Complaint Review: Estatedoctor Irvin Clark

I've seen several other reports on estatedocter selling fake items. A scan through the Ebay feedback shows a lot of complaints about fake items and refunds not being issued. I thought I'd tell my story.

I won an Ebay auction for what was described as a "Nice Working Railroad Lock And Key", in July 2006. Estatedoctor said he was assigned to liquidate an estate. The images showed what looked like a nice brass heart shaped PRR (i.e. Pennsylvania railroad) cast back railroad lock. Upon receiving the lock, I noticed it didn't look/function quite right for a railroad lock. A quick Internet search sadly informed me that the lock was fake, not worth a fraction of what I paid for it (payment was made to Irvin Clark). I notified estatedoctor that the item was fake, pointed to two Internet sources that proved it, and requested a refund. I got an automated response stating estatedoctor was out of town doing mission work. After several days, and more emails from me asking what I should do, I get an email from Ebay saying Estatedoctor was asking for a refund of Ebay fees because I was sending the item back (keep in mind that I have not received any direct communication from estatedoctor). I sent the item back and requested a full refund. The item was received and signed for by A. Clark. After a couple more requests I finally got a refund to my Paypal account from estatedoctor.

Things to note...
The situation sounds very similar to other accounts, such as being out of town, liquidating an estate, etc.
Estatedoctor sold ANOTHER fake PRR lock on Ebay BEFORE I had sent mine back, but AFTER I had informed him that it was fake. He used the same exact images in the ad. I'm using "he" to refer to estatedoctor, but there is some speculation that it is actually a women, or a man and wife team.

I initially thought this was a case of estatedoctor just not knowing the PRR railroad lock was fake. But after seeing estatedoctor sell another one AFTER being informed it was a fake, and considering all the negative feedback with similar details of fake items, I don't think that's the case. Beware!

If you've been defrauded:
1) File a complaint with Ebay.
2) File a complaint with Paypal if you used them.
3) File a complaint (fraud charges) with your credit card if they are tied to Paypal.
4) File a complaint (fraud charges) with the Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Good luck!

Jeff
Raleigh, North Carolina
U.S.A.