Serious issues

[ozzmonaut]

I hope this is the right forum. If not please don't delete it, maybe just move it. It is craigslist related but also bicycle related.
Ok, so I posted a three-wheel bicycle on craigslist, and it was in pretty shoddy shape but $75. I received a call from a woman seeking one for an elderly friend of hers who lives nearby (supposedly). I live in Mount Airy, NC, and the elderly woman supposedly in East Bend, maybe 25-30 minutes away. However this woman is in Michigan or thereabouts, and if her cell phone number is correct for her address then this is true. We struck a deal and after a few conversations about the bike, I agreed to give my address (my biggest mistake ever)so the other woman could googlemap and come get the bike. But then she asked me to perform work on it for an extra charge. Then wanted more work for more money, but not much. I explained that the bike would not be ready by Thursday a.m. the agreed meet time. She said not to worry, that a guy she new could fix it and just to undo the work I did and he'd come give me the $60. I explained that I could not. She began texting me constantly saying that we had a verbal agreement, threatening court, lawyers, police, etc. Well now she says the man and 2 of his friends are coming to give me $60 for the bike at 10a.m. Thursday morning. I am capable of protecting myself here, in fact more than capable unless they turn out to be bulletproof, but I don't want this to escalate so I contacted the police who are not interested to say the least. This lady is really going nuts. Claims she records our conversations and saves texts. I explained that the deal is no more since I have performed the work it will be sold for a higher cost. Any ideas? Don't think I can really get in trouble. Anyone heard of scams related to this activity? More worried about 3 angry guys knowing my address. Have to be worried about property damage for a long time. I hope they do show so I can call the police to ID them so we can make sure they stay away. Plus I don't want to be forced to drastic measures. Any help is appreciated, plus please don't criticize. I will never do a CL sale at home ever again, I promise.

 

[CCR]

If I were you I wouldn't sweat it, keep records of all that was said but it sounds to me like you have a verbal contract that the deal is off :lol: don't deal from home anymore if that's the crowd lookin at what your sellin.

 

[ozzmonaut]

Thanks, I learned a serious lesson here. I haven't done many CL deals at all and when I have it was with people who were more upstanding. The bike has been moved, and for all intensive purposes does not currently exist. "Transferred to an unknown party". Can't wait for 10a.m to see what kind of loonies show up, if any. It cost $100-$150 to serve a civil suit, and with no previous exchange of money or goods, I'd hope I could get through it without a lawyer.

 

[Sinner4]

Wow. Don't know what to say. Nothing on paper, no contract no deal. There are a bunch of crazy's out there for sure. If they show up with 3 guys, make sure you have 6. Hopefully nothing will happen. Also make sure you call her asap and tell her the bike isnt for sale and get it on tape and make sure she knows that she is being recorded.

 

[ozzmonaut]

I have texts of correspondence where I have explained that I will no longer sell her the bike. I assume texts can be doctored but so can recordings. I am not going to call her now that she has gone this far. I tried to be helpful since it was apparently for an elderly person unable to do the repairs, even using parts that I didn't want to. I'm not going to undo a full day of work to hand the bike to some guys who I have no deal or correspondence with. She must be bluffing! 3 guys on call to force a bicycle from the hands of a grown man at the drop of a hat? The redneck mafia?! I explained that even if I undid my work, the bike would be left in pieces and need more work. She said the 3 guys were coming to "collect the pieces". They might leave missing some pieces of their own if they try. Seriously though, I can't imagine 3 guys all willing to break several trespassing and assault laws, possibly even B&E, just to get a basketcase bike for $60. Now a shut-in nutty enough to serve me with a civil suit to try and prove a point?...I can see that happening.

 

[mikeeebikey]

You find them also, thankfully it's not just me~!

Check your local laws(state) most allow 3 phone calls before it's considered stalking. Text, e-mail, and such are really hard to prove, can be "doctored," and a verbal agreement is as good as the handshake and witnesses are.

I don't think firepower will win this battle(yet) but a good strong, "GTFO!" might be what needs to be heard.
Just think, someone married the crazy lady, he probably cannot wait for a reason to get out of the house! So don't be suprised what you get at 10:00 am! Guy might have a case of beers!

EDIT* If you were not told of the recording and it was made I am betting that is a FELONY in N.C., or any other state.

