FAIR SHAKE

OnlineAuction.com -

I want to welcome you, and all OLA members, to Fair Shake! I signed up with OLA back in February, but have been busy with this site and the boycott (as well as working my regular part-time job and running our RV repair business) and have not had the time to list. I have every intention of listing many, many things in the upcoming Rummage Sale. I believe the Rummage Sale idea is the best one that any have come up with since eBay began to alienate its membership and we started leaving that site. For myself, the advertising your site is willing to commit to on behalf of your members is evidence that OLA WANTS their site to attract more buyers, increase traffic, and in turn sales. I would love to see other sites take the bull by the horns, so to speak, and make such a commitment.

I hope that you will continue to be a presence here at Fair Shake, and that you will invite your members to visit us and post information on their auction listings here: OUR MEMBERS' CURRENT AUCTION LISTINGS.

Karen, Dawn and OLA - I just want to toss out my own (humble) opinion, and you may all take it for whatever you like, or ignore if you choose.

Emotions are running EXTREMELY high these days. We all feel burned by the treatment we have received from eBay and the issue of customer support/customer service is definitely a hot button one because of it. I will state up front that have no idea what transpired because of this obviously unbalanced buyer that blueridge has been harassed by. It would be frustrating beyond imagination. Because I don't know all the facts, other than what has been stated here, it's hard to know what actually happened.

But it DOES sound as if this is an eBay problem that, for whatever reason, has singled you (blueridge) out to continue on another site (OLA). This sounds like a VERY determined individual who has some kind of personal beef. From what I am hearing, the issue has been resolved, so I'm not sure why all of this posting is here.

And blueridge you are absolutely correct, Fair Shake will NOT censor postings. We believe that adults should be able to censor themselves enough that it isn't necessary by anyone else. But I would make just one comment, for anybody who posts ANYWHERE on the internet, that the entire world may see what you have written and yes, you will have made your point, but who is it going to reflect on and in what way? My own PERSONAL opinion is that this is an issue that should not have been hashed out publicly. That is NOT a statement of "censorship" - if you choose to attempt to right any wrongs you feel have been made against you in an open forum, that is your right. But sometimes this will backfire and you may lose credibility.

We value ALL opinions and comments by anyone who chooses to state them here. That is why this forum is called FAIR SHAKE. It means "a way of treating someone that is fair" (The Free Dictionary). EVERYONE IS WELCOME on this site, and we hope they will always feel that way.

Debbie

If a Buyer is suspended by the Fraud Department, can they sign up under a different ID?

Right now yes they can. And 2nd offense will create a ban of that ID and possibility of temp IP ban. We are working with a third party to bring some legal recourse for cases such as "stalkers from another site" and NPB.

Why did BlueRidge have to change his ID?

Blueridge posted:
Let me say thank you for responding to my concerns recently when my account was used fraudulently by a disgruntled eBay member.You quickly helped me change my user ID and removed all negative feedback. I applaud you for that.


I would have to go with what Blueridge posted earlier in this thread.

Reading If problem persists I would suggest local law enforcement does not make me feel warm and fuzzy about joining. Is this really the type of response you intended to give?

I suggested local law enforcement if the abuser persists in "harassing" blueridge as a way to get the abuser to stop. whether in real life or on the internet, wouldn't you seek help from the authorities?? And bringing this up 2 weeks after Abuser was banned from our site gives the impression it is still going on.

Hello OnlineAuction!

Thank you for clarifying. See you May 1st!

Let me make this clear one last time.

<b>I did NOT know this issue had been resolved!!! How could I know? I was never informed, my emails were NOT answered, he still shows up on member search. How could I possibly know it had been resolved given all that?</b>

When you don't get an issue resolved, you branch out and seek answers elsewhere. Is that not what you are all doing with the eBay boycott? Seeking other means to be heard to get your issues answered? How do you see this as any different?

If this buyer has indeed been suspended, then I am very happy to hear that, and I thank you and am grateful, but my confusion lied in the fact that I was never informed and never knew. I do NOT have a crystal ball.

I posted user was suspended in 3rd post of this thread. Then replies after that gave the impression it was still going on. I'm glad its not, but if abuser does come back, there are Law enforcement agencies you can report them to. And I am reposting that in your best interest in getting the abuser to stop.

Blueridge -

I understand completely, and I certainly would NOT want to be in your position in having to deal with such an obviously deranged buyer. To feel it wasn't being addressed certainly doesn't help. I am very glad to hear that it is resolved, though. You aren't the first story I've heard about this exact kind of thing, and it's very scary from a seller's standpoint. We're all just sitting ducks for this type of craziness. I wouldn't be surprised at all to learn that this person, whoever they are, has harassed others as well, especially if they are so determined as to keep creating new IDs just to continue their behavior.

