posted on February 8, 2001 01:19:42 AM new
Hello, and thanks for reading everyone. I've got a situation at the moment which involves a chronically late paying bidder, who was informed before and after his winning bid exactly what the payment deadline was. He didn't respond to the NPB alert, and I later rec'd credit for our unsuccessful auction. Only after all this did I receive his VERY late payment, so I returned his money. Well, he didn't like it, and has made some threats of bodily harm. Graphically so.
In addition to contacting safeharbor and this bidder's ISP with the threatening email he sent me, what are a seller's options in this situation? The bidder's local police? Is this kind of out and out threat a misdemeanor, felony, etc? Any and all advice will be gladly considered, and thanks in advance for any tips.
posted on February 8, 2001 05:47:11 AM new
You have his local address?
Print out the emails and take them to YOUR local police and file a complaint (threats of bodily harm are illegal) and ask them to notify HIS local cops of the threats and complaints. DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER - cops HAVE TO ACCEPT a complaint.
Also mail the printouts to HIS local police, letting them know the threats have been reported to your local cops and ask them to please rem,ind ther man that just because it's the internet does not mean he can do by email wnat is illegal by phone.
posted on February 8, 2001 05:53:24 AM new
This sot of thing is getting posted more frequently. I would contact the police both at your location and the town were the bidder lives.
It is usually rather difficult to get police to take this sort of thing seriously. They hear too many that are just blowhards venting. If you go to the trouble to get a personal protection order they will pay more attention.
I would be a lot more concerned with it if they are within a day's drive of you.
I would be a lot more aware of locking up and looking things over when you come home to make sure nobody is waiting for you.
I have a silent alarm and when I come in the front door I can see an indicator light by my computer that will be lit if the motion sensors have been set off. I had it put there because you can see it from the front door before you come in and it gets lost among all the other leds on the computer/printer/DSL modem etc unless you know what to look for.
posted on February 8, 2001 06:15:09 AM new
Consider exercising your Second Amendment rights. As much as I esteem law enforcement, they are under no obligation to assign someone to protect you 24 hours a day.
posted on February 8, 2001 07:59:01 AM new
Another EXCELLENT reason to NEVER give out home address!! I rent out a private mail box and the cost is less than $10 a month; well worth it! (Well, actually mine is free because I work there part time, but it is still sooo worth it if you have to pay)
posted on February 8, 2001 09:52:01 AM new
I also rent a private postal mailbox. I did it when someone wanted to buy 3 pairs of my 6 yo's tights. They were like new and we had paid a lot for them so my wife figured we'd get enought to make it worth stuffing them in an envelope. when this guy never paid we looked at other things he'd bid on and that was the end of giving auction winners our home address. Those mapping programs work very well they put the dot right were we live!!
I also think this may be an issue for the FBI if the guy lives in a different State. (not of mind either) search the net for a site and I think you will find something under .gov -hang on I'll do it---I don't see anything easily but I think the FBI are the ones to call. You will need the email including the header that contains all the routing information. If you have the persons name and address that is great -- the email is the most important proof. And the fact that he sent you a check or something.
Good luck!
Regards
Prepare for the worst but hope for the best!! Spuddy98
posted on February 8, 2001 03:17:46 PM new
Hello again everyone, and a sincere thank you for all the great suggestions. At the moment, I'm still waiting for a response from safeharbor and the threatener's ISP. The email I received was sent to both of the above with full headers. As far as law enforcement entities are concerned, I've
been holding off for the moment to see how my contacts with safeharbor and the bidder's ISP
go. I hope I don't regret that decision, since the person is question is actually just
2 states away.
I'll keep everyone posted if I can, and I really hope this thing just blows over. I simply can't devote my time and emotions to this person, when I have business to consider
and many good bidders to keep happy.
Regardless of how this problem turns out, I'm grateful to all of you who are trying to help me. Maybe somewhere down life's road I can
return the favor under happier circumstances.
