Stay clear of "Fausto".

[aryntha]

Back on 3/12, as some folks saw in the B/S/T forum, an individual known as "Fausto" offered up two JDSU 2214-40ML ArIon heads + 2214 Power Supply for sale. He claimed that both were working: that one was "weak" and one was "brand new", from 2008. He claimed he got paid to remove them from a DNA sequencing machine and wanted a "fair price for known-working lasers."

Well, I bit -- I spoke to him privately a few days later; sent him his asking price (plus quite a bit in shipping) to get them sent here.

They arrived about a week later, and, surprise surprise, they were both completely dead. The "new" one was not new; in fact they were both manufactured one day apart, 2/21/2001 and 2/22/2001. I worked with folks here, like Daguin, and also Sam Goldwasser from Sam's Laser FAQ to try to get them going: Nothing but clicks on ignite; they appear to be up to air.

I informed "Fausto" of this situation, and after a week of non-response, he claimed he'd refund me $100 of the cost "as soon as he had money in his account".I refrained from writing a bad review or rating him badly, figuring maybe he'd come through at least on that partial refund.

Of course, I never heard from him again. (And I have been trying to contact him since.) He has my money and I have hazardous-waste paperweights.

(Unfortunately paypal disputes are non-binding outside of ebay. I likely will file one anyhow.)

I am aware that this is a case of "caveat emptor", and I do realize I took a gamble and I lost. I do feel, however, that it's my duty to inform the rest of this forum that this guy is not a straight shooter.

We will likely never hear from him again --- but just in case; this was my experience with him.

 

[Crazy Jay]

His last activity is the following

Last Activity: 03-12-2010 02:16 PM

Seems he did his deed and ran off. Paypal disputes are paypal disputes whether in or outside of ebay. I think you will be ok with starting one.

You know it's funny... in GTA IV there's a criminal named Faustin. Talk about your similarities

 

[HaloBlu]

Very sorry you got burned. Reading his thread fausto certainly seemed convincing to me. I hope the paypal dispute will prompt him to refund you at least something.

 

[roddenberry]

Gas lasers are always a bit of a gamble, but if you alway hope to get a good unit for a fair price... If I ever get an Argon, it will probably originate from someone like Sam or Dave, whose reputation are spotless.

But a great deal is a great deal... it's damn hard to resist a fantastic deal on an argon, and I have to admit, if the price is right, I might get one from an unknown seller on eBay, it it's dead, i'll still be able to say I have an argon... LOL Thanks for the heads-up, aryntha!
- Robert

 

[hakzaw1]

You might get lucky on a new replacement cartridge for these and swap it out--never attempted to do that but its something to think about. I received two dead ones too--so I can feel your pain.---HZ

 

[KGB_Productions]

Dont wait any longer, START THE PAYPAL DISPUTE NOW!

 

[ElektroFreak]

Even though buying any used laser comes with it's share of risk, it's awesome that you took the time to give us all a general "heads-up".. Thanks for that Aryntha!

 

[aryntha]

Will do, KGB.

Thanks for the support and advice, guys.

 

[daguin]

I hope the paypal dispute will prompt him to refund you at least something.

As I discovered when buying a broken laser form Laser_Ben. Outside of eBay, PayPal's "not significantly as described" does NOT cover receiving a non-working laser. If you received it, recovery is virtually impossible.

Peace,
dave

 

[Flaminpyro]

Hey Dave are what you are saying here is that you bought a laser from laser ben and it was broken when it arived and he wouldn't replace it ? is that what I understand you just said here.

As I discovered when buying a broken laser form Laser_Ben. Outside of eBay, PayPal's "not significantly as described" does NOT cover receiving a non-working laser. If you received it, recovery is virtually impossible.

Peace,
dave

 

[pullbangdead]

You know it's funny... in GTA IV there's a criminal named Faustin. Talk about your similarities

LOL, I don't think it's a coincidence.

