OK guys, need some help...

zef204

I was just contacted by third eBayer that experienced the same threats and violent retribution from a seller that I experienced them from. This guy is a low class A-hole. He sells cards that are ex as best as NM-MT and promises a refund if you aren't happy. He doesn't follow thru on that and when I asked, and these other people asked, he came back with assaults and it is real nasty stuff. I sleep with a .22 under my pillow so I wasn't exactly nervous, but when I contacted eBay about it 7 different times, nothing was done. My account ended up getting NARUed because I paid for 10 of his auctions through paypal under one of them. That was his way of "adjusting shipping." So eBay thought I ddin't pay and NARUed me.

Anywhooo, this guy is way off base with his verbal threats and since my buying id shows up in his feedback, this is the 3rd person to ask me if he threatened me.

His user id is gborak.

Here is a link to his auctions...

This guy is a grade A a-hole. Please let him know.

kingraider75

The guy has crappy feedback at 98.9 really. Did he put delivery confirmation on your stuff?? If not, It's free!! Not the best way to do things, but oh wells. He probably says nrmt on everything. Stay away.

zef204

<< <i>The guy has crappy feedback at 98.9 really. Did he put delivery confirmation on your stuff?? If not, It's free!! Not the best way to do things, but oh wells. He probably says nrmt on everything. Stay away. >>



I can deal with a card not being as described, happens everyday. But this guy has now threatened violence on a 3rd person that has asked me if he did the same to me. I sent all my e-mails he sent to me on to eBay and they didn't do anything. Does this guy have to actually hurt someone before they take notice?

Stone193

Zef
This guy's FB alone is enough to stay away isn't it?

Why deal with him?

Just curious.

mike

pandrews

i dont think much can be done about the physical threats, until the dude comes to your doorstep, but i'd certainly forward them to ebay just in case.. and im 99% sure he's just a pussie with a keyboard, with no intention of ever having to back up his threats.. the internet has created a whole new breed of tough-guy wannabe keyboard warriors.. heh

williplett

Wow Zef, I would just wash my hands of the situation and not look back. The guy has some anger issues and I know I won't be buying anything from him! The physical violence threats are probably all foam, no beer, but you never can tell. To bad Ebay doesn't do anything about it, but I have come to expect very little from them.

You just wonder about some people. I had won a lot of PSA 8 Topps for something like $10 a year or so ago. The guy gave me the run around and took about six weeks before I negged him and he sent the cards. Another bidder who was out about $10 also was e-mailing me asking about my experiences and excuses. This other bidder then gives me the seller's address and tells me that when he is on vacation in Florida in a few weeks, he was going to pay the guy a visit at his house! I couldn't believe that someone would get so bent out of shape over some cards! Especially mid grade 81 Topps. I actually got the impression that this guy was dead serious about making the day trip to this seller's house. I did my best to tell him that that probably wasn't the best course of action. I never heard whether or not the guy followed through on it or not.

zef204

<< <i>Zef
This guy's FB alone is enough to stay away isn't it?

Why deal with him?

Just curious.

mike >>

Mike,
You are right, and I should have known better.

But that he threatened me and I contacted eBay and that nothing was done is bad news. Now, that others contacted me because he is still upto the same games is intollerable of eBay. I forwarded them all the facts and e-mails, and they did nothing.

Feedback is one thing, as is bad customer service, but imagine going to return some towel rods the local hardware store because the wife says they are the wrong size/color/whatever. And the person at the counter says "I know where you sleep. This will not end."

Would you blow it off because your friend told you they were rude?

Stone193

Zef

I guess you answered my question - better to have stayed away.

But since you are involved - I can see dropping it and moving on.

But, if I were in a truculent mood, I would make copies of the "threatening emails" - ask the other buyers if they would forward you their threats - make copies of those - send them to one of the CEO's of ebay - certified, return receipt required - in the letter - I would just calmly state that they are "part" of the process of sales and that in the event of my demise, my wife will be able to sue ebay for about a hundred skabillion bucks!

And, I would tell them you were considering sending a copy to your State Attorney General's office and the FBI.

I would appeal to their sense of decency and the need that buyers feel safe and free from threats of this nature.

Other than that? I would get Pandrews on it pronto!
mike

williplett

I know what you are saying Zef, how unprofessional of the guy. Can you imagine sending your steak back to the kitchen because it was too rare and after your meal the cook meets you in the parking lot and tells you he got your address from your check and that he would be paying a visit later??

