China Vendor Causing Issues on Facebook---URGENT HELP NEEDED

[lauvee]

A China vendor sent me 2 boxes of goods a month ago without a contract or payment of goods. They are now constantly messaging me and calling me on messenger for payment of $2200. They are messaging many mutual customers on Facebook and telling them they sent goods and owe that I owe them. One of those customers (so far) is now threatening to report me too internet crimes and also to post my information in scam groups on Facebook. Do I have any recourse to stop this? The threats of ruining me and demanding I explain myself to this customer is ridiculous in my opinion but a post in the scam groups would be detrimental to me. They have given me a deadline of tonight. Any suggestions or help is appreciated.

 

[quincy]

A China vendor sent me 2 boxes of goods a month ago without a contract or payment of goods. They are now constantly messaging me and calling me on messenger for payment of $2200. They are messaging many mutual customers on Facebook and telling them they sent goods and owe that I owe them. One of those customers (so far) is now threatening to report me too internet crimes and also to post my information in scam groups on Facebook. Do I have any recourse to stop this? The threats of ruining me and demanding I explain myself to this customer is ridiculous in my opinion but a post in the scam groups would be detrimental to me. They have given me a deadline of tonight. Any suggestions or help is appreciated.

What is the name of your state?

Why did you accept the packages?

I do not see you resolving this by the deadline given you if the deadline is tonight.

 

[HighwayMan]

So you didn't order the "goods"? They just randomly sent you the two boxes??

 

[lauvee]

What is the name of your state? -- California

Why did you accept the packages? They were left at the door

I do not see you resolving this by the deadline given you if the deadline is tonight.

Nor do I. As of my original post numerous customers have messaged me via Facebook messenger. They are threatening me about reporting to the police. It seems absurd that these people feel it's ok to put their nose in other people's business regardless of what the issue is. I don't know how to handle it or what to say other than it's none of your business. Do you have any suggestions?

 

[quincy]

Thank you for providing your state name.

You did not order the goods from the vendor? The packages just showed up on your doorstep addressed to you?

If you did not order the goods, I suggest you send them back to the vendor. If your reputation is at stake, the cost of shipping can be worth it.

Then you can post on Facebook that you have sent the unordered goods back to the vendor.

And, unless this was an honest mistake by the vendor, you might not want to do business with him again.

Were these legal goods, by the way (e.g., not counterfeit items)?

 

[lauvee]

Thank you for providing your state name.

You did not order the goods from the vendor? The packages just showed up on your doorstep addressed to you?

If you did not order the goods, I suggest you send them back to the vendor. If your reputation is at stake, the cost of shipping can be worth it.

Then you can post on Facebook that you have sent the unordered goods back to the vendor.

And, unless this was an honest mistake by the vendor, you might not want to do business with him again.

Were these legal goods, by the way (e.g., not counterfeit items)?

They were not counterfeit goods.
I have done business with this vendor before and plan on shipping things back.
My biggest concern is, with a deadline that I obviously can't meet, what real harm can they do too me legally? I am receiving threats by unknown people that they will notifying the police. The last thing I need is a police officer at my door in the middle of the night.

 

[quincy]

They were not counterfeit goods.
I have done business with this vendor before and plan on shipping things back.
My biggest concern is, with a deadline that I obviously can't meet, what real harm can they do too me legally? I am receiving threats by unknown people that they will notifying the police. The last thing I need is a police officer at my door in the middle of the night.

You should report any threats of physical harm to the police.

You cannot prevent others from contacting the police - and, quite frankly, unless the packages contained illegal items, the police are not going to be knocking at your door in the middle of the night over the delivery of unordered goods.

Good luck.

 

[lauvee]

You should report any threats of physical harm to the police.

You cannot prevent others from contacting the police - and, quite frankly, unless the packages contained illegal items, the police are not going to be knocking at your door in the middle of the night over the delivery of unordered goods.

Good luck.

Thank you. I appreciate your input.

 

[quincy]

Thank you. I appreciate your input.

You're welcome, lauvee. I appreciate the thanks.

Good luck.

 

[not2cleverRed]

Perhaps you can glean some useful information from the FTC:

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0181-unordered-merchandise

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs/business-blog/2014/10/law-unordered

I believe that you are the victim of a scam perpetrated by this company.
I believe that the other "customers" alleging that they will report you to the police are part of the scam (or else incredibly gullible).

There will be no police in the middle of the might pounding on your door. Anyone reporting these allegations to the police will be told it's a civil matter, and to stop trying to waste the police's time.

The only one with standing to pursue legal action against you would be the company that sent the goods. And even then, you did not order the goods.

You are not legally obligated to send the goods back, as you did not order them. However, given the shoddy treatment, I can understand why you would send the order back. Make sure to insure the shipment to its full value AND as much tracking as possible. (What? You really think that they'll acknowledge you've shipped it back?)

After that, inform the company that based on their conduct, you will never do business with them again, and to never send another shipment of anything to you but heartfelt apologies. If they are unable to admit a mistake and persist in their nastiness, block them on social media.

 

[lauvee]

Perhaps you can glean some useful information from the FTC:

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0181-unordered-merchandise

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs/business-blog/2014/10/law-unordered

I believe that you are the victim of a scam perpetrated by this company.
I believe that the other "customers" alleging that they will report you to the police are part of the scam (or else incredibly gullible).

There will be no police in the middle of the might pounding on your door. Anyone reporting these allegations to the police will be told it's a civil matter, and to stop trying to waste the police's time.

The only one with standing to pursue legal action against you would be the company that sent the goods. And even then, you did not order the goods.

You are not legally obligated to send the goods back, as you did not order them. However, given the shoddy treatment, I can understand why you would send the order back. Make sure to insure the shipment to its full value AND as much tracking as possible. (What? You really think that they'll acknowledge you've shipped it back?)

After that, inform the company that based on their conduct, you will never do business with them again, and to never send another shipment of anything to you but heartfelt apologies. If they are unable to admit a mistake and persist in their nastiness, block them on social media.

Thank you so much for the information. I don't see anything about oversees shipments only USA unless I am not reading it right.

 

[Shadowbunny]

Thank you so much for the information. I don't see anything about oversees shipments only USA unless I am not reading it right.

US police aren't going to come arrest you; and China isn't sending over a contingency of LEOs to get you, either. Send the stuff back and never deal with this vendor again.

 

[not2cleverRed]

Thank you so much for the information. I don't see anything about oversees shipments only USA unless I am not reading it right.

You have not violated USA law.

If there is some Chinese legislation that requires people to pay for unasked for deliveries or merchandise, that only applies to "business" transactions in China. I do not think you will be extradited to China to face charges based on this company's claim.

 

[lauvee]

You have not violated USA law.

If there is some Chinese legislation that requires people to pay for unasked for deliveries or merchandise, that only applies to "business" transactions in China. I do not think you will be extradited to China to face charges based on this company's claim.

very much appreciate your response.