How to deal with a gumtree pest?

Tragen

My nan has decided to stop driving at 80 years old and so her car must go. I have been tasked with selling it, so I've listed it on Gumtree.

I've had various emails and texts, some are time wasters some are genuine, as expected.

However this one guy text me, and after his little speech about how overpriced the car is, he seems to have taken offence to me not wanting to take a "fair price" - which he has at no point made, even after saying to him several times that I'm open to offers.

He then took a different tone, and insisted that I'm a dealer and from then on he has deteriorated in to calling me names. I've not replied since that point. However he has continued to message me telling me he has reported me to gumtree for being a trader.

I have since googled his number and it turns out he is in fact a dealer! (although has nothing for sale at the moment)

He obviously doesnt like being ignored and with gumtree not removing the ad he has proceeded to send more texts.

He has tried to email me via gumtree, which affords him protection as they anonymise the email address.

Now, the problem is that I don't know when a new message or email is genuine and so have not replied to any enquiries since, for fear of him winding me up and potentially getting me to divulge my home address.

I'm wondering how others have dealt with this situation?

Marvel1

Block his number. What phone do you have?

londonTiger

have fun with it. lol

maddogb

Bit late now but using gumtree I always use the email only contact initially then only exchange phone numbers once you are convinced the person is genuine.
Consider reporting it to the police, bullying and harassment is unacceptable in this day and age

rich13348

If you know he is a dealer you could find out his address and go and harass him instead.

londonTiger

maddogb wrote: »

Bit late now but using gumtree I always use the email only contact initially then only exchange phone numbers once you are convinced the person is genuine.
Consider reporting it to the police, bullying and harassment is unacceptable in this day and age

his local police force is probably sitting at their desks twiddling their thumbs desperate for a call to come in about annoying gumtree buyers.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

To be honest your better off completely ignoring this tool.


Pull the ad for a few days to make him think he has won, and then relist it.


But this time, use a disposable sim card in a cheapy phone and use the number for that.


use a different throw away e-mail address, and blank out the reg number in photo's (easily done).


when sold, either use the sim and phone to buy and sell items on FB and fleabay and gumtree or dispose of at a mobile phone shop who buys second hand phones.

Tragen

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

But this time, use a disposable sim card in a cheapy phone and use the number for that.

Great advice and I actually already do this as I do sell the odd computer part on gumtree/ebay etc and over time ads get copied to clone sites etc. so i change number peridically, the phone is left behind when I'm out for the evening and is on silent over night so I'm not losing any sleep over it either.

stator

You need to send him one final message telling him to stop contacting you and that all future communications will be recorded and will be considered harassment and that if he continues you will contact the police.

Respond to the other gumtree'ers in good faith but make sure you meet them at a time and place where you aren't vulnerable.

worried_jim

Call him and tell him about your unique set of skills Liam Neeson style.

I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you're looking for a discount, I can tell you I don't have money but what I do have are a very particular set of skills. Skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you stop calling about my Nan's car now, that will be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you and I will kill you.

bigjl

londonTiger wrote: »

his local police force is probably sitting at their desks twiddling their thumbs desperate for a call to come in about annoying gumtree buyers.

More "useful" advice from LondonTiger.