I have been threatened a few times through the years becuase of my job, but nobody has ever followed through. One of my guys retired after 29 years as a Sergeant and he was constantly threatened. Not one person ever followed through though. Might have been since he was the SWAT team leader and has a house full of heavy weapons?

DeutscherGeist

Sometimes ebay is responsive and other times they make my head scratch.

The fact that a few of you customers of this seller have banded together is a very good sign. It ought to give you some more validation and realize the seller is truely as you describe. He is just an A-hole, what can you expect. Sorry that all this happened to you.

DeutscherGeist

His feedback is such that one must avoid. Its the simple fact he has too many negatives. Anything below 99% should be avoided especially with the volume he deals with. He has a proven track record of irritating customers.

Lets say it was someone with 98% but has a volume of 100. He may have had a few deadbeats and nothing serious. The sample size is not large enough to rule this guy out as a reliable seller. But this guy that Zef is calling out has an established reputation of being a problematic seller.

98% sounds like the perfect grade on a Calculus or Trigonometry test, but it is failing in terms of Ebay.

onlyanumber

There was a story in the press several months ago about an Ebay 'bully'. I doubt it's the same guy, but to make a long story short, several buyers who got screwed on that sellers auctions complained to him and received threats both via email and over the phone (Yes the lowlife requested contact info from his unhappy customers through Ebay). Anyway, a bunch of buyers got together and contacted the low lifes local Police Department and charges were brought against the guy. If you still have this guys address, it may be a good idea to band together several of the threatened customers and start making calls. Ebay is useless until authorities contact them about a problem. Then they become helpful.

On a side note, I noticed this seller had some nice stuff listed the other day, but once I looked over to my trusty 'don't buy from' list pasted at eye level next to my monitor, I quickly changed my mind. I know I didn't get the advice from you, so someone else on these boards got screwed by this guy as well.

bsfastball

I would try discussing it with someone from ebay on the "live help" or "live chat" feature. They are generally very helpful.

DeutscherGeist

Here is the letter I wrote to him:


Hello,

Before I bid on any of your cards, I have a general question. You will have to pardon my candor, but after dealing with sellers who do not honor their refund policy, I will have to pose this question in order to make sure we are on the same page. This is no assumption or disrespect to you, but an issue of clarification. Basically, if I am unsatisfied with the condition of the cards, I can send them back for a full refund and give no further reason than a simple request? Is return postage paid?
I am sorry to ask such mundane questions but I am looking for a dealer to repeat my purchases from (for the long term). You spelled out your refund policy clear, but other sellers have had the same or similar policy yet do everything to prevent a refund. They feel they described something clearly, I say I strongly disagree and it goes back and forth. Let me know if you want me as a customer according to the kind of seller I want to do repeat business with.

Thanks,

Andre





This was his answer:





I offer full refund -no questions asked but do not refund the postage because I have to pay ebay listing and commission fees on the purchase.
sincerely gregg

DeutscherGeist

I guess he did not threaten me. I tried my best to write a non-offending letter and it played up to his good side. I am so surprised he is not honoring his refund policy.

GOODLIEU

First off as Panandrews stated most people who threaten some type of violence in Emails are nothing but cowards who hide behind the anonymity of their keyboards. But all States have laws controlling this type of behavior (In NY its called Aggravated Harassment) that include Telephone and Electronic messages that threaten and harass individuals and put them in fear for their safety. When faced with this remain calm and act professional. Gather your evidence of this abuse and notify the Police and Internet carrier that this individual uses also their are government agencies that can be contacted . Usually these type of notifications will not solve your problem immediately but as is the case with the individual mentioned in this thread they will continue to abuse others until they realize that everything they did will eventually bury them when a law enforcement agency in their area has a number of documented cases to bring them in for questioning.

Stone193

<< <i>I guess he did not threaten me. I tried my best to write a non-offending letter and it played up to his good side. I am so surprised he is not honoring his refund policy. >>


Andre
I guess this falls into the area of Psyche 101.

In general, if you can request something and be as polite and deferential as possible - never "accusing,"
you got a better chance of not setting the guy off.

Many people respond to "threats" or "pressure tactics" in kind - no one likes to be pushed around and wind up with a bruised ego.

Once the smoke clears, if ya want to send the guy a "what for" - hey, go for it!

mike

fiveniner

Consider the FB rating.That alone tells the true story of the seller.