eBay Collections ~$5000

ncc · #1 10-14-2013

Okay. Basically, I owe eBay $5000 in reimbursemenCt fees. The account is non stealth. The account name and address are mine, but my partner (who ****ed everything up) used his financial information.

Long story short, he drop shipped and none of the customers received their items. Its pretty bad, and I have no idea what to do. Its not even me that owes money, but Im stuck in figuring this out.

When debt collectors come my way, what can I do? an I do anything to put them off? Will they rather go after my partner, because its his financial information?

Any help here would be wonderful.

BigCJ · #2 10-14-2013

Pay ebay the 5 k and sue your partner for the loss.

MM78 · #3 10-14-2013

There is nothing you can do, unfortunately the account is in your name.

When you say your partners financial information, what do you mean?

ncc · #4 10-14-2013

It was his debit card/bank acct.

MM78 · #5 10-14-2013

I would consult a Lawyer right away. We can give ideas but for legal matters a lawyer will be best.

ncc · #6 10-14-2013

Okay. Can this ruin my credit? They have my address, phone, and personal information, maybe my SSN. Also, can I direct the collectors to my partner? Legally, I think I can say I did not know what was going on in the account, because that's true and I can have the debt directed to him. Does that make sense?

sarah74 · #7 10-14-2013

if there is your parter's credit card and bank linked why not let ebay extract the 5k and leave you out of it?

123 · #8 10-14-2013

Yes this will almost guaranteed hurt your credit if left unpaid. I would consult with a lawyer to seek compensation from your partner.

JamesNorth101 · #9 10-14-2013

This can hurt your credit rating

First thing I would do is talk to a lawyer ASAP

jeffweico · #10 10-14-2013

I have more that 18 years of experience in the credit and collections industry, however I need to point out that I am NOT an attorney. However, I CAN say with confidence:

If the account is in YOUR NAME, then it is YOUR DEBT. eBay will come after YOU for the money. You can sue your ex-business partner for it, or he can simply agree to pay it, but at the end of the day, it is YOU who will be held responsible.

Yes, this CAN affect your credit rating. Given the size of the bill, it can affect it is a BIG WAY!

There is no law that says you have to speak with a bill collector. In fact, if you tell them to cease and desist and follow it up with a letter, they cannot legally contact you, except for one last letter confirming that they are stopping their collection efforts. HOWEVER - if you choose to go this route, the next most likely step is for them to forward it to an attorney for legal action. You cannot stop someone from suing you by using the above technique. And, for $5,000+ I think they are very likely to litigate.

I agree with the others that you should speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. Sometimes, they can find a way out. Or, if you cannot afford to pay the bill - and you Do get sued - then bankruptcy may be your best option. An attorney can review your particular situation and let you know what your options are.

And, here we have one more example illustrating why eBay does NOT like drop-shipping.

jeffweico · #11 10-14-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncc

Okay. Can this ruin my credit? They have my address, phone, and personal information, maybe my SSN. Also, can I direct the collectors to my partner? Legally, I think I can say I did not know what was going on in the account, because that's true and I can have the debt directed to him. Does that make sense?

Nope. This is between you and eBay. You put the account in your name and based on the information you gave, eBay allowed you to have an account. Your partner has nothing to do with it. Whatever agreement you have between you and your ex-business partner are between you and him.

In other words, you are responsible to eBay and - from your post - it sounds like your business partner is responsible to you.

Never, EVER put your name on an account for someone else. It can only lead to trouble. A few years ago when you could not get a cellular phone unless you had good credit, a lot of people with good credit would sign up for a phone and give it to someone who could not qualify because they had bad credit. Then, the bill gets run up and is never paid. A collection call is made to the person who signed for the phone. They are adamant that it is NOT their bill since they got the phone for someone else and they did not actually make the calls. But that is only in THEIR mind. If you sign an agreement for services, you have to live up to it. If you want to go after the person who used the services, that is up to you. But as far as the company you had the account with is concerned, the bill is yours.

Sandy D · #12 10-14-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffweico

I have more that 18 years of experience in the credit and collections industry, however I need to point out that I am NOT an attorney. However, I CAN say with confidence:

If the account is in YOUR NAME, then it is YOUR DEBT. eBay will come after YOU for the money. You can sue your ex-business partner for it, or he can simply agree to pay it, but at the end of the day, it is YOU who will be held responsible.

Yes, this CAN affect your credit rating. Given the size of the bill, it can affect it is a BIG WAY!

There is no law that says you have to speak with a bill collector. In fact, if you tell them to cease and desist and follow it up with a letter, they cannot legally contact you, except for one last letter confirming that they are stopping their collection efforts. HOWEVER - if you choose to go this route, the next most likely step is for them to forward it to an attorney for legal action. You cannot stop someone from suing you by using the above technique. And, for $5,000+ I think they are very likely to litigate.

I agree with the others that you should speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. Sometimes, they can find a way out. Or, if you cannot afford to pay the bill - and you Do get sued - then bankruptcy may be your best option. An attorney can review your particular situation and let you know what your options are.

And, here we have one more example illustrating why eBay does NOT like drop-shipping.

Listen carefully to Jeff, he knows his stuff when it comes to this area.

GreenBean · #13 10-14-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncc

Okay. Can this ruin my credit? They have my address, phone, and personal information, maybe my SSN. Also, can I direct the collectors to my partner? Legally, I think I can say I did not know what was going on in the account, because that's true and I can have the debt directed to him. Does that make sense?

Do not ask this forum to aid you in avoiding your obligations under a contract you made with eBay.

Do not ask for more help to let you off making good your obligations with eBay.

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