Why Are People Such Scumbags?

So I sold a digital game code on eBay. I've sold them before, and I've been scammed before with the old 'unauthorized payment' PayPal chargeback (got my money back in the end through lengthy processes though), so this is nothing new to me. You can see my previous posts to see what exactly.

This code was only worth a little more than $10, so sending it physically via registered post wasn't really feasible. I decided to take my chances and send it digitally.

The first time it sold, the buyer requested a refund 5 minutes later. I hadn't sent it so no problem (though PayPal still took their non-refundable share, which sucks).

It sold to another buyer a few days later. The buyer had zero feedback, so I asked if I could call them a phone call and give the code over the phone. They refused and got annoyed, since in my listing it stated I'd send it via email. I told them that I'd send it on the condition that they leave feedback immediately after redeeming it. They agreed. The bells were ringing at this point, but I decided to take the chance because you have to be real low to scam someone over $10. I sent the code and the next day feedback was received saying the code worked. All good.

BUT…two days later, the buyer opened a return request stating that they had changed their mind and that the code hadn't been used.

Firstly, I stated in the listing that returns would not be accepted, and secondly, they already left feedback stating it had worked, so I declined the return. I hope that's the end of it.

As I said, I've been through all of this before, so I knew the risks, but it annoys me just how many scumbags there are out there that take advantage of others' honesty. Why can't people just be honest?

Comments

  • +36

    Because there exist a very big portion of the population that believes they are entitled to things therefore certain actions are within their rights.

    These actions include change of mind, compensation for non existent damages/losses, and all other manner of shirking personal responsibilities.

    Nothing has changed.

    • +8

      change of mind

      That's being going around a lot lately on ozb.

    • +2

      Nothing has changed.

      Things have changed, in that now these "scumbags" quote "consumer law", their version of it anyway, to justify their entitlements and bully sellers/businesses into giving in to their ridiculous demands. This poster, for instance.

      Woke crooks are the worst.

      • +1

        Having thought about it, you're right. Things have changed.

        There exist more channels for scumbaggery and there is greater detection of said shittiness.

        • ..than when you were a wee boy? :p

    • -5

      Yes, we're all aware of LNP voters, thanks.

  • +17

    Good people know about both good and evil: bad people do not know about either.

    C. S. Lewis

    • +4

      Does knowing about good and evil and hopefully the difference between the 2 ,necessarily make one a good person?

      Take C.S Lewis himself, for instance, he had an affair that spanned many years with a mate's mother , Mrs Jane Moore, while she was still legally married. He then went on to marry Joy Davidman who, from all accounts, he was not attracted to or in love with, so that she could continue to live in the UK,

      As a born again Christian , C.S.Lewis would have known the difference between good and evil but did that stop him from breaking bro codes, participating in adultery or committing immigration frauds? Nope.

      During his lifetime, he was regarded by his peers as virtuous and even wrote a book preaching the values of courage and honour which was well received. This is because he hid his affair with his mate's mother from everyone and even went so far as to introduce her as his own mother to explain why they were often seen together.

      Someone once said that being generally deemed a good person often requires one to tell a half-truth, not to tell the truth, or to tell a complete lie. That is probably closer to my current working definition of what a good person is.

      • +1

        Does knowing about good and evil and hopefully the difference between the 2 ,necessarily make one a good person?

        No. More on that quote here (no.1) https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2013/09/five-timeless-quot…

        As a born again Christian , C.S.Lewis would have known the difference between good and evil

        So non-Christians don't know? You can be a Christian and do bad things as you can be a non-Christian and do good things.

        • +1

          Does knowing about good and evil and hopefully the difference between the 2 ,necessarily make one a good person?

          That was a rhetorical question to get people thinking. The answer is obviously , no :)

          So non-Christians don't know?

          Not what I was implying at all. I meant that as a Christian he would have been intimately acquainted with the 10 commandments and its associated sins which include:

          Thou shalt not commit adultery

          Yet he was sleeping with a married woman.

          Thou shalt not bear false witness

          He lied so that Joy davidmann could stay in the country.

          Thou shalt not covet your neighbour's wife

          He was introducing his mate's mother as his own.

          Lust

          He was sleeping with his mate's mother, a woman in her 40s when he was in his 20s.

          P.s: I'm not a Christian.

          PPs: In before someone decides to wilfully misinterpret my statement again, there is nothing wrong with being a christian if that is what you want to be. I am pro-self-determination.

          • @[Deactivated]:

            In before someone decides to wilfully misinterpret my statement again,

            Lol I'm just quoting what you said. I'm not sure what was the point of your statement at all. I don't think anyone thought he was perfect. Are you trying to say he was a bad person or did you just really dislike that quote???

            • +2

              @ozhunter: I think he was just using this example to make a point. CS Lewis professed knowledge of how to differentiate between good and evil, but at some stages in his life, he chose evil. Ergo, knowledge does not equal wisdom or ethics.

