Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with ripoff

Ethically-sourced sapphires and fair dealings.

Anonymous — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 06:12:34 -0800

Are certificates of origin for sapphires a scam? Is my jeweler going to overcharge me for a sapphire, and should I get one online instead of through him? I'm trying to get a custom sapphire engagement ring made. My beloved has picked out a ring from Brilliant Earth which she likes, both for the design (which I'm using for inspiration) and for their ethical origin materials. As far as I can tell, their claims for their sapphires are based on them coming from Sri Lanka, and Sri Lanka's strict worker-rights laws and ecological preservation practices.

I'm thinking that it's reasonable to conclude that "Ceylon" sapphires, from Sri Lanka, are about as ethically-sourced as it gets. I brought this up with a jeweler I'm working with, and he said he doubted his sapphire supplier could produce certificates of origin, and that the whole concept was more or less a ruse because you just can't trace a sapphire's origin in this market.

I'm also concerned about getting a fair price. For my price range of ~$500, he estimated that a round-cut mined sapphire would be around 0.75-1 carat. But online it looks like they're in the $200 range or cheaper, for larger Ceylon stones with the same cut and with a bright color (which is supposed to be more expensive).

Is the jeweler just shining me on because he can't get ethical sapphires? Is it rude or foolish at this point (he's already ordered some in for me to look at, which should be arriving soon) to tell him I'd like to buy one elsewhere (from a presumably non-scamming website) and bring it in to be set?

I'm aware of lab-created sapphires, and am pretty sure I don't want one. For private responses: mefiengagement@gmail.com (previously)

Disputing a locksmith's exorbitant charges?

fogster — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:21:50 -0800

Disputing a locksmith's exorbitant fees? I'm asking for a coworker, because I've been overhearing this saga for two weeks and vowed to get involved.

A coworker had her front door lock jam the other day. She had to climb in through a window, and discovered that the lock was jammed on the inside, too. She researched local locksmiths and went with a firm that says on their site that they'll match any competitor's offer. She called for a quote and was told that the locksmith would give a quote before beginning work.

Lo and behold, the locksmith just began work and told her not to worry about the estimate. He unscrewed part of the doorknob and used a hammer to unstick it, and then removed the defective doorknob and lock. He asked if she wanted him to put a new one on; she asked about price and was told that new doorknob was $300. Shocked at the price, she declined, and the guy billed her $200 (plus a reasonable service fee for coming out), effectively for banging her doorknob off with a hammer.

She paid, but was surprised at the cost, so she called competitors. Every competitor said they'd have done the whole job—including installing a new doorknob, and including the parts costs of that—for under $200. So she contacted the company, and has spent the past two weeks getting the runaround.

Part of the tricky part is that the services were rendered, and she did pay it, so trying to get the credit card company to reverse the charges seems unethical.

What other options are there? We can be vengeful and raise a big stink on online review sites and with various other groups like the Better Business Bureau, but she wants to get this resolved, not to try to harm them. Any ideas, hivemind?

A+++++++++ Best Question Evar Would Answer Again

iknowizbirfmark — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 08:27:17 -0800

What are the current best practices to make sure that you don't get ripped off on eBay as a seller, especially if you are getting paid by PayPal and/or selling to an international buyer? I'm selling a dozen or so relatively inexpensive items on eBay, but haven't really used it in years. So, I'm a little bit nervous about being ripped off in some way. I have looked here and here already.

Nothing is going to go for more than maybe $100 or so. I'm getting some interested buyers from overseas, places like Greece, Italy and Canada. I'm not averse to sending something to one of these buyers, but I want to make sure that I actually get paid. If I am getting paid via PayPal, what do I have to wait for until I know that the payment is legit? Should I just wait for the payment to show up, or should I wait for a certain period of time after that? Is there a way to be sure that I am not going to get ripped off? How are overseas PayPal payments handled, and is the systemic risk greater than using PayPal for domestic buyers? What do I have to be concerned about with domestic buyers on PayPal? Can they reverse the charge after I have sent the item?

