"Learn to park. Consider this your 'Stupid Fine.' "

That was the overall advice from readers who weighed in on the latest Watchdog Watch. They had little sympathy for the person who got a parking ramp operator-issued ticket for parking over the line and taking up two places in the ramp.

As for the problem of having a driver's license unexpectedly scanned when going into a concert, several readers agreed with the music lover that it was an invasion of privacy that could lead to identity theft, while others thought it was no big deal.

This week, the Watchdog asks readers with expertise, experience and common sense to give their advice at blogs.twincities.com/watchdog about a stolen device and this deceptive promise: "The check is in the mail."

Problem 1. A St. Paul high school student's iPod was stolen from her at school. Two weeks later, she got an email from a man who had purchased it on eBay and who had figured out it was stolen. When the man reported the theft to eBay, he was instructed to send the iPod back to the seller; the seller then apparently resold it. The student's family has filed a police report and complained to eBay, but to no avail.

Questions to readers: Is it eBay's responsibility to help recover stolen goods when reported? Can the police help in this kind of situation?

Problem 2. A woman had her carpet cleaned, but apparently the cleaner had a problem with the machine and the whole process became time-consuming and messy. For her inconvenience, the company promised to refund her money, but it never seems to come, even though every time she calls, she's assured it's on its way.

Questions to readers: How can she make sure she gets her money back? Other than trial-and-error, how can she find a reliable carpet cleaner?