Though some people do willingly pay for abuse, like dealing with the local post office, harassing and threatening your customers on eBay is most likely a bad way to do business. It may even lead the press to your front door, which is worse.
A San Diego television station traveled all the way to Cleburne, Texas for a surprise visit to an eBay seller who reportedly doesn’t take kindly to shipping questions. The alleged “eBay bully,” a.k.a., Frank Esquitin (known on eBay as Old School Riderz, Cool Cat Cycles, and Cool Cat Biker), as reported by 10News.com in San Diego, left a bone-chilling phone message to his potential customer.
“I know exactly where you f—ing live. E-mail me again and see what happens to your little b—- a–,” 10News reports of Esquitin, who allegedly called one household 37 times.
A Texas family joined in the criticism after the same seller harassed them. According to Cindy Burleson, Esquitin said, “I’m going to kill you. Scumbags like you shouldn’t be allowed to live.”
After complaints to the police went unanswered, KGTV made a trip to Texas to confront him. Esquitin would not answer the door. Further investigation revealed that the seller had an arrest record that included charges for drug possession, weapons violations, and (surprise) harassment.
The story illustrates the necessity of using caution when dealing with strangers on the Internet. As a general rule, don’t exchange personal information, read all you can about sellers through profiles, buyer reviews and recommendations, and report violations to eBay staff.
