Craigslist scams

I have encountered this a few times. Yes you are right it is indeed bs. Mail em back and tell em how you really feel. LOL

 

So where do you guys recommend as the best places to meet and make Craigslist transactions?

 

All depends what you're selling.

 

Depends on how much cash is involved and what the value of your item being sold is. If it's something some scumbag would stab you to death over (cash or item) then I'd meet in a police dept. parking lot. A well lit, well populated public place is second best. I never meet at my home or my office, and try not to meet them at their's either. Gas station, 'mart parking lot, any place like that is ideal and easy as shit to get to for anybody since they tend to be placed in areas where traffic makes them easy to get to. If they don't want to meet at that kind of place, fuck them.

Seems like there's been a few times I've read about people selling valuable items and the "buyer" shows up and robs them, beats them, stabs them, whatever. Reverse is true also, where the "seller" knows you're bringing $1k cash to buy his rims and then he jacks your shit and you get nothing but a kick in the face. Mitigate risk of personal injury, always a good way to be.

 

I have sold a couple cars on craigslist. I have received many emails saying they are out of town. They will send a check and a tow truck. Just ignore all of them. Stick to in person transactions. if they like the car go to the bank with them. Go inside with them and get a cashiers check with them from the teller.

 

If possible, never at your own home. Gives them an opportunity to size up, case out the place.

Sure the deal could go down smooth as glass, but two weeks later you are robbed blind while your at work. That's why I do t think I would sell anything with a title on C/L. Then they would have my address.


I have sold/purchased a few things off CL. I have never sold anything at my house or purchased anything at someone else's home. Always public, cash only.

 

That's a very good point. I guess you can never trust anyone anymore it kinda sucks.

 

So whats the scam? I don't see what they are getting out of the deal...

 

I bought rims in Greensboro when I went on a trip a few weeks ago. emailed the guy first, then communicated over phone. set up a time at his work (car dealership) to check them out. I carry a knife with me usually (my hunting/gutting knife) but most experiences are OK. I had a few things up for sale but never have been contacted by scammers yet.

 

My buddy got the same email word for word.I told him it was a scam.He deleted it.On CL it is cash money only for me.Show up with a roll of cash or you get nothing.No checks.No nothing.Cash.

 

Also, forums like these are a great place to buy/sell/trade. Posters tend to have a reputation to uphold on a forum type setting.

 

I don't mean to change the direction of the thread, but while we're talking about scammers I thought I would share a link to a website where scammers are busted. Some of them are hilarious.
http://www.419eater.com/html/letters.htm

Dunckel

 

Lately, even that is not a sure thing anymore. TopGuns, X moked U, Timicha, and Adub4real come to mind.

 

100% true.

I have done a few CL deals.

I try to communicate by phone as much as possible, at least for initial contact reasons.

I stay away from electronics at all costs. (I will not try to buy a brand new current Iphone for $50) . Electronics bring out the absolute worst scum and so many online horror stories.

Stay away from posts that start with "I got a..." "I got my...." "hey cl..." Usually teeth grinders, just stay away.

Stay away from text only ads, especially for higher priced items

Stay away from people who want to "meet" up with items like Honda EU1000's or other higher priced items. I assume they're stolen. Doesn't it make sense to go to someones house to buy something like this? If im skeptical I look up the address and see when the house was sold and try to get as much info as possible so different stories add up.

I don't deal with first come first serve sellers, every experience I have had with these types of sellers is bad. Sellers that will hold something for you have always been good. I once offered $5000 for a free item on CL, the woman said, "what kind of Christian would I be If I sold it to you after I already promised it to someone else"? (for free mind you) God bless her!

I bought a little Honda EX350 in the middle of nowhere and the 70 year old gentleman invited me in for cold tea, showed me his cool projects and said for me to stop by ANY time to visit with my wife. You won't find a seller like this at some shitty gas station.

I was also invited to a nice dinner of fresh crab cake in Kingston, WA during another deal. (Nicest people I have ever met in my life anywhere).


NEVER buy phones or other valuable electronics, Honda civic parts, or other trash like that. And just walk away if you're suspicious at all of anything.

Done numerous deals at my house, my dads, my property, other people houses, they've all been good.

 

I just had a guy get mad at me because I wouldn't give him my address, told him to meet me at the local store. He still wouldn't do it. Told him off after that.

 

What type of item were you selling? If it was some kind of electronics or car parts its understandable that the guy would want to meet at your place. Just a way for him to check that hes dealing with a straight shooter. But if you're not comfortable with that then the clown should have just stepped off.

I collect cartridge games as a hobby. I meet people in parking lots to buy a game or two sometimes. But its different if a guy says meet me at wallys to buy this Warn winch I ended up not needing (insert giant emoticon of a red flag here)

 

On the other side of this, I am looking for an FJ60. There aren't any local. So I have expanded my search to 500 miles away. When I send a text, or email and get back an email saying "F-off scammer" it sucks. Usually I can send another message and explain I am not a bot. I have had to adjust my texts and emails so I don't sound like a scammer. But anytime someone gets a text from a non local number, they assume its a scammer, safe practice for them, but sucks for unlocal.

 

no offense taco but I prefer no stalkers knowing where they can steal my shit. in light of that I try to always meet in a public place. I also write up a bill of sale for any electronics I sell (not many). Sold a Surface RT and Pro last year and had the buyers sit with me at the table and turn it on to prove they work and are not locked out junk.

Now if it's a large item then sure, my lazy ass ain't gonna move it, come and get it. but I have not sold anything that I couldn't pick up myself (maybe one day I will sell the '04 )

I tend to look hours away for certain things too. I send email first (for those who actually understand how to read email) and then proceed with verbal communication if I want to pursue the item further. If I can't get any information from them then don't sell it. I do formulate texts in a way that I hope shows I am not a scammer.