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Time (and Money) Running Out in eBay Clock Lawsuit

Bankbreaking lawyer fees will not stop Mike Steadman from beating the wealthy Miami attorney

By Elena Schmidt

| Monday, May 24, 2010 | Updated 3:15 PM EDT

Time (and Money) Running Out in eBay Clock Lawsuit

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SAN JOSE, CA - FEBRUARY 24: A sign is posted outside of the eBay headquarters February 24, 2010 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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Over two years after posting the infamously costly negative feedback on eBay, Cape Canaveral business owner Mike Steadman, owes almost half the $15,000 damages he is being sued for, in attorney fees.

"Bad seller," said Steadman after purchasing a faulty time clock from attorney Elliot Miller. "He has the ethics of a used car salesman."

After emiller1313’s rating dropped to a staggering 98.6% (now 98.8%), the disgruntled seller figured to just to sue for damages to his commercial reputation.

When Steadman ran out funds to fight the fight, his attorney threw in the towel and quit.

Luckily, eBay-loving, Steadman-sympathizer Tony Hernandez will take the case on his behalf and seek dismissal, Florida Today.com reported.

"I didn't like the fact that he was being bullyragged into this lawsuit," Hernandez told Florida Today.com

Steadman’s comments are in accordance to eBay’s feedback damages policy. While the site doesn’t encourage words like “fraud” and “liar,” it allows any feedback that is not obscene or prejudicial.

Despite his not so flattering remarks and defamation suit filed against him, Steadman’s comments remain on Miller’s feedback profile along with one other negative comment.

eBay is reviewing the case, according to WFTV, who reported that past cases were generally dismissed.

While Steadman received his $44 refund of purchase and may likely prove victorious if history repeats itself, he remains at a big loss of $7,000 (over 150 useless time clocks!)