Pastor Jim & Wife Norma McCutchan Assembly Of God Church Asked me to list cars for sale on my ebay account and not pay the listing fees $101.50 Creston Iowa

Now my rebuttal my not be worth much because I am the son of the above mentioned people, but even so, I know my parents well and have never known them to be con-artists. In fact I have seen them bend over backwards for people and spend what little money they have to help out anyone in need.

I am "the powers that be" that found this report and forwarded it to them. I am the one that got after them, not the church. I know when I contacted them they seemed genuinely shocked because they stated the lady had volunteered to do this for them for free and only after the fact did she ask for money.

My parents are in their upper 60's and not very well versed with computers or the internet, let alone the filing fees of EBay (my father doesn't hardly know how to turn a computer on). It was after my explanation to them that they realized that the money she spent was real. Until that time, they thought this lady was trying to take them for a ride after the fact.

As for the posh house my parents live in, up until a year ago this building was owned by Creston Assembly of God. It was a parsonage and was not owned by my parents. The house was build in the late 1800's, and has some issues, the kitchen is sub 1970's and the lot is real small, on the market it is worth aprox mid 70k (check the records for houses sold on that street), if that is extravagant, then what do they call homes in the James edition?

The church has since sold the house to them for a great discount because my father has given his life to them for the past 17+ years at a salary of under $20,000 a year (without benefits or retirement). If it hadn't been for my mothers teaching job, they would have never been able to keep up. I guess the thing that gets me is that this man and woman have dedicated their life to people that are down and out and have been painted as criminal. I cannot stomach that and had to say something.

As for the other people that have made comments here, you are best to be reminded that there are always two sides of the story and you have acted only knowing the one side. I would like to say shame on you, but it happens all the time and people don't change much. I will not speak badly about Donna as I know nothing except what she wrote above.

I have not asked my parents about the claim that my father sold it to a EBayer after the auction closed. I seriously doubt this claim because if Donna was the one that was listing the auction then she would be the one with all the information. Did someone contact her and want to buy the vehicles outside of the auction? She knows that violates the terms of services (my parents would NOT know this). Did she pass on this information? If not, then how did my parents sell it to one of the "leads"? Makes me question some integrity here.

I totally agree with the person above and have stated the same to my parents. Do not offer to sell/buy anything on ebay for anyone. I told them next time someone offers to give them a free service to ask for it in writing (they probably wont because they are such trusting people) that way this will never happen again.

Thank you everyone for your support in this matter and letter writing. It has been over a yr this has happened but I finally was paid. The pastor also wrote on his check he paid this bill in protest as he was under some kind of assumption I was doing this as a free service to him. Not sure where he came up with that but he only paid when the church got after him about it and never responded to me or my letters. But at least I was reimburse for some of the expenses I had put out. Thank you.

http://cm.ebay.com/cm/ck/1065-29296-2357-0?uid=487893465&site=0&ver=LCA080805&item=220144676337&lk=URL

http://cm.ebay.com/cm/ck/1065-29296-2357-0?uid=487893465&site=0&ver=LCA080805&item=220144697036&lk=URL

Here are the Ebay listings of both cars. I still have not gotten the Pastor or his wife to answer me or pay for the listings.

I used to go to this church and the Pastor's main focus revolves around money and making people feel guilty if they do not tithe the maximum amount. The church is worn down but his house is quite upscale in this town. You figure it out! I did not like attending service there because it reminded me more of a cult than a church the way it was being managed. I hope you get your money from him but I would not hold your breath if I were you.

Hi Donna,

I'm an ebay seller and buyer. I am also a frequent responder on ebay's Answer Center. One of the common suggestions we make is this:

Do not sell for anyone else.

What you've experience is not uncommon when ebay sellers sell for family or friends. We often advise sellers to teach other person how to set up an account and sell for themselves because of this very thing.

Unless you have something in writing that says what is expected, who pays what, etc., never sell for anyone again.

You would have a valid reason to take the pastor or the church to small claims court if there was a written agreement for the fees. I'm a church person myself and have great respect for those in ministry but when a pastor takes advantage of someone, he is no longer worthy of that respect and should be treated according to his deed.

I hate to hear about pastors who do things like this because it makes those who don't go to church think all pastors are like this.

Donna

On your behalf, I did a little letter writing and with any luck, I hope to get someones attention. I have a real feeling that this thread will be read by those with some influence.

I myself have 4 children and so I feel for you; trying to do a good deed
and having it hurt your budget effects the whole family.

Good deeds should feel good.

At any rate, I pray for a happy resolve to this.

Forgot to add in my report that the cars have believed to have been sold after the auction ended from leads of my ebay listing. Thank you, Donna