Dear eBay Queen: What Do I Do With An eBay Stalker?

Dear eBay Queen:

I do not know what to do.  I have been selling on eBay 10 years.  I have a 100% positive feedback rating and a Top Rated Seller. I also work part time at a day care near my home.  I had a buyer purchase a lot of Vintage Barbie clothes from me in October 2019.  The total bill was 79.88 with shipping.  I insured the package and had tracking on it.

In early November the buyer contacted me and told me they did not receive the package.  I gave them the tracking number to let them know that it had shipped and was delivered and the day it was delivered.  The buyer opened a Item Not Received request.  I uploaded the tracking and 5 or so days later the buyer called eBay and eBay closed the request in MY FAVOR, but refunded the buyer anyway  with eBay funds.  The buyer promptly left me negative feedback (which was removed by eBay).  I blocked the buyer from purchasing from me, because who wants a buyer that does that?

Fast forward to December 31st.  I listed about 80 new doll and Barbie listings.  I guess my buyer figured out she was blocked because she then messaged me and was ticked she was blocked.  I didn’t know what to do, or how to respond.  I called eBay Customer support and they told me I did not have to do anything, so I did not respond.   She kept messaging me, so I finally told her this:

I am sorry you are unhappy, I don’t know what to say.  I spoke to eBay and they told me that

 ‘I can block whoever I want to.’ I don’t think it is fair that your item shows delivered, eBay gave you a refund and you left me a negative.  Please do not message me again.  I will not respond and I will report you to eBay.

I have a Linked In, Instagram and Facebook.  She stalked me ON EVERY ONE of those social media accounts.   I figured this out because Linked In sent me an message saying I had new profile views.  When I went to see who, she was one of the people.  She liked and un-liked the same photo on Instagram and Facebook.  I received a notification that she did both of those things.  The worst thing she did, is write an email to the day care I work for.  I was just called into my boss’ office and while they thought it was funny, and did not care, it was really embarrassing.  My boss offered to send a reply and I asked them not too.   Is there anything I can do?

Casey; Amarillo

 

 

 

Dear Casey:

Holy Smokes.  It makes you wonder what kind of time these people have?   Have you blocked her on each of your social media accounts?  Did you report her behavior to eBay?   While you may never know what actions eBay takes, they will do something.  The last thing I know to do is pay an attorney to send her a cease and desist letter.   This might cost anywhere from $50. and $300. for the letter

The only thing I know personally about people who stalk on the internet is, if you don’t give them anything to look for, they usually stop looking.   Sometimes responding can just make it worse.  It sounds like your employer gave it the exact amount of energy you should.   I would let it go for now, but if she continues I would seriously consider asking a lawyer to step in.

Remember people stalk on the internet because it is safe for them.   You can say whatever you want because 99 percent of the time nobody is going to do anything about it.  It is a exciting for the stalker to get people’s attention, especially people the stalker thinks is more powerful than themselves.   Being mean is sometimes a byproduct of being  bored.  Always remember bored people can be very dangerous.  They put their energy toward being mean instead of selling on eBay. 😉

I’ve had my fair share of internet stalkers, some that admired me and some that disliked me.  I only had to get a restraining order one time.

I found a couple of articles about stalking.

HERE  The Difference between Internet creeping and stalking   and HERE  Prevent and Defend Internet stalking

Always remember if you feel unsafe to call 911.  I am really sorry this is happening to you.

 

Crazy eBay item of the week:  HUGE Vintage Barbie Collection Mod TNT BARBIE & Clothing, Accessories & Case Lot SOLD $1376.00  You can check it out here

eBay Queen: I’m Being Stalked On eBay! I’m Not Selling Stolen Items!

Dear eBay Queen:

I am flipping out! Friday evening, I received a message from a person that I assumed had bought something from me, but after closer inspection they had not.

“I just wanted you to know that I’ve been looking at your items, and I believe they were stolen from my partner and mine’s home.  I’m not saying you are a thief, but quite possibly you bought them from a thief.  I have attached photos from the stuff I have missing.  I hope that you will return them to me as soon as possible.”

I responded:

“Thank you for your email, I purchased most of the items in question from Goodwill and a few different garage sales.  I am sorry your items were stolen. I don’t think I have any of your items.”

The lady messaged this back to me:

“Well, I can see you want to play dirty pool.  I will be contacting the Emporia Police straight away.  I did a bit of research on you and the things you are selling.  I have sent a message to eBay to let them know you either steal merchandise, OR you are buying stolen merchandise.  You should be ashamed of yourself!  I’ve worked long and hard for my things.  It is not fair that you’ve come along to steal them!  I will not take this laying down!  You will pay for your actions.”

I have called the Emporia, Kansas police, and they all but laughed at me.  They were not mean, but they pretty much told me the person was a loon.  The police did not have any record of this person being robbed.  Over the weekend the woman contacted me through Facebook and my Youtube eBay online vlog.  My mother and sister instant messaged me because this woman sent them a message on Facebook. I contacted our local police and they said there was not much they could do about it. This is my family’s ONLY source of income.  My mom and sister messaged the woman back and said they didn’t know her and then blocked her.  I messaged her and asked her to give me a list of things that were stolen.  She sent me a message back and WANTS to COME TO MY HOUSE!  I declined, and told her that I have the receipts from Goodwill, TJ Maxx, and 2 antique stores for 90% of the items she has said were stolen. I offered to make copies and send them to the Emporia Police in care of her name.  She sent me a long list of profanities.

What should I do? Do you think I should contact eBay?   I just want to sit down and cry!  My mother is now calling 2 and 3 times a day freaking out over everything.  What should I do?

 

Freaked Out

 

Dear Freaked:

Oh my goodness! You’ve come across a real winner there!  Since you have all or most of your receipts for the items, I think I would scan the receipts in and load them onto the eBay message you were sent by the person.  In this receipts message I would say something like this:

I am very sorry that you and your partner were robbed, I can assure you that I did not have any part in it.  I have contacted the Emporia Police, and offered copies of my receipts. They told me they did not need the receipts, because they did not have any record of __insert the person’s name__ being robbed.  Since the police did not want my receipts, I have attached scans of them to this message.  I hope that you do receive your items back, and once again I am sorry this has happened to you.”

I would not, under any circumstances meet this person at your home, or really anywhere but the police station.  It is completely up to you if you want to contact eBay.  I probably would, just so that I could report this buyer.  Make sure that you refer them to the message where you have uploaded proof of your purchases.

 shuttlelooms

Strange eBay Item of the Week: Item #:181703816330. While setting up our church rummage sale, I came across one of these. It’s interesting watching people come up with an explanation for what it might be. Lot of 7 Vintage 16 Loom Boat Shuttles Wood w/ Cop Skewer Bobbins 2 Eye Feed  SOLD: $59.99.