I need advice **I'm getting trash talked on Reddit**

[hiddenhand]

I'm writing this because I don't really have anyone to talk to, and the stress and anxiety are starting to get to me.

About 10 days ago, I launched a kratom e-commerce store, and so far, I’ve made 26 sales. Sounds great, right? My flagship product is pretty niche, which has drawn a lot of attention, mainly from Reddit.

But here’s the issue: I’m not sure if people will buy from me again because I think I may have messed up the product formulation.

The product I’m selling is really potent, so I made it a bit milder to avoid anyone getting hurt. Turns out, that might’ve been a mistake. A few customers have reached out, unhappy with the product. Some have even accused me of not selling what I advertised (which I am, by the way—I’ve had it tested in a lab to confirm the potency). But one guy, who seems pretty addicted to this specific type of kratom, has gone as far as threatening to defame me on Reddit. He even wants to send my product to an independent lab, which doesn’t bother me because I know the results will back me up.

What does worry me is that slight inconsistencies in potency are normal in this industry. Even the lab that tested my product told me that no batch is exactly the same—slight variations happen. For example, if something is advertised at 50% potency, another batch might be 47%. It’s all within an acceptable range, but try explaining that to people on Reddit. They seem to think otherwise.

Since this guy started trashing my company, I’ve seen a noticeable slowdown in interest. I used to get daily messages about the product, but now things have really tapered off.

It’s been pretty discouraging because I’ve put a lot into this, and I was proud to be an underdog who managed to get 26 sales in my first week. But now this whole situation has me feeling down.

Am I overthinking this? Am I just being too much of a perfectionist? Do you think I can bounce back and win people over again? I mean, 99% of my sales have come from Reddit. I haven’t even started working on SEO yet. My site has no backlinks, and my DA score is sitting at 1. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? How did you deal with negative reviews or trash talk from upset customers?

Looking back, I probably should’ve just refunded the guy. But he bought $290 worth of product, used it all in one day, and then claimed it did nothing. Which is crazy to me because no one should be using it that fast or at the doses he took. So maybe he’s just unreasonable?

I could really use some advice or a pep talk. Just need another perspective on this whole mess.

Thanks!

 

[digihub]

Hey, I totally get why you're stressed—launching a business is tough, and it sounds like you've already put in a lot of work. It’s great that you had your product lab-tested, so you know you're providing something safe and legit. As for the complaints, some customers can be unreasonable, especially in niche markets like kratom.

I think you can definitely bounce back, especially if 99% of your sales came from Reddit. Negative reviews happen, but your transparency and willingness to stand behind your product will go a long way. Maybe reach out directly to that unhappy customer, offer a refund or replacement, and diffuse the situation. It's also time to diversify—start working on SEO and building your online presence beyond Reddit.

You’ve had an amazing start, so don’t let one loud voice knock you off track. Keep improving, and you'll win customers back.

 

[cloudroach99]

I'm writing this because I don't really have anyone to talk to, and the stress and anxiety are starting to get to me.

About 10 days ago, I launched a kratom e-commerce store, and so far, I’ve made 26 sales. Sounds great, right? My flagship product is pretty niche, which has drawn a lot of attention, mainly from Reddit.

But here’s the issue: I’m not sure if people will buy from me again because I think I may have messed up the product formulation.

The product I’m selling is really potent, so I made it a bit milder to avoid anyone getting hurt. Turns out, that might’ve been a mistake. A few customers have reached out, unhappy with the product. Some have even accused me of not selling what I advertised (which I am, by the way—I’ve had it tested in a lab to confirm the potency). But one guy, who seems pretty addicted to this specific type of kratom, has gone as far as threatening to defame me on Reddit. He even wants to send my product to an independent lab, which doesn’t bother me because I know the results will back me up.

What does worry me is that slight inconsistencies in potency are normal in this industry. Even the lab that tested my product told me that no batch is exactly the same—slight variations happen. For example, if something is advertised at 50% potency, another batch might be 47%. It’s all within an acceptable range, but try explaining that to people on Reddit. They seem to think otherwise.

Since this guy started trashing my company, I’ve seen a noticeable slowdown in interest. I used to get daily messages about the product, but now things have really tapered off.

It’s been pretty discouraging because I’ve put a lot into this, and I was proud to be an underdog who managed to get 26 sales in my first week. But now this whole situation has me feeling down.

Am I overthinking this? Am I just being too much of a perfectionist? Do you think I can bounce back and win people over again? I mean, 99% of my sales have come from Reddit. I haven’t even started working on SEO yet. My site has no backlinks, and my DA score is sitting at 1. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? How did you deal with negative reviews or trash talk from upset customers?

