What do I do if someone wants to ruin my business over a couch?

Question

I sold a couch on craigslists and the person who bought said she would come get it with a truck soon. We had to move (to a 2nd floor apt) due to some problems with the old house, I notified her immediately by email and told her I moved it to my new house and to come get it asap. One month later (2 months total since the purchase) she calls me and wants the couch. I'm busy and could not deal with the situation immediately so she emails me a few times and calls a few times and a day later threatens to report the "theft" to the police and ruin my business by telling all of my clients that I defrauded her. What do I do?

Answer 1

When I have used Craigslist, no money changes hands until the item is picked up.
If this is true in your case, she does not own the sofa since she hasn't paid for it.
If you still have the couch, tell her she needs to pick it up. Give her a reasonable time frame (say 7 days).
If she has paid for it, she owns it.

Answer 2

Sounds like a lack of basic communication. It also sounds like she was ignored by you since you said you were busy and could not deal with the situation immidiately. You did not return her phone calls it seems. It is not an excuse to say you were busy so you couldn't return a 30 second phone call. I would probably do the same thing if I was her.

Why don't you communicate with her like "call her over the phone" and let her know she can pick up her couch at your new house.

Answer 3

Have you received payment for the couch? If you have not, you owe her nothing as the contract of sale was never completed. In the case, there is no theft and no fraud and any reasonable person can see that.

If you have received the money, put the couch outside and inform her that she can come pick up the couch at any time she wishes because it is outside. You have given her plenty of time (two months) to pick up the couch. If she paid for it, you are not responsible for storing it until she decides it is convenient to pick it up.

Answer 4

I agree to putting the couch outside. You don't need to keep it and you gave her plenty of time. Just warn her beforehand. You are not responsible for it after it's sold and you have emails to back up your case if she ever decided to call the police or take you to court. Just print them out to show the police if they ever come. As I said, warn her first and give a couple days and then put the couch out. Whatever happens after that is HER responsibility.

Answer 5

give her the couch. I know that its a stupid thing, but what would you rather have, her telling all your clients and possibly taking you to small claims court? (This costs time and money) Just ride it out and give her the couch... besides SHES the one who has to now carry it down a few flights of stairs... Don't help her move it .. lol.. that will teach her to be mean ♥

Answer 6

If you did not take any money from her and never completed the sale, then forget her.

If she trys to do what she has threatened to do, you sue her.

If she paid for it then you need to make it available for her to pick up. Inform her it will be on the curb at a certain time and she needs to get it before someone takes it.

Answer 7

Arrange for her to get the couch immediately. That's the only way to nip the problem in the bud.

Answer 8

Many people will tell you to fight her "blah, blah, blah" but in reality it is best to make problems like this go away. Do everything you can to deliver the couch or let her pick it up.

Don't worry about principle, worry about your business.

Answer 9

did she pay you for the couch? you didn't state


If she didn't pay you then it isn't theft

If she did pay but didn't pick up the couch, its still not theft. You still have it, and its still there for her to pick up

I suggest just to refund her the money and relist it , or donate it to the Salvation Army (and take a tax write off)

Answer 10

Put the couch outside and tell her she can come by anytime!