My current plan is:

1. Accept PayPal payment
2. Send via UPS (cheapest possible), photograph stuff in box, send signature required, with insurance, and keep all the documentation.
3. Avoid getting ripped off
4. PROFIT! (at least compared to what this stuff is currently getting me)

Are there any other things that I need to do in 1 or 2 to make 3 happen?

brain sparks

diode — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:13:09 -0800

I recently ordered a product online, a free trial. They wanted my credit card info for the trial and in a fit of delusion I went ahead and requested the product without looking for the catch. The catch is a tiny 'Terms and Conditions' button checked by default where I agreed to a monthly shipment of their basically worthless product. Is there anything I can do about this? I originally got an email for a product called 'brainsparq'. Their main page is at http://www.brainsparq.com/, which is pretty clear about the free trial and the autobill attached. It's basically some cheap vitamins that will give you mental superpowers or something.

However, the originating email didn't send me to the main page, it gave me this URL: http://sales.estoreoffers.com/brain01/index.asp?cy=3&pr=31&af=16&ad=42&a_aid=65a97fea&a_bid=9dd7a1bb&data1=9

This page never mentions the free trial + autobilling, it just touts the free trial and there is a box that reads 'Satisfaction guaranteed. Return your free sample within 14 days and you won't be charged'.

I went ahead and entered my info and got to the 2nd page where they wanted my credit card info and shipping address for the 'free trial'.
I should know better, but somehow missed the tiny 'Terms and Conditions' checkbox and gave them my credit card number so I could try their product.

Said trial bottle arrived after a short delay, then I noticed a $68 charge from Fusion Laboratories on my credit charges, which confused me until I spoke to them directly.

Here's a Flickr set of the screens including the Terms and Conditions: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tlxreed/sets/72157611572437224/detail/

So my question, dear MeFi's, is what can I do about this travesty? I guess by any legal definition I have agreed to a contract so I'm basically fucked. On the other hand, I think their website and their methodology is purposely concealing the conditions and absurd price of their product which I unknowingly agreed to. That's my rationalization at least.

What are some things I can do? Personally I'd be happy to get a refund and forget the whole thing but the company has already told me to take a hike, it's a done deal, thanks. So any and all options, including the nuclear option will be considered.

I got ripped off by the person whose lease I took over. What should I do to recover my money?

Anonymous — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 06:53:29 -0800

I got ripped off by the person whose lease I took over. What should I do to recover my money? I wanted to take over this girl's lease. She said she needed a $1200 deposit, because that was what she had paid the management company initially. She said when the lease ended and she got that back from the management company, she would give it to me.

I gave her a check for $1000 last week. Today I gave her another one for $200 after we signed all the papers.

After we signed I found out there was no deposit with the management company. She had owed them $1200 in back rent, and she used my money to pay it off so she could leave.

I called her freaking out and she said not to worry, she will pay it back to me within one month (my mom was listening on speakerphone as she said that so I have a witness). She said she would email me within half an hour to confirm that she agreed to pay me back in one month.

Well it's been several hours and no email.

She's several states away by now, but the management company has her SSN, and parent's information on file so it won't be impossible to track her down if need be.

This is my question: what is the best way for me to get as much of my money back as possible?

Say you somehow got yourself into my situation. what would you do starting right now?

I do have receipts from her for all the money, and emails and text messages from her stating the lie she initially told me.

Is the best way to go hostile, even though that might scare her off and make it harder to recover my money? Soft and coaxing so she will at least try to give me some back? Help :(

Beyond the Brain Eaters

[NOT HERMITOSIS-IST] — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 08:37:59 -0800

What are some examples of sci-fi movies that are "unofficially" based on books or stories, to the point of blatant rip-off? Heinlein examples encouraged-- all examples welcome. It was "The Brain Eaters" that got me wondering, so I think you can exclude that example.

How do I not get screwed on a used car?

geodave — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 00:15:02 -0800

I have a halfway-decent car that I'm looking to sell, and I'd like to buy a beater and drive it into the ground. Looking for a little advice. This is all very long and overdone, so forgive me, but here is the situation:

I own a '97 Nissan Maxima that I obtained many years ago in mint condition for $1000. It drove wonderfully for years and years, and still drives very well, but I feel like the repairs are hurting these days. Thousands have gone into it over the years to replace various things, no enormous repairs, but lots of oxygen sensors and other bits.

My most recent repair was new ac/serpentine belts, a tension rod, and a vehicle speed sensor; the mechanic charged almost $700CDN for the repair, most of it was labour. He's a good mechanic, I think (maybe I'm wrong) but there was a lot of labour on this job. He's told me repeatedly that all the bolts are frozen, usually things have to be torched off, and everything is a bitch to replace. I live in Toronto and salt is hell on cars here.

