That's the problem with Craigslist.. yes it's free to list and purchase items but this also means that they don't have a group on payroll to investigate the scams that pollute their site. They've always maintained the "buy local" principles and this is why they only support local searches on their site (you can search nationally with other methods but they don't endorse these). I recently upgraded my riding mower to a ZTR and I decided to try Craigslist to sell my old older mower.
Within a day I received an email that said this:
Thank you for the response according to the description, am okay with the price and the condition pasted on cl. I am ready to make instant purchase. My mode of payment would be in certified bank check and i will arrange for a local pick up as soon as you get the check, because that is the only convenient means for me and due to my work frame i can not be able to get there and i promise everything will go smoothly. I really wish to be there to check out the item but i don't have chance cause am a very busy person. Concerning the pick up, i will arrange for it after you receive the payment and it clears... Pls get back to me with below info so that i can proceed with the payment immediately if you are selling to me.
Name:
Address: Not P.O.BOX
City:
State:
Postal Code:
Phone Number: That i can send text
And as soon as this is provided, the payment will be overnight to you and i will let you know when its mailed out. Thanks and i hope we handle this in good faith while waiting to hear from you. i will add an additional $40 so that you can hold it for me till the check reach you.
Best RegardJust a little suspicious huh?
This is how I replied:
The additional $40 is not necessary and I'd rather ask for some additional information to ensure that this is a legit offer to purchase this mower.
Please provide the following:
- Your first and last name
- A verifiable address
- Your phone number
Depending on where you are located, I might be able to deliver this mower in person which would give you an opportunity to check it over in person prior to the purchase and pay for it in cash. I'm also willing to hold it until you could come inspect it in person (up to 20 days).
Craigslist warns against accepting payments in cashier's check / money orders because there has been an issue with these items being forged. You've stated that pick-up would not occur until the check had cleared, but this can take up to 10 business days at my bank and I don't want to be pressured into releasing the mower prior to a check clearing.
I come from a security background so please understand my concerns.What do you know.. they never responded back to me.
If you type the first couple of lines from this email into a Google search, guess what turns up... yes pages of the exact same scam that others have also seen:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110508114902AAoPddUI suppose that these guys are so lazy that they not only feel like they need to prey on the working class but also use the same scam over and over again with no modifications to the email they send out.
Within a couple of days another fellow contacted me that seemed legit and he drove up to my house, checked out the mower and paid for it with cash. I was even a little hesitate about this meeting in person and I had my trusty Springfield XD on me and concealed the entire time. I think it's best to interview any buyer or seller on the phone first and figure out where they come from, work for a living and why they need the item or are selling it before making any commitments to buy or sell. I've found that if you keep your ears open, you can typically tell BS from fact and then follow your instincts from there.
EvilBay costs have really gone out of control over the last ten years, however like everything else, you get what you pay for and you can't beat the protection that they offer, especially matched with PayPal.
Just my two cents..
Chris
