Guess seller didn't mention in the ad what "other" was?

I see why buyer protection was set up but it doesn't ward off bad sellers. What items I would deem not worthy to make it past the trash can other's list as mint.

Keep the faith however because you won the case and he took the blame.

That you had to actually open a claim is crazy though, isn't it?

Thanks noreserve and I completely agree with you about checking the reviews a person has earned here. Unfortunately I got caught up in bargin hunting and did not spend enough time looking over this seller's review record.

As I said I'm a seller here also and I'm not perfect either but I try to do what is right because I value my feedback rating. It also makes no sense to create ill will.

It helps me to have a sounding board here-so while I am frustrated over this I will use this experience to shop smarter in the future.

BTW because I don't believe I can trust the seller involved in this I asked ebay to make a decision on (escalated) the case.

Well I do feel supported here and that means something to me-I appreciate it. If you view the attachment you will find that Ebay decided in favor of the seller. I wasn't trying to get the PS3 for free at all and perhaps I could have done this another way-I just am not sure how?

I had some communication with the seller and was willing to let this go if he refunded $15.00 so that I could purchase another controller. The fact still remains that the PS3 is pretty obviously used. But the seller would only refund $ if I returned the controller and/or the PS3 console.

I just didn't trust that he would do what he said he would. I haven't displayed here all the tall tales and excuses from the emails he sent and for me it's better to put this behind me now.

I suspect that most online sales of this type have problems but do others do a better job of keeping tricksters at bay?

At least your claim was approved. I sold an old lionel train car as parts, had priority shipping in the listing (med box) customer won with no messages, than demanded economy ship.(without payment) When I offered to cancel transaction, he not only declined but started sending 5 page emails telling me how he owned the item, was going to sue me and have me investigated. He went so far as to call my local police dept (WA from Maryland) to try to have them arrest me. When I contacted Ebay, I got the call center run around for 4 days trying to get any advise or action. Finally ate the shipping cost, sent him an invoice, he paid and I sent it. But I know he is going to open a buyers case against me and torpedoe me with feedback. Seems like threats and intimidation are his way of doing things but wow, NO support from Ebay whatsoever. Have blocked him from further bidding and hope I never meet him on here again.

Well I haven't let go of this completely-it's a process.

And maybe someone else will learn from all this-who knows?

I'm including another email from this seller-this was an exchange we had due to the fact that I hadn't heard anything from the seller until the 18th (item was paid for on the 11th) The seller also ironically states in his listing that he wants to be paid within 24 hours.

So even though his message is hard to read-I'm not holding that against him but he does claim in a previous email and then again here that he had sent my item out by mistake to another address but was able to stop the shipment using USPS tracking.

I've never known that to be possible-stopping a shipment-so I believed I was dealing with a liar but am I wrong? Is it possible to stop a shipment in route somehow?

In any case this is the kind of transaction ebay supports. I've closed out my saved searches and watch list. I might put one last item up for sale or I might just use ebid.

Yes ebay has the biggest selection and online selling presence but apparently they also encourage scamming. I can buy and sell (I'm not a huge seller) other places without this kind of grief. Thanks to whoever is reading this, and for the considerate responses so far. I do appreciate the time and transactions I've had here. Things change though and I'm not on board with these kinds of changes.