  • +2

    Just simply avoid doing business for digital media or gift cards.
    People scam over physical item. Why waste time on selling/buying digital items?

    • Because they're easy pickings. As soon as the add says sent via email the scammers are in.

  • -7

    Because there are people that exist in this world with nothing better to do except to make other people's life miserable for their own happiness. Unfortunately, those same people probably robbing the government of our money too through the Centrelink.

    • +4

      Lol.

      I did not neg, but nice generalisation.

      Scumbag scammers can have jobs too! My last ebay scammer was a real estate agent.

      • +5

        Real estate agent recently knocked on my "Do not knock" door, pretending to be a neighbour. Such a sleazy industry

    • +2

      Nothing compared to the “upper class” welfare of avoiding paying their taxes. Especially big corporations with their “offshore” tax dodges.

      • -1

        Centerlink - money literally being paid out.

        "Tax Dodge" - companies using the same kinds of rules as you do to minimise their taxes.

        There's a difference there.

        • +3

          The difference is the companies are avoiding millions whereas the Centrelink guys tend to be chump change. So, you are right, there is a difference.

          • +1

            @try2bhelpful: The dollar amount isn't relevant though. If I'm legally paid a 7-figure salary, that would be fine, and someone stealing $10 from my office would still not be fine, despite it being 'chump change'.

          • +1

            @try2bhelpful: If you call hundreds of million is chump change, yeah okay sure.

            • +2

              @craving: Hundreds of millions, illegally, on Centrelink? Give me some figures here? However, big businesses are using pass the shell company loans around multiple companies, in multiple countries, to avoid looking like they are making a profit.

              • +3

                @try2bhelpful:

                Hundreds of millions, illegally, on Centrelink?

                No, legally. Large corporations are also minimising the tax they are required to pay by using shell companies, also legally(I assume).

                Why would anyone or any company pay more tax than required?

  • Location of buyers?

  • So I sold a digital game code on eBay

    Stopped reading there, first mistake.

    • +9

      Well you should have read the rest because I clearly explained my reasoning.

  • +3

    The real scum bags are ebay and paypal.

    • +7

      Why exactly? They provide a service/platform that you agree to use and pay fees for. How does that make them scumbags?

  • +2

    That's the sad reality. Things that are easy to scam will attract scumbags. The people who are legit probably won't look at them either because they might think they'll be the ones who are scammed. So unfortunately all you'll see are the idiots.

    Anyway, safest thing to do is sell or trade these sorts of things to friends/family/workmates. Or just give them away to the same people. Dealing with scumbags isn't worth the stress.

  • +4

    I don't know your financial situation, but it seems like a lot of flaff and heartache for $10.

    We all value money differently but it just seems that there is such high risk in this kind of transactions where you rely on the trust of people. You go through a whole cycle of emotions only to get the equivalent of a medium big mac meal.

    Again, not saying $10 is a throw away amount, but maybe consider if its worth it the time/effort/emotion/emailing etc with future endeavors. People will want everything for nothing, and won't blink an eye when it impacts you.

  • +2

    "Why Are People Such Scumbags?"

    Philosophy and religion forum is thataway =======>

    • Add politics.

      • Not sure politics can explain 'why' people are scumbags.I can see how it attracts scumbags… :)

  • +1

    you have to be real low to scam someone over $10

    You reckon this is as low as people will go?

  • Why Are People Such Scumbags?

    Because people suck. To paraphrase a well known saying: Picture a person with an average sense of morals. Half of the population have less morals that this person.

    Though these days I think there's a trend of people wanting to pander to people's feelings (including of entitlement) instead of making them actually be responsible and earn their way.

    • Picture a person with an average sense of morals. Half of the population have less morals that this person.

      Yeah, that's not how averages work.

      • +1

        bzzt

        That's the second time you've been pedantic yet wrong. The more specific term may well be "median", being the value in the centre of the distribution, but "average" in non-technical use also encompasses this meaning (from the Oxford Dictionary via Google):

        average
        /ˈav(ə)rɪdʒ/
        noun
        1.
        a number expressing the central or typical value in a set of data, in particular the mode, median, or (most commonly) the mean, which is calculated by dividing the sum of the values in the set by their number.

        Plus, I was referencing the "person of average intelligence" saying.

        • Dictionaries are descriptive, not prescriptive. That you've used average, sloppily, in a manner that confuses, when a precise term is required to illuminate and support your argument, is very worthy of commentary.

          Particularly in a setting, such as a spread of morals, where the difference between median and mean could potentially be so so different.

          Your ego fuels your response. Diji adds to your point. They make it better. Embrace them as your friend, not your foe.

          • +1

            @jacross: I used the word according to a widely accepted definition, and intentionally did so in reference to a widely known phrase.

            Diji1 missed both these points in their rush to point out a pedantic and incorrect issue in order to feel superior about themselves and stroke their own ego. I feel no need to be appreciative.

