I (as a buyer) had a Craig's list transaction that was dead for two months. I made email and phone contact to get product/condition info on a recurve bow-all good to buy. Sent USPS money order. NOTHING for two months (no returned emails, no phone pick-ups.  I was only able to leave messages (I.e. "What's the status of the bow?").

Finally I contacted my local police.  They said this case was "theft by deception". I filed charges on my end. My police dept contacted the seller's police dept.

Low and behold, I had the bow in my hand 4 days later. Never received any contact from the seller.

Worked out overall, but it was a pain for two months. It was a 1959 Kodiak Special (68"  40#), and I really wanted it. It is now my favorite bow, but what a hassle.

I have little tolerance for liars, cheats and thieves.  

If your buyer is "swamped" by personal issues, well, life happens. The buyer has an absolute responsibility to make alternate plans with you to a satisfactory end point.  Have him pay up, or ship the bow back. Neither of these options take much time.

If he is not working with you to resolve the transaction, give him one last call and email (written documentation, with proof of receipt of email) that you will go to the authorities if full payment, or the bow in original condition at sale time, is not received in 5 days.  

It's not your fault this guy is dragging his heals on finalizing the sale-for whatever reason he has. It IS the buyer that must act quickly. If not, then go to "plan B", the cops.

Lastly, don't ship an item without payment in hand.

nkw880. I wish it hadn't gotten this far. I told him he could return the item. Communication just stopped. It's mostly my fault. I was over confident that he was like everyone else I've dealt with here on TradGang. Everyone here has been great. I have learned my lesson. If anyone knows this guy mention to him that I'll take the item back even though he's had it since March if the money is an issue. Thank you everyone.
Terry or Bob if you need more details let me know.

I sure would appreciate more detail - like who this scammer is!

"Baseball"?!? Is this person a ball player or simply a fan of the game?

If they put watching a game over sending the money, you know to chalk it up as tuition for a life lesson.

Sorry for your loss...

His user name is nkw880. I don't know what the baseball deal is.

I take my lead from AutoZone.  You can borrow a tool by paying retail and get your money back when it's returned!

Chain2
Sent you a PM.

PM answered   Thank you

This sucks.  I have done something similar to what you did and sent bows immediately to long time TG members on their word that payment was coming. I have never had a problem with this.  I also figured that I could afford the loss if they did not hold up their end.  Still, it sucks when it is a TG member doing this to you.

UPDATE.
I received an email last night from him @ 2147 EDT saying I would have a tracking # today.

doesn't make sense to me for a member in question to do something that stupid, when he has openly listed his real name and address in one of the thread here....some people really don't think about consequences of their action

Stuff happens I guess. All the responses here must have motivated him. Money or item, as long as I get one, I'll figure it settled. Thanks Guys

He wouldn't be from Texas would he?

We have heard that TRACKING INFO COMING TODAY before as well.  Until money is in hand or item is returned in hand with no issues....there is NO MORE TRUST.  Trust was lost when he dragged out a 3 day transaction to 3 months.

I'm not sure how you did business with him here but I want to make one thing clear... this guy Nick was NOT a contributing member -  he did NOT have access to the classifieds.

No Texan would do this. This guy is a Buckeye. Go Blue!

I wish I had some closure to add but I don't. He told me I'd have a tracking # by 1700 EDT today.  Nothing. I'm done. He's not worth any more of my time. If he comes back around at least we all know what he's made of. Thanks for all the support guys.

If he doesn't come through we will add him to the scammers list ......oh yeah he's been banned.

But again I'm not sure how you did business with him but he was NOT , I repeat NOT a contributing member here.

Thanks Terry.  I know I could've done things different that's for sure. Lesson learned. Thanks again

Heck the first post that comes up in his search he's posting his name and address, not a smart crook. That could earn a visit if it were something major.

I mailed a bunch of low dollar items to reputable guys on this site. More than half of them required multiple pms in order to get my money. After that I decided I would never do it again.