Received letter requesting $2200 in damages

[IDV8]

Basically a while ago I found cheap Microsoft items advertised for reselling, figured I'd give it a try. A batch then had codes that didn't work, Paypal/Ebay suspended me etc saying they can't do business with me because I had goods that weren't of working order .. made to pay back claims of people who returned products.

Recevied letter from solicitors stating that they represent the company and I sold goods under XXX on eBay etc, they want me to return whatever '⊗⊗⊗⊗' goods I have to them plus sign something saying I won't import more and include a cheque for $2200 in damages. Thoughts? (And can't afford to spend $2200 right now)

[rsot]

Don't do sh*t about this letter - was not sent to you registered - act as if you have not seen it.

IN your real information? name and address?

[Alps_a somewhatlegend]

I agree. Its probably a standard letter type of thing the company sends out. If you contact them, they will know you are about - it should pass over eventually - just keep ignoring the letters

[FandangoKango]

Ignore it! Don't do it.

[IDV8]

Yeah this was waaaaaaaaaay before I'd even heard of stealth eBay unfortunately :( Cheers for the replies guys, I was hoping that'd be the best thing to do - think they just wanted to have a go at scaring someone into paying them some $$.

[ShadyOne]

Agree, ignore and move on with your new venture.

Not the same stuff hopefully

[IDV8]

It was a learning curve but I learned none the less, cheers guys :D

[rsot]

I would just like to see one of these letters in jpg form to see what it is that gets everyone so riled up =)

[Axcend]

ignore, if it comes to more play ignorance. Someone could easily have stolen your identity and high jacked the package before you were able to pick it up, meaning that you had no idea you had ordered anything and why anythin would have been delivered to you. I hope you didn't have to sign for it when it came in lol. Even then just pick a new way to sign your name.

[IDV8]

At the end of the day even if it went to court I can't see a judge rewarding them compensation as I'm not an enterprise/company or registered business - simply a person who saw an opportunity to show a little entrepreneurism and make a bit of profit. I didn't scam anyone either, the ones who ended up with a faulty product (as I couldn't test before selling each one individually) got a refund as soon as it was returned and in some cases (2 US buyers) I told them to keep the item and I'll refund them anyway as I trusted their judgement.

I'd also think a judge wouldn't be too happy about the law firm wasting the courts time over such a small matter either. Thanks for the replies :D

Sorry rsot I don't have a scanner but I'll break it down:
- We are XXX and we represent XXX (a number of companies, there were about 6)
- We received notice of counterfeit goods being sold under the eBay name of XXX
- As you did not have permission to sell the items we request that you send $2200 in damages
- Also requests I sign a form saying I won't sell their stuff again and will send in any excess stock I had in relation
- Expects a cheque/money order for $2200 within 2 weeks

At the end of the day these "damages" were refunded to the buyers as majority of the stock didn't work thus I didn't profit from it.

[GrannyT]

Originally Posted by IDV8

At the end of the day even if it went to court I can't see a judge rewarding them compensation as I'm not an enterprise/company or registered business - simply a person who saw an opportunity to show a little entrepreneurism and make a bit of profit. I didn't scam anyone either, the ones who ended up with a faulty product (as I couldn't test before selling each one individually) got a refund as soon as it was returned and in some cases (2 US buyers) I told them to keep the item and I'll refund them anyway as I trusted their judgement.

I'd also think a judge wouldn't be too happy about the law firm wasting the courts time over such a small matter either. Thanks for the replies :D

Sorry rsot I don't have a scanner but I'll break it down:
- We are XXX and we represent XXX (a number of companies, there were about 6)
- We received notice of counterfeit goods being sold under the eBay name of XXX
- As you did not have permission to sell the items we request that you send $2200 in damages
- Also requests I sign a form saying I won't sell their stuff again and will send in any excess stock I had in relation
- Expects a cheque/money order for $2200 within 2 weeks

At the end of the day these "damages" were refunded to the buyers as majority of the stock didn't work thus I didn't profit from it.

Do NOT make that mistake my friend - they will suck you in spit you out and hang you out to dry. Do not be so naive as to expect judges to have any sympathy for you.

You sold counterfeit goods - end of story - if you can hide away and avoid them all well and good but there is nothing good you can say from your side - you put yourself in the firing line and you got shot - sorry - but that's the way it is

[IDV8]

I didn't know they were counterfeit though, if anything I lost profit (by refunding everyone)

[GrannyT]

Totally irrelevant - ignorance of the law is no excuse what so ever - as I said in a previous post on this thread - you sold counterfeit goods - you lost the rightful owners money - whether you knew or not, whether you lost or made money, whether your customers were happy or sad - none of that matters a jot.

YOU sold counterfeit goods that you had no right to sell. Many posters make light of VERO and ⊗⊗⊗⊗ goods but the bottom line is if you get caught your arse is in a sling - and you have been caught!

I suggest you do not sign for any letters and you keep a very low profile