Thread: Craigslist scammers

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I was hoping Craigslist would be reasonably free of scammers. I have a couple of items on the local Albany, NY version and both have had scam hits. One I thought was legit until I just got a response back - no punctuation, poor grammar and poor use of English, no capitalization - and want to pay me extra to hold the items and pay via a certified check, BINGO. Generally the same thing for the other. Dammit, and I thought I could finally sell some odds and ends without paying the Ebay fees.

Thank goodness for my Earthlink anonymous email addresses I use for these listings since they never hit my inbox unless I request it via a couple of mouse clicks

I bought five SB Chevy engines . Lots of intakes / carburetors ram horn manifolds . And sold cars but it has been all local sales . Dont give up on the Craigs list I think its much better then E bay !

I buy and sell on Craigs list all the time, I even advertise rental property there. I get scam responses every time, but they are easy to weed out.

Seems like scammers are into everything these days..... Fortunately most of them only operate with about half a brain so they're relatively easy to see through.... Would be interesting just once to come up with a physical address and have someone in that area pay them a personal visit.....

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Seems like scammers are into everything these days..... Fortunately most of them only operate with about half a brain so they're relatively easy to see through.... Would be interesting just once to come up with a physical address and have someone in that area pay them a personal visit.....

It's just too bad that those kind of people can't get a life - but I guess that preying on the uninformed of the world from a safe haven like Nigeria (a part of the world I NEVER EVER want to see again) is profitable.

I just had an offer of $20 for my almost new Sharpe Finex 300 1.4 - blew that one off. I don't mind an low ball offer but not an insulting one. It's not a great spray gun but it will do a credible job.

I'll keep up with listings on craigslist for those items that I feel would be better sold locally

I'm a fan of Craigslist for some things. Most recently unloaded a couple flatties. I'm not sure that the scammers are functionally much different than the "tire kickers" . You know, the guy who runs you through the drill with some questions, then asks for directions (or in the modern era just your address for a Mapquest) and then never shows. You still have to sort the flakes from the real folk. I guess that's part of what I like about Craigslist, I can pre-qualify via email before disclosing where the goodies are stored. The best procedure I've found for sorting out the dreamers is to put the onus on them when they ask for directions/address. I say something like" are you coming over right now?" If they hem and haw they're most likely a flake and I tell them to call me when they're ready to come over so the directions will be fresh in their mind. Minimizes the amount of time wasted on them.

On the flip side, it does usually end up with sending out more pictures to folks you never hear from again. But, the ol' picture/1000 word thing......they probably mean shorter emails/phone conversations, so may still be a bene.

Originally Posted by Bob Parmenter

I'm a fan of Craigslist for some things. Most recently unloaded a couple flatties. I'm not sure that the scammers are functionally much different than the "tire kickers" . You know, the guy who runs you through the drill with some questions, then asks for directions (or in the modern era just your address for a Mapquest) and then never shows. You still have to sort the flakes from the real folk. I guess that's part of what I like about Craigslist, I can pre-qualify via email before disclosing where the goodies are stored. The best procedure I've found for sorting out the dreamers is to put the onus on them when they ask for directions/address. I say something like" are you coming over right now?" If they hem and haw they're most likely a flake and I tell them to call me when they're ready to come over so the directions will be fresh in their mind. Minimizes the amount of time wasted on them.

On the flip side, it does usually end up with sending out more pictures to folks you never hear from again. But, the ol' picture/1000 word thing......they probably mean shorter emails/phone conversations, so may still be a bene.

Bob,
The tire kickers and hem & haw folks I can deal with and can even enjoy the 'negotiations'. I've done so much swap meet selling in the past few years that I enjoy the challange. I do have "no lower then price" but a low ball with out seeing the item tends to P*** me Off. It's the folks that have English as a second language and are from Nigeria or similar 4th or less world country that want to send me a certified check for more then the amount........ More than one or two pictures of a Sharpe Finex or a kerosene heater is a waste of my time tho.

I haven't given up yet on craigslist - as long as it's free and I can winnow out the trash in my anonymous email box I'll keep trying. Batting zero for 3 now.

[QUOTE=IC2]I was hoping Craigslist would be reasonably free of scammers. I have a couple of items on the local Albany, NY version and both have had scam hits. One I thought was legit until I just got a response back - no punctuation, poor grammar and poor use of English, no capitalization - and want to pay me extra to hold the items and pay via a certified check, BINGO. Generally the same thing for the other. Dammit, and I thought I could finally sell some odds and ends without paying the Ebay fees.

man i feel bad, i never use proper punctuation, cant spell that good, poor grammer, and no capitalization. and that makes me a bad person who rips people off? just because i did not get straight A's in english does not mean i will steal your money. it just means i cant type and hen peck this keyboard to death to communicate on the web, but i can assure you i am one of the most honest and polite people on earth, no matter how bad my grammer is.

I got an e-mail from some girl in russia????? She responded to a add for a trans I had on there. She sent me a picture the second time--good lord! My heart wouldnt take it--she was very nice! Told the wife I was thinking of trading her in!

[QUOTE=mooneye777]

Originally Posted by IC2

man i feel bad, i never use proper punctuation, cant spell that good, poor grammer, and no capitalization. and that makes me a bad person who rips people off? just because i did not get straight A's in english does not mean i will steal your money. it just means i cant type and hen peck this keyboard to death to communicate on the web, but i can assure you i am one of the most honest and polite people on earth, no matter how bad my grammer is.

If you feel picked on and are taking it personally, my apologies. If you contacted me about my items on Craigslist and I blew you off - sorry, but most people do not ask me to hold the item, promise to pay me with a certified check when I have specified CASH ONLY and most will not offer me MORE then I'm asking by a third. And the fact that the language skills displayed by those individuals was stilted like a poorly learned second language and grammatically incorrect, I feel that that is enough of a reason to say what I said.

You are stating that you are the most honest people on earth - I believe you.

When you say that you are one of the most polite people - well, reread your negative and very personal comments to me.

I know it's not a good indicator but, I have been surprised at how many "deals" that have gone wrong have ended up on Judge Judy and the like. I guess it's the same all over. Let the buyer beware!

ive been burned 3 times !!!! hate using it,

Originally Posted by gassersrule_196

ive been burned 3 times !!!! hate using it,

Use your craigs list local sales only . I just picked up a set of 1970 350 300HP heads that sat for years and are like new . They are #186 64cc fuellys with bolt holes in the front . They cost me $50.00 for both . And I picked up the bare 4 bolt block thats mint and the bore has no wear for $50.00 also . The add said Corvette parts . Dont give up !

Thats what i like about the local Craig's list i see the part before any money transfers. I look on it alot but only local .

Craigslist = locally listed and locally sold. I'll continue to use it as such. Unfortunatelly the Nigerian scammers plus outside of your locality have invaded it and troll for dupes that don't understand that they can be taken financially. These two items that I had listed was the first time for scams for me on craigslist.

I have more to put on as soon as I get photos taken - and hope for the best