On July 31, 2016, I went to the site ETSY.COM which is an online site where sellers can offer their wares. I purchased a high end, expensive video card that was advertised from a seller operating under the company name Midwestpcwhares. I used PayPal. I had contacted the seller about whether the product was new and unused. He assured me it was. I put in an order for it. He stated that it would be sent ASAP and in a couple days, I received a message that the product was sent. There was indeed a tracking number provided through the United States Postal Service.
I checked the tracking number but only received information that the USPS had been sent pre-shipping information that the package would be sent. After a few more days, and not getting the package, I inquired again from the seller about the delay. He stated that perhaps it was late because of the materials of which it was composed (Unlikely. It was a video card.). No further information was available from the post office indicating that the video card was sent or was in transit.
I called the post office in the city where the pre-shipping information was sent. They told me no package was sent. I am wondering why a tracking number is issued by the post office even before a package is actually sent. This seems to be a gredat way to scam people since I was under the impression that it was sent. The website also indicated "Your package has been shipped." Nothing was ever done except for obtaining a tracking number using pre-shipping information sent to USPS.
I have contacted PayPal and Etsy indicating that I have received no merchandise. Waiting to see if my charges can be erased. I suppose I should also contact USPS as this is mail fraud.