            • -1

              @HighAndDry: I'm quite cinfident that if you ask people what average means, they would think of the concept of mean. The issue arises in that many don't consider the implications of an uneven distribution, which is why we must seek clearer terms which are fortunately available and accessible. I fundamentally reject your assertion, depsite the one dictionary reference.

              If you aren't grateful of the additional information, that is your choice and your consequence to bear. I for one celebrate this thread on behalf of anyone who may see it and discover in themselves a new understanding of statistics.

              I've never heard of the phrase, but the final thing I'd say to you is, believe in yourself enough to have the confidence to express a new and clearer phrase. You can be that leader. You can be that great communicator. Don't let the failures of the past stop you.

              • @jacross:

                I'm quite cinfident that

                Perhaps you should be less confident, especially that you might know better than a dictionary.

                Also you seem to be under the additional misapprehension that I didn't know the difference between mean and median - I do and already did at the time of posting, but "the average person" sounds a damn sight more natural than "the median person".

                • -1

                  @HighAndDry: Like I said, dictionaries are descriptive, not prescriptive. Those who work on them will tell you this.

                  I'm very confident that a more specific terminology is required to highlight your point. You disagree. I acknowledge that.

                  Please note, I don't accuse you of not knowing the difference (though I think diji probably was). I'm accusing you of making a language choice that hindered your point. I seek not to illuminate you, but to join you in illuminating the world. This is what i mean when i say we are not your enemy. We are your friend. We are your partner. Remember, I believe in you. As I said above I believe in you to rise above the shackles of your so claimed common phrase, and create something far greater.

  • Greed and selfishness mainly.

  • +3

    Scumbag = Looters in the bushfire areas.
    How can a human being ever justify to themselves they have the right to break into peoples houses who have been fire damaged or evacuated. Are they that desperate for drug money that they just "need to do it" ?

    • On my top news stories the other day a couple stole a bushfire charity tin at Macca's . I'm sure they will get the Scum with the clear CC TV Macca's provided and the media's love for covering bushfire victim crimes no matter what the scale .

      Edit got em :)

      https://www.cessnockadvertiser.com.au/story/6575636/arrests-…

      • Home some people do not understand the concept of surveillance is beyond me.

        • -1

          If they are from Drouin and stole in Frankston, 90+% of the time they get away with it because it only gets shared in the local area. Anywhere the trains go, these peasants go. Posting on local groups etc. Gets nothing because no one recognises them.

          In this case nationwide attention smashed them!

      • Another similar case from a grog shop in Richmond . Has CC TV footage , staff managed to grab the tin back .

  • +2

    It has been variously estimated that somewhere around 5% of the population are psychopaths. That is, they can only see things from their own perspective. They want it, therefore they will have it…

    • It is deeply unsettling that 5% of the population (385 million people) are walking around with this kind of mindset.

  • -1

    Unfortunately there is no universal explanation for conservatives.

  • because of of role model politicians

  • +2

    Because humans evolved to live in small tribes of around 100-150 people. Everyone knew each other and if you stole from others you would face serious consequences such as excommunication or death. You needed to contribute to the tribe to survive. This tended to keep selfish tendencies in check.

    In modern societies we are completely disconnected from one another and so screwing over someone else leads to direct gain for the individual, with a fairly low chance of negative consequences (depending on the crime of course). Selfish tendencies are largely unchecked, and are up to the individuals own morals to self regulate instead.

    Online scams like this present a chance for personal gain with little chance of consequences. Selfishness will win.

  • Because we are competing for limited resources. We know it consciously or subconsciously, so we take the view that we horde as much as we can for ourselves and let the others starve.

    Blame capitalism and overpopulation….but actually its deeper than that. We all compete on another level too. We want the best mate, so we compete to have the best peacock feather display. We even see fights to the death over a particular mate, just like the antelopes. So at the end of the day, blame sex.

    Maybe the church is right. Maybe sex is a sin afterall. haha.

    • Deeper than that, we are communal and we help each other. I think what you're saying is bull.

  • Shhhh listen to the chant… Come in sucker!
    Why are you doing this over and over again

  • What you have described is the attitude of every member of the LNP. A self entitlement bestowed on them at birth to take whatever they like.

    Australia was never previously like this but they have trained the population to become ever more greedy, self centered and to not to care about your fellow citizen, only trend on people and accumulate wealth. Hence the rise in the general number of scumbags.

    • Cool story

    • I agree with what you're saying. Unfortunately you're posting this on a site designed around consumerism and that unintentionally promotes negative capitalistic trends such as scalping and hoarding.

      Logical based thinking, unaffected by the mass consumerist culture (or at least aware of it) knows that long-term happiness is not brought upon by material objects, but rather creating and achieving alongside and for each other. We're a community-driven species at our core.

      But like I said at the beginning, both you and I are no exceptions as, to some extent, we partake and promote the culture that creates divide.

  • +1

    Unless it has changed, digitally delivered goods are prohibited on eBay. I would avoid making too much noise with eBay otherwise you could risk lose of your account.

    Been there done that (having my own account suspended 10+ years ago)

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