~20k of goods not delivered in 5 months, what to do?

[xera]

Hi all

A friend and I made an order with a local online shop 5 months ago, for almost R20k, and the guy hasn't delivered the goods or given us a refund in 5 months.

His story is that customs seized the goods as his import license was revoked, due to a partner leaving his business or some other story.
What's even more worrying, is that he closed down his facebook group, saying he was going to try out some new business venture, and also his website (amoungst others) was hacked on the new year by the brazillian team, and he still hasn't put his website back online since.

My question is, what can we do to get our money back? How can the CPA laws help us? I would like to get this money back ASAP, before something even worse happens. Please help.

 

[Rickster]

Name and shame the company...

 

[xrapidx]

ouch... name and shame, open a case of fraud... go to your bank... 5 months is a bit long to have left it.

 

[xrapidx]

ps... after 5 months, the guy is BSing you... he has no intention of giving the money back.

 

[Avenue]

At this stage your only option may be to get hold of a lawyer.

 

[etwylite]

if you paid by credit card, do a chargeback, but hurry has to be within 6 months of purchase

 

[Velenoso]

Unless you paid by CC, kiss that money goodbye.

 

[Creag]

Definitely name and shame. No one else here wants to be stung or have dealing with someone of this nature.

 

[xera]

ps... after 5 months, the guy is BSing you... he has no intention of giving the money back.

Well the guy was doing legit business before things turned bad, so I don't think that's quite the case.

if you paid by credit card, do a chargeback, but hurry has to be within 6 months of purchase

Nope, afraid not, EFT.

 

[xrapidx]

Well the guy was doing legit business before things turned bad, so I don't think that's quite the case.



Nope, afraid not, EFT.

I'd say you're rather naive if you still believe that after 5 months

 

[ChilliGirl]

This thread reminds me of....

Cannot remember the guy's name, there was at least one thread where a few people were mad at him...

 

[Velenoso]

I'd say you're rather naive if you still believe that after 5 months

+1. Money is gone.

 

[lived666]

+1. Money is gone.

yup
You are being strung along.
I doubt customs revoked his import license, customs wouldn't give a **** about his business partner leaving.

The goods may have been stopped, customs would first stop the shipment if there is something that needs to be checked, maybe he was under declaring the value or something and even then they give you an option of paying a fine, before so called seizing.

Customs are not monsters, actually fairly approachable, though they due follow guilty until proven innocent, but if you want to semi play along with his story, ask him for the waybill info, the courier company, who at the courier is dealing with stopped goods and tell him you will approach customs direct if need be, they have a big building next to OR Tambo, easy enough to walk in and query his story.

I suggest open a case of theft as well if any of the above is proven to be BS. Most couriers won't hold onto goods for 5 months so the chance of them being in some warehouse, about 0.

Small claims courts also is a way to get partial recovery and as there are no lawyers involved and wont cost you anything, though most people just give up when been taken for a ride, which is probably want he is banking on.

 

[ponder]

I'd say you're rather naive if you still believe that after 5 months

+1 Cannot understand how someone patiently takes this for 5 months.

 

[xera]

Thanks everyone for all the replies.

The reason we have been waiting so long, is because the goods are shipped from Canada, via USA, then here. The first time they sent them, apparently they marked the manifest with a flagged word, so it had to be sent back.
I guess we should have asked for refund right then?

I did ask to see the waybill awhile ago, but he said they don't show it due to problems from customers in the past. But I agree it would be very reassuring to see this, especially now, since his business is closing down, why would it matter anymore?

Thanks for info about small claims.

Nobody has mentioned CPA, is there nothing useful there?

I don't think I am being naive, maybe just a bit too optimistic.
I will definitely "name and shame" if we don't get our money back.

 

[Zenbaas]

You have left it way too long. This may end up being a very expensive lesson for you... School fees.

 

[xera]

You have left it way too long. This may end up being a very expensive lesson for you... School fees.

Lol. I will try to laugh now, and cry later.

 

[Zenbaas]

Lol. I will try to laugh now, and cry later.

Just do as the others have said and get on it pronto.

 

[Fudzy]

The reason we have been waiting so long, is because the goods are shipped from Canada, via USA, then here. The first time they sent them, apparently they marked the manifest with a flagged word, so it had to be sent back.

What were you bringing in?

 

[lived666]

What the hell is a flagged word, really? Unless the product description was cocaine, drugs to be used for recreational use, not for resell otherwise sounds like your chain was being yanked.

Shipments from Canada don't really add on much time, at the most a week