Looking back, I probably should’ve just refunded the guy. But he bought $290 worth of product, used it all in one day, and then claimed it did nothing. Which is crazy to me because no one should be using it that fast or at the doses he took. So maybe he’s just unreasonable?

I could really use some advice or a pep talk. Just need another perspective on this whole mess.

Thanks!

Hey! Looks like you were trying to do something positive. I got a service too put I haven't got to this point yet. Maybe we can help each other.

 

[hiddenhand]

Hey, I totally get why you're stressed—launching a business is tough, and it sounds like you've already put in a lot of work. It’s great that you had your product lab-tested, so you know you're providing something safe and legit. As for the complaints, some customers can be unreasonable, especially in niche markets like kratom.

I think you can definitely bounce back, especially if 99% of your sales came from Reddit. Negative reviews happen, but your transparency and willingness to stand behind your product will go a long way. Maybe reach out directly to that unhappy customer, offer a refund or replacement, and diffuse the situation. It's also time to diversify—start working on SEO and building your online presence beyond Reddit.

You’ve had an amazing start, so don’t let one loud voice knock you off track. Keep improving, and you'll win customers back.

Thanks for your supportive words. Unfortunately, the subreddit he's posting on doesn’t allow merchants to defend themselves, so I’m probably going to step away from Reddit for a bit. I’ve thought about reaching out to him again, but honestly, it’s a lot of money, and I’m on a tight budget right now. I can’t afford to lose both the cash and the product.

If he tries to file a chargeback, I do have my terms of service to back me up (No refunds. Refunds are up to my discretion. We reserve the right to deny refunds), so I’m hoping I’ll win.

Hopefully.

To be real, though, I wouldn’t want him as a customer again anyway. His order was slightly delayed by USPS, and he immediately accused me of being a scammer, saying I didn’t ship the product, that I was using USPS kiosks to fake shipping info, and so on.

It got me so stressed that I spent my Saturday calling USPS, trying to figure out why his tracking hadn’t updated in two days. I genuinely care about my customers—I feel this need to solve their problems and make sure they’re happy.

Eventually, the tracking updated, and he apologized for accusing me. He said something like, "You know how it is with withdrawals... I was running out and expected it by Monday. Should’ve spent $40 on next-day shipping... I NEED IT... and NEVER use USPS again, it’s a death sentence for companies!" Yeah, he really said that. I’m not sure if he was going through kratom withdrawals or if he uses it to get off harder stuff, but it freaked me out. He definitely seemed a bit unstable.

Then, when he finally got the product, he hit me with more accusations, saying I wasn’t selling what I advertised. I honestly regret ever processing his order.

Part of me wonders if this whole mess is the price I’m paying to never have to deal with him again. What a nightmare customer.

Sorry for the rant!

Anyway, I’m going to start focusing on SEO today to attract a different crowd. I’m done dealing with impatient, paranoid people. The perfectionist in me stresses out too much, and all I really want is for my customers to be happy, to have a decent reputation, and make enough to take care of myself and my small family.

 

[hiddenhand]

Hey! Looks like you were trying to do something positive. I got a service too put I haven't got to this point yet. Maybe we can help each other.

You're free to DM me.

 

[dlyhai]

how do you promote on reddit?
any method? thanks

 

[hiddenhand]

how do you promote on reddit?
any method? thanks

It happened organically by word of mouth. I sold to several customers who found me via Google search and they loved my product so much, they posted reviews on a subreddit dedicated to my niche. I immediately started (and still am) getting sales from Reddit. I have never posted on there. All word of mouth/organically. I got lucky.

I also want to add that thankfully, it seems like that customer has stopped shit talking my product and moved on. I've had many more sales after this incident and 9 out of 10 people like my product.

I posted this because I'm a perfectionist and I really did worry he was going to trash my brand... but thankfully everything is OK.

It has made me realize how powerful Reddit really is. I've made so much money so far and I haven't even reached one month since I've opened my e-commerce store. Reddit is great. I am going to look into BHW gigs where they provide Reddit posts, etc. Maybe you should try those Gigs if you're looking to break into Reddit? Good luck

 

[dlyhai]

It happened organically by word of mouth. I sold to several customers who found me via Google search and they loved my product so much, they posted reviews on a subreddit dedicated to my niche. I immediately started (and still am) getting sales from Reddit. I have never posted on there. All word of mouth/organically. I got lucky.

I also want to add that thankfully, it seems like that customer has stopped shit talking my product and moved on. I've had many more sales after this incident and 9 out of 10 people like my product.

I posted this because I'm a perfectionist and I really did worry he was going to trash my brand... but thankfully everything is OK.