I wish you well in the future - without this freak bothering you any longer!

Deb

Deb,

Thank you. That was my concern all along, that he be removed and now he is. I do hope he does not sign up with another ID as he stated he would and I hope other sellers are not bothered by him.

I have made all my auctions on OLA verified, which I really hated to do, but I felt if the crazies had to give a credit card number, they might think twice before bidding with no intention of paying and with only harassment in mind.

OLA, It would really help if members removed no longer showed up in member search. It would be less confusing. Thank you again to everyone who helped with this problem.

I too will be at the rummage sale, (if I am still welcome).

Good night to all.

Karen

Karen -

I too am glad to hear he was removed. And while I haven't yet (just because I've not been listing), I have EVERY intention of doing the same -- making all buyers be verified. It may cut down on sales, but that's the price I am willing to pay. Like I said, you are not the first one I've heard of being harassed in this way, and it's beyond me what is in these people's minds that they get a kick out of singling someone out to do this to. It boils down to pure terrorism. So we sellers have to do whatever we can to keep ourselves safe and still be able to be productive online.

I'm sure you are still welcome at the rummage sale (LOL!!). I think everybody understands how we ALL feel at this point in trying to ratchet sales back up to what we were accustomed to, on top of trying to get used to our new locations AND fight eBay in the process. Add this criminal behavior to your load, and it can be overwhelming, without question. I am just really glad to see it has been worked out.

Hope you kick butt at the rummage sale!! I need to get MINE in gear or I won't make it - and I definintely want to be a part of it!

Deb

Good luck to everyone at OLA in the rummage sale and I hope it increases sales overall. When someone can get a goodie for 99 cents they just might shop our stores to look for more to purchase so they can combine shipping.

I have long been in support of OLA and have stated publicly that I feel this rummage sale could put them on the map to becoming THE household auction company. Long overdue.

OLA rep - Please let Robert know that this situation has been handled and as such, I do not feel the need to call him. However, if he still wishes to speak to me, he may call back or email, and I will return his call as soon as possible. Thank you.

Peace everyone!!

Karen

That's good information to know, thank you. There have been several people who have been harassed through all this turmoil lately, and unfortunately, there will probably be more. It sounds like you have a very cooperative police department--I've heard some people say they got nowhere when they tried to contact them. But with your information, maybe people can be insistent that they want to file a report.

On a more positive note -

OLA made the following announcement today:

In showing support of all the hard work from our users creating & participating in the Rummage Sale, OnlineAuction.com would like to say thank you.

In appreciation … OnlineAuction.com is purchasing two new Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop computers, that will be auctioned off in the May 1st Rummage Sale. All money earned from this auction will be donated to charity – St. Jude Hospital.

Both Computers will start at .99 with NO RESERVE !!

mb -

Thanks for the information and ... WOW!! OLA is definitely trying its best to get us ALL up and running ... hats off to OLA!!!

Deb

Rodrick wrote:In response to the suggestion of local law enforsement from an OLA representative, I recently had a problem with a fraudulent seller on OLA, and while I was referred to an online reporting agency by OLA, I was instructed by my bank to first make a local police report. I happen to live across the street from a local police officer so I called upon him for the correct procedure. I was informed that you should always make a report of any offense occuring across state lines. No matter what the offense. Fraud, harrassment etc. Any communication across state lines, be it by email, phone, or mail, constitutes a Federal crime and by having it documented with a police report will serve as evidence in any and all future charges against the person involved. No documentation in a timely manner is regarded as nothing more than heresay and is inadmissable in any court. This does not neccessarily mean any prosecution will occur, but if any case is ever brought against the person, it is on record. Filing a report is simply a matter of calling in to local non-emergency number. They will come to your home in a matter of hours. Whole procedure takes less than one hour, or at least in my case, that's all it took. I was then contacted by the detective assigned to the case and receive regular updates on the case.

Rodrick

Rodrick, Welcome to Fair Shake and thank you for this very useful and timely information!

I too, have had a problem with someone sending me aggressive and unsolicited emails and eBay messages across state lines, and have screencapped all for use by the authorities, should it come to that. And conveniently, mine are one block away!

Hi All:

I am happy to see a forum for OLA - however: The thread has not started out on a positive note and therefore casts a dark shadow over OLA in general due to one person's bad experience with a stalker. The issue discussed was of a hostile personal nature and should have been discussed using PM rather than in an open forum. I, for one, found it offensive. Why not start another thread about "Stalker Issues - How to Resolve" or something a bit more diplomatic. Introducing a new site at FairShake by opening with hostile remarks is in bad form and unfair to those innocently seeking a new venue.