I was wondering if the the average consumer of online goods has any recourse if they get ripped off by an online merchant.

Is there any way to "reach out and touch" the merchant who rips you off?

Yup, I ordered something and weeks later nothing has been sent to me, all emails blown off with not a single reply, and it appears, so far, that I'm out $135.00.

Any suggestions as to how best to handle this, other than accepting the loss?

If you know what state they are out of you can call the AG's office.  They normally have an internet fraud division.  

Hopefully you used a credit card to pay - then all you have to do is call the CC company and they'll charge back and give you a refund.

If you bought on ebay or used Paypal, they'll also refund your money.

But if you mailed some guy a check or money order, you're screwed.  You'll know better next time.

Alot of the internet companies are like that. 50 days for a stock to be sent to me from ultimate weapons system who never answered my emails and lied to me on the phone twice.  Popguns.com bastards are up to the 33 day mark for shipping a new bulb for a M3 to me.  I'm gonna call them tomorrow and see what's up. my advice:  wait at least 35 days, then call, call again after 5 days if nothing and threaten to talk to the BBB and post warnings to everyone about the site and send them links.  POST EVERYWHERE they will be out of business soon with such a bad rep.  Screw 'em.  the only online companies that have treated me right were SWFA and Blackhawk industries, all the others can blow.

[):)]
NSF

Best bet is always use a credit card and go through dealers that have a good, or mostly good rep on this board.  I can vouch for SWFA as well, once they got my ReflexII in stock they mailed it the same day.

                  [uzi]