Irate Consumer

[Guest guest]

Hi all, I've only been a lurker since I joined last year, and I've learned so

much from this group.

I have a situation I'm asking for either advice or just encouragement on. I have

2 jersey cows in Oregon & sell raw milk on my farm. A first time customer got my

name off local harvest & placed a large order. A month later, another large

order. I was a bit suspicious but when I asked what she was doing with all the

milk/cream she had legitimate recipes, and also, being an immigrant, was used to

being able to get lots of raw milk all the time in her homeland & grew up on it,

so she explained she was just so happy to finally have found it now that she's

here in Oregon.

A few days later I received a call from an irate woman who said she bought cream

from me, but she had really bought it from this other woman (my gut feeling of

suspcion was accurate, after all). She accused me of selling her milk, not

cream, and demanded I replace it immediately. I nicely & with care told her I

needed 24 hrs. notice & with my customers already lined up for Wednesday in this

case I needed 48 hrs. notice. She called me a liar & told me I was avoiding her.

If I tried to explain anything, she called me names so I quit trying to help her

understand my process. She told me if I didn't have the cream by 5 pm today she

was calling the FDA immediately. I said ok, come by today & I will get cream,

and I told her I just want her to be happy with it before she leaves.

I am scared of this lady - she intimidated me & used me. I don't make enough

money on this " hobby " to call an attorney to deal with her. And one call to the

FDA - legetimate or not - scares the hell out of me, even though I have no idea

what that could mean. I would just sell out before I'd try to fight someone in

court, because I don't have that kind of money, and the stress is horrible just

today!

Has anyone had this happen or have advice? I'm just scared & shaking at this

point. Any words would be helpful, I think.

thanks,

Charlotte