Losing out after winning an online auction - NYTimes.com

I’VE ventured into the world of online auctions only about a half-dozen times, so I’m pretty much an amateur. But it has been mostly a successful experience: I felt the thrill of outbidding and winning, and my items arrived on time and in good shape.

I had a few problems — a desk I won never arrived and my inquiring e-mail messages were never answered. But since I had paid by credit card, I challenged the payment and lost no money in the end...