It's almost certainly not a coincidence that a video character whose name includes "Faust" is a criminal. And while it may just be a coincidence, it's very likely that this seller's choice of a name that includes "Faust" wasn't an accident either. At first glance, I wouldn't think it a coincidence that someone got ripped off by a guy named Faust, not in the least.

Personally, I don't think I could ever do any business with a person who had chosen a name which included "Faust" in it, and that other people do such deals is just evidence that more classical education is needed in our schools. "Faust" (and related adverb/adjective "Faustian") come from an old, old German story about a guy named Faust. Faust has become the prototypical representation of a character who surrenders his morals and integrity in exchange for the things which he most desires. In older stories this was wisdom, like eating from the tree of knowledge, giving up your innocence to gain knowledge. However, it's also often associated with any sort of "deal with the devil", any sort of giving up your own morals and integrity in order to gain money or other worldly goods.

And who said classical literature education would never be of any use to you? A little more literature might've saved you a few bucks. And maybe you can even take some solace in the fact that it pretty much always turns out bad for Faust in the end, even if he did end up with your money. Of course if you're an Atheist who also doesn't believe in the general idea of karma, then Faust isn't likely to get much punishment in your view.

------------------------------------

I have few rules. Never play cards with a guy named doc, never get involved in a land war in Asia, and never do a deal with a guy named Faust.

 

[Crazy Jay]

LOL, I don't think it's a coincidence.

It's almost certainly not a coincidence that a video character whose name includes "Faust" is a criminal. And while it may just be a coincidence, it's very likely that this seller's choice of a name that includes "Faust" wasn't an accident either. At first glance, I wouldn't think it a coincidence that someone got ripped off by a guy named Faust, not in the least.

Personally, I don't think I could ever do any business with a person who had chosen a name which included "Faust" in it, and that other people do such deals is just evidence that more classical education is needed in our schools. "Faust" (and related adverb/adjective "Faustian") come from an old, old German story about a guy named Faust. Faust has become the prototypical representation of a character who surrenders his morals and integrity in exchange for the things which he most desires. In older stories this was wisdom, like eating from the tree of knowledge, giving up your innocence to gain knowledge. However, it's also often associated with any sort of "deal with the devil", any sort of giving up your own morals and integrity in order to gain money or other worldly goods.

And who said classical literature education would never be of any use to you? A little more literature might've saved you a few bucks. And maybe you can even take some solace in the fact that it pretty much always turns out bad for Faust in the end, even if he did end up with your money. Of course if you're an Atheist who also doesn't believe in the general idea of karma, then Faust isn't likely to get much punishment in your view.

------------------------------------

I have few rules. Never play cards with a guy named doc, never get involved in a land war in Asia, and never do a deal with a guy named Faust.

You learn something everyday. Thanks for sharing that man. Faust. Knowledge can be power. That guy Fausto should be banned

 

[hakzaw1]

Same here^^ I thought to was like 'Gordo'-in spanish -fatso-- ban him asap. I forgot what i learned when I read the story about Faust.

I doubt PP will be of any help-- if he is smart he moves the $ just as soon as it comes in--and has no CCards or other acct. tied to his PP and no overdraft protection--thats how they get away with it--PP/Ebay etc cannot do anything more about it except close his accts. IIRC-hz--karma is a biach tho!!-----

and I love this @pallbang..'I have few rules. Never play cards with a guy named doc, never get involved in a land war in Asia, and never do a deal with a guy named Faust'

 

[Crazy Jay]

In light of this information, don't beat yourself down aryntha. It's just one of those things you would've had to know. That's why this place is a great community... a lot of smart people in here.

 

[daguin]

Hey Dave are what you are saying here is that you bought a laser from laser ben and it was broken when it arived and he wouldn't replace it ? is that what I understand you just said here.

This is not the place. PM me if you want details

Peace,
dave

 

[pullbangdead]

and I love this @pallbang..'I have few rules. Never play cards with a guy named doc, never get involved in a land war in Asia, and never do a deal with a guy named Faust'

LOL, thanks. I added the Faust part, but 10 points to the person who can tell me the origins of the other 2 clauses (they have separate separate origins, I picked and chose the parts I liked) without google.