Is it blackmail if I threaten to publicize a problem, and libel?

[ziggy1999]

I posted in another forum, but am wondering about the libel/blackmail issue here. Someone advised I can get no compensation. Wondering how far I can go in warning others. Thanks.

What is the name of your state? New Jersey

I bought a little 1965 sports car from a European company around 5 years ago that was supposed to be all fixed up. It's not a supercar or nothing but a neat little sports car. Anyway, they shipped it over and now I have a major problem with structural body rust and can't drive it at all. I've got to junk it or pay quite a bit to get it fixed. I want the seller to pay to fix it cause they clearly didn't take much care and should've known when fixing it themselves. He says it's an old vehicle and he didn't know and he isn't responsible for it anymore. Yeah, the gaurantee wasn't long but still I got ripped off! I wrote the guy a nasty email saying I would start posting all over the internet and warning people against his company if they didn't pay to fix it. Now he says he will forward that to the police here because it is blackmail and sue me for libel if I post anything saying his company is responsible for this.

Do I have any recourse?

Am I in any danger of being charged with blackmail or getting sued for libel if I start writing about them on the internet?

Thanks.

 

[K'Ta]

I bought a little 1965 sports car from a European company around 5 years ago

So 5 years ago you bought a 36 year old car and now, 5 YEARS LATER, you're experiencing rust on the body of said car.

Am I right so far? Good.

Now, what do you expect? The friggin car is 41 years old and you've had it for the last 5 of those years. Who's to say something YOU did didn't cause the body to start rusting?

If you'd found this immediately after you'd taken possession of the car I could see your point. But 5 years later? Dude, let it go. Chances are being a European company you won't get sued. It's probably not worth it to them, but what right do you have to potentially damage business for someone that sold you something FIVE YEARS AGO?

Seriously, get a girlfriend or a hobby, but let this one go.

 

[JETX]

Am I in any danger of being charged with blackmail or getting sued for libel if I start writing about them on the internet?

Simply, you demanded compensation (repair of YOUR vehicle) in return for your NOT complaining. Fineline, but that is criminally called 'extortion'.

blackmail
n. the crime of threatening to reveal embarrassing, disgraceful or damaging facts (or rumors) about a person to the public, family, spouse or associates unless paid off to not carry out the threat. It is one form of extortion (which may include other threats such as physical harm or damage to property).

As for your reporting the facts on the internet... nothing to prevent you from doing so... as long as it is the absolute truth (without any specific 'attack'). However, your threat of extortion will very likely backfire on you as your posting negative now would simply support their criminal complaint.