Schuylkill County Man Reportedly Out $24,500 to West Virginia Pole Building Company That Ghosted Him

A Schuylkill County man is currently out more than $24,000 after the owner of a pole building kit company in West Virginia allegedly ghosted him following a 2021 purchase.

Douglas Baisden, 46, owner of Build-A-Barn LLC, located in Danville, West Virginia, has been charged with a single felony count of theft by deception following a lengthy investigation by State Police-Schuylkill Haven.

According to court documents, the alleged victim first reached out to Build-A-Barn through its website on July 19, 2021, inquiring about purchasing materials to construct a 40’x60’x12′ pole building at his residence in Pine Grove Township.

Build-A-Barn promises to provide all the materials for its customers to construct a pole building. Baisden responded by email, instructing the victim to call him directly to finalize the order.

The victim, assisted by his son in making the arrangements, completed the entire purchase over the phone without receiving a receipt or order form, the affidavit states. They were directed to send a personal check and were promised delivery of building materials approximately four weeks after the check was cashed.

On August 13, 2021, the Schuylkill County man mailed a personal check for $24,500 to Build-A-Barn LLC. Records show Baisden deposited that check on August 20, 2021, police say.

When the promised materials failed to arrive, the victim repeatedly attempted to contact Baisden by telephone. Initially, Baisden provided only vague explanations, later ceasing to answer calls altogether.

Police say emails from Baisden to the victim attempt to explain delays in shipping the materials.

In April 2022, Baisden blamed staffing shortages and supplier issues, assuring the victim his trusses were scheduled for shipment soon.

By August 2022, Baisden cited personal medical issues and supplier disruptions caused by COVID-19, but insisted, “We did not steal your money,” pledging either delivery of materials or a refund.

The police investigation revealed that Baisden eventually stopped responding completely.

When police contacted Baisden directly, Baisden admitted he had taken money from multiple customers, including the Schuylkill County victim, without providing the ordered materials.

Baisden reportedly claimed he intended to repay customers by selling personal property and cashing out a railroad pension, working with the West Virginia Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division to do so.

Despite repeated assurances – including a January 2023 conversation with the victim’s son in which Baisden promised repayment by the end of February 2023 – the building materials or a refund haven’t been received.

Baisden is due before District Magistrate Judge David Rossi to answer to this charge in May.

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