 

[ozzmonaut]

This lady lives in Michigan and was negotiating for an elderly lady, but claims to have friends from when she lived here. I did eventually agree to sell it with a few repairs at a higher cost, but she never gave me time to complete them and wants me to just undo them and sell the bike as it originally was. But I'm not going to spend more time to not get paid. And now it is just principle. Trying to attack someone who went out of the way to help you doesn't make sense. And what could she gain by taking me to court if the bike no longer exists? Is there a court-imposed fine for breaking a verbal agreement which she also broke? With no bike there is no "win" for her in the case. She might be able to make me pay her court fines which is the only part, legal-wise, that worries me. But I would think it would be a difficult case. Even if I had agreed to sell it and flatout changed my mind, I don't see it going in her favor. For the purchase of physical property I believe a signature is required in order to signify a contractual agreement. If anybody knows otherwise please chime in. D-day begins in 5hrs 19 min :lol:

 

[mikeeebikey]

If the woman in Michigan recorded anything without the other parties consent it is a Felony under Michigan law. I lived in Michisuck most my life. I have been divorced there, I also know stalking laws there, if she has called 3 times since you told her to desist, it's a misdomenor, if she sends someone to your house after you told her no, it's a felony for all parties involved on that side.
Call law enforcement if they show up.

 

[yoothgeye]

Sounds to me like a lot of baloney, I expect 10am to come and go (1.5 hours!) with no incident.

 

[Uncle Stretch]

I drove two hours to buy a bike that had a nexus 7 speed. I paid $200 for the bike. I changed out the 7 speed
for a coaster and ran it on CL for $200. It was a nice bike with really good parts. I forget the brand. I tried looking
it up online and there was no information on the brand. The guy said he bought it at a sporting goods store in
Wichita Falls. Anyway this woman sent 20 emails and at the end said stuff about my upbringing because I was
lying about the brand of bike. It was my fun thing to do every morning to answer her silliness. She threatened
lawsuits for false advertising and anything she could. You can work yourself up to a heart attack. Don't because
there are crazies everywhere. You get to protect yourself and if you don't catch them if they do something,
then that is why you have insurance.

 

[yoothgeye]

25 minutes...

 

[rydr1]

you didnt do anything wrong. Sounds to me like scam artists.

If anyone does show and gets nasty, just keep them and yourself within your property and anything that happens is self defense. Hopefully they dont show because who wants to go through that trouble anyways?

 

[yoothgeye]

7 minutes...

 

[ozzmonaut]

I'm holed up in my underground shelter. Is the world still turning? I had a feeling it was far-fetched. Another thing that worries me is her initial desire to get my address. With just my address and phone number , what other information can she get? My cell is plain, no smart phone, no net connection. I don't think she can really get anything. But to be so ridiculous over $15, it seems like she needed me to correspond, as if my answering her text would help her achieve someting. The funny thing is when I took the bike elsewhere last night, I received a restricted call, answered and there was no response. My friend said to keep an eye on my accounts, as with just the number and address she might have access to my SS# and other info, if she's crafty enough. I know that from my address she can see where my home was financed since it isn't paid off. I'm just hoping this wasn't a scam to get banking info. Hackers will do anything to get any little bit of personal info they can. Apparently she thinks my name is Rick, but if she pulls my address on public record she will have my full name. I know I worry too much, but this is just too strange to be nothing.

 

[user 135]

Many people have this "Sue you" attitude. When reality hits it is not worth there time or their attorney's time. Hopefully this will all end without a hitch.

I do sell at my house but never give my address ahead to time. I give the general area/cross streets, then instruct them to call when they are close to the appointed time for the address.

 

[ozzmonaut]

Autozone is right around the corner and not only can I get there very quickly, I can ride a bike there and walk home if I want to. I think they will become my new sales spot. Luckily no more contact from her. I'm guessing she feels kind of silly right now. Either that or she's on a forum somewhere ranting about how she is in the right :lol:

 

[ozzmonaut]

She just texted warning me that if I want to avoid court I will deliver the bike to the elderly woman's house but will receive the $75 I originally wanted. I guess she really is clinically insane. I texted her that I would love to waste gas to lose money on a bike and risk my safety by delivering it to an unknown residence under unknown circumstances, but I'm just swamped with other bad decisions right now.

 

[yoothgeye]

She's got nothing, so you better give her nothing. Tell her you have contacted the police, they have her number and address and if she continues to harass you then you will give them the word. She is insane.

 

[ozzmonaut]

I'm not even going to reply. This is her first text for the day. I think she is starting to tire. It's over. I just figured I'd share that text to illustrate for others who are thinking of conducting a CL sale at their home. PSA: THIS CAN HAPPEN TO YOU

 

[user 135]

Did you add a $75 delivery fee

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