Finally, my question. I'd love a small car that fits the following criteria:

1) Great on gas, or diesel. Even though I live in Toronto I'd invariably try and make biodisel in the summer, but regular gas is fine. The stupid Maxima is like $65 to fill each time.

2) Fairly cheap repairs-wise, or simple to repair myself. I don't have many tools, but I have endless patience to learn how to fix things, and I can always rent the tools. I just don't want to get bogged down with expensive parts that are hard to find.

I keep going through classifieds and seeing $500 cars, and it doesn't take a lot of driving for $500 to be worthwhile. What brands, models, or other recommendations are out there? Should I ignore this plan and buy something newer? Is anything still made that I can fix with a handful of tools?

This is such a broad and open question, I hate to even ask it; but if anybody has some advice, helpful or not, I'd love to hear it. Tell me about your experiences buying crappy, sub-thousand-dollar cars.

How to get a company to fix their mistake?

justgary — Wed, 30 May 2007 16:21:32 -0800

New shower installation botched, but the installers don't seem interested in repairing it. Next action? My mother recently decided to have her bathroom completely remodeled (new floor, paint, shower, etc.). She hired a semi-retired former home builder to do the job. The only thing he didn't do himself was replace the shower. He had another company put in a marble shower when he was ready. He then finished the bathroom. She was happy with everything he did.

A few weeks later mold was appearing under the shower caulking where it couldn't be cleaned. I told her this wasn't normal. She called the original guy who did the work and he said to call the marble company. She did, they came out, and after a discussion told my mother that they fixed the mold, but that the shower hadn't been installed right and would have to be completely redone (I wasn't there, not sure exactly what the problem is). They said they'd call my mother back during the week to set up a time to do the work.

The call never came. My mother has called every other week asking when they will do the work. Each time they've said they would call in a few days. Each time, no call. It's now been 2 months since they first said they needed to replace the shower, and it hasn't been replaced. They never call back. She has kept detailed records of all communication.

I really feel they're giving her the run-a-round because she's female. I would love to help her at this point but am not sure how. I want to take a ride to the marble company and start throwing things, but I know that's not the answer.

What is the best course of action? Call the original guy, since he's the one all money was paid to, and ask him to take care of this? Go down to the marble company and threaten legal action?

I'm ready to get involved and help, but I'd like to do the right thing. Any thoughts?

Can I do anything about an auto repair guy who ripped me off?

ludwig_van — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 12:15:43 -0800

It looks like I've been sort of ripped off by an auto glass repair guy. Is there anything I can/should do? I broke the rear driver's side window of my car. I found a repair guy through a google search and his web site seemed no better or worse than anything else that turned up. He came out to my place and installed a new window. I wrote him a check for $195 (which he's already cashed), he spent maybe an hour fixing it, and then he left.

It's a power window, but it doesn't roll down at all now, and hasn't since the first time I got in my car after he installed it. I left him a message that night and then called back and spoke to him the next day. He said that that was odd because it had worked for him, and he'd call me the next morning to schedule a time to come back. He didn't call, so I called him and he told me he'd be over in 2 hours. He never came. I left him a couple more messages asking why I hadn't heard from him, etc., and he still hasn't called me back. The last time I said that if I didn't hear from him I was going to assume that he'd ripped me off and would tell people as much.

It's not the worst thing, because I have a window now, and he cleaned the glass out of my car and everything, but I want to be able to roll it down and it bothers me that he's just blowing me off. Is there anything else I should do about this?

How do you make car dealer refund a bogus fee?

StarForce5 — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 17:23:15 -0800

A relative of mine just bought a new car in Massachusetts and was blatantly robbed with bogus dealership fees. Example: $500 "registration fee" and of course the deluxe "extended warranty". Unfortunately the deal is done and it appears each bogus fee is perfectly legal in Mass and there's no "cooling off period". Is there is any recourse to persuade the dealer to reconsider these fees?

Beware the dancing bug vendor...

