even after I ship something and ask, is everything good, did you get your stuff, I hope you're happy, etc...
ofcourse, I am not saying he is a scammer... I am saying within 1-2 business days, there is no reason to not get a hold of him, unless vacation, etc....
btw: the heatware is suspicious, how his email is not linked to the heatware name any longer?

Thanks for the advice, I'll probably go longer than you're suggesting but only because the rush is off on my end now. I sacrificed one of my systems for my co-worker (ouch).

I have to admit the Heatware issue is what has me concerned more so than anything else. I wasn't aware you could change the email addy associated with your Heatware but I suppose it makes sense to be able to do so.

Still no word as of today...

you were scammed, just take actionrather than waiting. how much did you pay?

did u report this?

I haven't reported anything as of yet (I'm assuming it needs to be reported to a mod?). I'm still hoping.....

but it is starting to look like LeeBoA hit it on the head.

Well I guess after 8 days it's pretty clear what's going on...

told you.
2 business days is all it needs... no more..

ok, goto the Sticky links here, and start reporting to the proper fraud places.
also goto your local police station M-F 9-5pm and report a fraud claim with
all the info you got.
hope you got his address...
and they can do something..
try to get his number too and call...
btw: even if it is for $10, it is the principle.. report it!!!
also do not forget to leave him NEG Heatware with a link to here so people can
read the story when they see his feedback there!

I've dealt with Coastal_Neophyte before and I have his contact information (as of March 2005). If he does not contact you within a week ragz, PM me and I will give you his info.

Word of advice traders: keep a log of every trade you do. Collect addresses, phone numbers, emails, anything you can get your hands on every time you do a transaction. If or when a trader goes bad you may be able to help someone out.

Thanks Amourek,

I may take you up on that. I'd be curious to see if the contact information you have matches what I have.

Gotta agree with keeping logs, I have every PM that I've ever sent or received for every deal I've done. You just never know what might happen.

I'll probably give a bit more time before I start leaving neg. heatware, I've notified Coastal Neophyte of this thread via email and PM. I guess I'm still being optimistic that this can be worked out... I'd be happy with information about the card to be able to successfully RMA it to the manufacturer.

*sigh* what a waste of effort this is turning out to be...

I'll bump this one last time as a warning to others.

Negative heat has been left for Coastal Neophyte and I'm sure my own heatware will be ruined as a result.

I'm absolutely disgusted with this and this will be my last deal on RFD.

I've dealt with Coastal Neophyte before.. he seemed like a nice guy, but then again, that was all the way back in '05 I believe..