Some time ago, I purchased a bandsaw on eBay from Bay Machine tools in Florida. I asked them for a price delivered, and paid them the total with PayPal. A couple of weeks ago I get an invoice from Central Freight, wanting payment for the freight charges. In it is a photocopy of the bill, clearly showing the "Prepaid" box checked.
So I called them and they said that it was a "legal reversal of freight charges": because the seller had not paid their bill, I was responsible as the consignee. They offered to let me talk to the collection department (but I got an answering machine).
Now, I have no intention of paying this, and will not. I have no contract - written, verbal, or implied - with Central Freight. I did not co-sign on the promissory note that Bay Machinery made to them, nor am I their guarantor in any respect. Had I been asked to be, I would have checked references at least, or would have paid the freight charges from my end, and not given it to them.
How common is this? Does Central Freight just hope I will pay without question? I have nothing but sympathy for them, having taken a promise from what turns out to be dead beats, however, "I have nothing but sympathy for them", no freight charges. Those already got paid to Bay Machine.
So I called them and they said that it was a "legal reversal of freight charges": because the seller had not paid their bill, I was responsible as the consignee. They offered to let me talk to the collection department (but I got an answering machine).
Now, I have no intention of paying this, and will not. I have no contract - written, verbal, or implied - with Central Freight. I did not co-sign on the promissory note that Bay Machinery made to them, nor am I their guarantor in any respect. Had I been asked to be, I would have checked references at least, or would have paid the freight charges from my end, and not given it to them.
How common is this? Does Central Freight just hope I will pay without question? I have nothing but sympathy for them, having taken a promise from what turns out to be dead beats, however, "I have nothing but sympathy for them", no freight charges. Those already got paid to Bay Machine.