It has made me realize how powerful Reddit really is. I've made so much money so far and I haven't even reached one month since I've opened my e-commerce store. Reddit is great. I am going to look into BHW gigs where they provide Reddit posts, etc. Maybe you should try those Gigs if you're looking to break into Reddit? Good luck

Thanks very much, you do very great

 

[HenLab]

I'm writing this because I don't really have anyone to talk to, and the stress and anxiety are starting to get to me.

About 10 days ago, I launched a kratom e-commerce store, and so far, I’ve made 26 sales. Sounds great, right? My flagship product is pretty niche, which has drawn a lot of attention, mainly from Reddit.

But here’s the issue: I’m not sure if people will buy from me again because I think I may have messed up the product formulation.

The product I’m selling is really potent, so I made it a bit milder to avoid anyone getting hurt. Turns out, that might’ve been a mistake. A few customers have reached out, unhappy with the product. Some have even accused me of not selling what I advertised (which I am, by the way—I’ve had it tested in a lab to confirm the potency). But one guy, who seems pretty addicted to this specific type of kratom, has gone as far as threatening to defame me on Reddit. He even wants to send my product to an independent lab, which doesn’t bother me because I know the results will back me up.

What does worry me is that slight inconsistencies in potency are normal in this industry. Even the lab that tested my product told me that no batch is exactly the same—slight variations happen. For example, if something is advertised at 50% potency, another batch might be 47%. It’s all within an acceptable range, but try explaining that to people on Reddit. They seem to think otherwise.

Since this guy started trashing my company, I’ve seen a noticeable slowdown in interest. I used to get daily messages about the product, but now things have really tapered off.

It’s been pretty discouraging because I’ve put a lot into this, and I was proud to be an underdog who managed to get 26 sales in my first week. But now this whole situation has me feeling down.

Am I overthinking this? Am I just being too much of a perfectionist? Do you think I can bounce back and win people over again? I mean, 99% of my sales have come from Reddit. I haven’t even started working on SEO yet. My site has no backlinks, and my DA score is sitting at 1. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? How did you deal with negative reviews or trash talk from upset customers?

Looking back, I probably should’ve just refunded the guy. But he bought $290 worth of product, used it all in one day, and then claimed it did nothing. Which is crazy to me because no one should be using it that fast or at the doses he took. So maybe he’s just unreasonable?

I could really use some advice or a pep talk. Just need another perspective on this whole mess.

Thanks!

It sounds like you're dealing with a really tough and disheartening situation, but from what you’ve shared, you've made some good initial progress and have a solid foundation to work from. Getting 26 sales in your first 10 days is actually impressive, especially for a niche product and relying mostly on Reddit for traffic.

With your current challenge, it’s natural to feel anxious, especially since one negative voice on a community-based platform like Reddit can sometimes have a loud impact. Here are a few thoughts that might help you navigate this:

1. Transparency and Communication: Since you’ve tested the product and know the quality is there, consider drafting a clear, calm response or FAQ addressing common questions about potency and batch variation. Sharing your commitment to quality control and explaining why slight variations are normal in the kratom industry can help reassure potential customers. This could even be a pinned post or part of a dedicated “Quality and Testing” section on your site.

2. Consider Refunds or Product Adjustments: While it can be frustrating, offering a reasonable refund or discount to particularly upset customers may sometimes be worth it to maintain your reputation. In the long term, refunding a customer who seems determined to create issues might cost less than the potential negative impact on your brand.

3. Build a Base Outside of Reddit: Relying on one source, especially Reddit, can be limiting. As you already plan, focusing on SEO and getting your site visible through organic search will help diversify your traffic sources and reduce the impact of any single negative review on your sales. Building social proof and brand awareness elsewhere will help you scale and attract a wider audience.

4. Highlight Positive Reviews: If you have customers who enjoyed the product, encourage them to leave reviews or share their thoughts, either on Reddit or other forums. Having more voices backing your product can create a balance to counter negative comments.

5. Learn and Adapt: Even though this customer seems challenging, sometimes addressing their concerns calmly can turn them into an advocate. If you address his complaint directly and show you're willing to work with customers, he may soften his stance.

6. Take Care of Yourself: Launching a business can be exhausting, especially when things go wrong. Remember, setbacks are a normal part of building a brand. Take breaks when you need them, and remind yourself of why you started this venture in the first place.

You’re clearly dedicated, and your instincts about product quality and transparency are spot on. With time, patience, and a little reputation management, you’ll be able to build a strong brand that people trust.

 

[sjrichard68]

How is your store doing now? Are you getting all your traffic from organic social media, and or organic google search?

 

[Adindustry]

I would make a Reddit account as the owner of the website and address Reddit users concerns directly withing the threads that are discussing you.

Tell them honestly what happened and why you did it and I think they'll appreciate it if you promise to fix it.

It will show them that you value your customer bases opinions and I think theyll give you another chance, especially if you give them a reddit only promo code or something to sweeten the pot.