Ogre Lawless — Thu, 08 Jun 2006 11:14:01 -0800

RogueStreetVendorFilter: The past few times I've been in Florence, Italy, I've seen these guys selling "dancing bugs..." Okay, so they're only sometimes bugs. Sometimes they are bad depictions of Disney characters or whatever. Typically they have a cardboard body, some kind of feet attached to thin legs.

The vendor typically has music playing on a boom box and the so-called bugs are doing a little dance, mostly just round-and-round.

I've never been tempted to part with my euros to find out what makes them tick, but is there a common name for them and what makes them go?

What is a reasonable offer for a new car?

benjh — Tue, 25 Apr 2006 18:41:55 -0800

What is a reasonable offer for a new car? I am looking into getting a new, more fuel efficient vehicle. I don't want a hybrid, you just can't make the money back, I've ran the numbers. But I am looking at a number of other vehicles.

One of which is the Honda Civic. So I sent out a request for quotes, and most sent back the sticker price, one sent out $1200 less than sticker.

That same dealer, about a week later, sends me another e-mail about their "Internet Sale" where no reasonable offer will be refused.

What is reasonable? The model I want has an invoice of $19,532, and a sticker of $21,310. The offer I was sent originally was for $20,200 or something like that.

our website stinks!

rare_g — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 14:59:55 -0800

Am I getting ripped off by my web designer? (and also, how much should a website (non-commerce) cost to design?) I recently began working for a small textiles company. Before I was hired, the boss decided to hire a web design group to build a website for us so we could expand our business. Anyways, the boss gave this design group a whole bunch of money (i think way too much) and they came and took photographs of the place and designed an Okay looking site. Actually, the site looks pretty good... the problem is its functionality. It is so poorly designed in that aspect that we don't even bother promoting it. Plus, the design group is saying that it is going to cost over $1000 to add each additional page to the site.

To me this is absolutely asinine. These design people are so awful that I want the boss to cut bait and move on to greener pastures. I mean, I went to their website and it said "coming soon". Ha!

Anywho, can we take the work that these bad designers have done (work we have rightfully paid for) to another designer, to make improvements on the form and function?

Quite frankly, we need help and I could go on and on about what we need but I just would like to hear what you fine individuals have to say about my current situation.

Thanks in advance.

/ I mean, why can't we just have a really simple html site that we are able to add pictures to from our company computer...?
// oh wait, my boss is so old-school, we got dial-up!
///oy vey

Dealing with ripoff experts.

clunkyrobot — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 10:20:06 -0800

What's the best course of action after being ripped off by an online retailer? I ordered a motorcycle helmet from an online retailer based out of Salt Lake City, Utah. They immediately withdrew funds from my checking account via a debt card. They took about 2 weeks to tell me the item was out of stock. I was given the option to cancel my order, order another similar product, or wait until the item was in stock.

I opted to cancel the order, that was almost a month ago. Since then they've stopped responding to emails and phone calls. Obviously, I've not gotten my money back.

What's my best course of action to get my money back now? I have the company's address and phone number, they have a website that is well designed and professional looking. Everything pointed to them being legit... I've submitted a complaint to the Utah BBB, but there is not even a guarantee that this company is listed with them. Is there anything else I can or should be doing?

Up the Creek w/o a T-Mobile Brand Paddle

luriete — Sun, 26 Jun 2005 13:32:48 -0800

A very good friend of mine had her cellular telephone stolen the other day, and by the time she noticed this and reported the theft to T-Mobile, the thief had made many hundreds of dollars worth of calls to a foreign nation. After many calls back and forth, T-Mobile says they are doing her a great favor by waiving 25% of the costs but she is responsible for the rest. Is this right? Why would they treat a supposedly valued customer of several years this way? The T-Mobile reps tell her there is no appeal process or ombudsman; does anyone know if this is really true?

How do you get a "do not copy" key copied?

spacewrench — Sat, 23 Apr 2005 22:37:01 -0800

I live in a condo complex with a pool, and there's a key to get into the pool. Naturally, I've lost the key. The condo management wants $150 for a new one, which seems a little excessive. Unfortunately, it's a Medeco key, and from Googling around, it looks like they've done a good job of locking up the market so that people like my condo manager can jack you up. I'm sure the $150 fee discourages people from getting extra copies to give to their non-resident friends, but really, it's not like the facilities are worth driving across town to use.
Does anybody have a source for Medeco key blanks? Right now, I'm willing to try filing my own key (I can borrow one to copy).