Is Craig's List a scam?

ScottM

ScottM

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iBazinga!
I posted an add for a bass guitar that I am selling there this morning. Within about an hour I get a response from a guy asking why I was selling it. That was explained in the ad BTW.

I responded to him and just a short time ago he answered back.

This time he asked for some recent pictures, stated he was going to buy the item, and wanted me to remove the ad.

I was curious why he would ask me for photos when I had put four photos on the ad. But when I get to his last line my spidey senses really started tingling.

He said he would contact his financier and would be paying with a certified check.

That sure sounds like a scam to me. Especially since the ad said paypal or cash.

I have to say that I have heard form others that Craig's List has some major numskulls on it when it comes to buying stuff.
 
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Craigslist isn't a scam, but as with any online venue, some of the buyers (and sellers) sure are.
 
CL has attracted more than its share of fraudsters, scamsters, and criminals.

It's what happens when you have a (virtually) unmoderated forum that only responds to a certain number of bad post reports. I tread very carefully with CL.
 
See above. The guy is a scam. CL is not.

I've bought one motorcycle and sold two cars on it, with good results both times.

Although if you posted "bass guitar" in the "erotic services" section, that might be part of your problem. ;)
 
I bought my Used Airmap 500 from CL. First time i used it and I was skeptical as well. Found one on there that was listed really wierd and worded poorly,..stayed away from that one. Luckily found one in Colorado and they were very polite in email. One email came from a work account, which I then looked up and found it was a company that's been around for a while and I was buying it from the owner. At least now I had a phone number to call if something went sour.

All arrived on time and with tracking, in much better shape than I origonally anticipated.

Just like Ebay though, it's all a matter of who the person is and hopefully you are getting a good deal from a good person. I've had a few bad transactions on Ebay, and glad there was Paypal involved.
 
BE REAL CAREFUL!!!!!

I know a person that received a "certified" check for an amount above the purchase price. When he contacted the buyer, he was told his accountant had made a mistake; would he please cash the check and send the overpayment back along with the merchandise.

Two weeks later the "certified" check bounces (I didn't know it would take that long, but it can). Now my friend is out the extra money & the merchandise.

Peter
 
PeterD46 said:
BE REAL CAREFUL!!!!!

I know a person that received a "certified" check for an amount above the purchase price. When he contacted the buyer, he was told his accountant had made a mistake; would he please cash the check and send the overpayment back along with the merchandise.

Two weeks later the "certified" check bounces (I didn't know it would take that long, but it can). Now my friend is out the extra money & the merchandise.

Peter
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I am familiar with that scam, has been around for a long time. That is why when he mentioned the certified check I sensed scam.
 
Ted DuPuis said:
See above. The guy is a scam. CL is not.

I've bought one motorcycle and sold two cars on it, with good results both times.

Although if you posted "bass guitar" in the "erotic services" section, that might be part of your problem. ;)
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I sold a 3pt mounted snowblower on it successfully but shortly after I placed the ad I was contacted by a scammer. He was so inept it was fairly obvious but the clincher was when he indicated he needed to pay me more than the asking price (he didn't negotiate that at all) with me returning the difference to him.
 
The only "certified" funds I'll accept is primarily green printing on an off-white paper and has pictures of dead presidents. Maybe a credit card or Paypal. But, tis it.
 
PeterD46 said:
BE REAL CAREFUL!!!!!

I know a person that received a "certified" check for an amount above the purchase price. When he contacted the buyer, he was told his accountant had made a mistake; would he please cash the check and send the overpayment back along with the merchandise.

Two weeks later the "certified" check bounces (I didn't know it would take that long, but it can). Now my friend is out the extra money & the merchandise.

Peter
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Which is what the fine, fine denizen of Nigeria would have done for Scott.

The advice for Craiglist is to make deals in person. It's supposed to be local. \Even then you may be buying stuff the guy doesn't own.
 
smigaldi said:
I am familiar with that scam, has been around for a long time. That is why when he mentioned the certified check I sensed scam.
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Certified checks need to be verified with the issuing bank. Just call them and give them the serial number or check number of the check and the amount. If they verify it is legit you should be good to go. I use and take certified checks all the time for airplanes.

"Trust, but verify." .................I wonder who said that. :D

I've used Craig's list a lot for rentals. Seems just about everyone uses them now.
 
ditto on the above - it's the "buyer" (loosely defined) who's the scam, not CL. However, I cut some slack to the guy who asks a question that's already answered in the ad - once. :) Especially since I just bought a snowmobile helmet from CL. Before buying, I shoot the guy an email asking what size it was, since I couldn't find it anywhere in the description. Only after hitting Send, did I see the title of his ad embedded in my Subject line "Snowmobile Helmet, Large ..." doh!!!
 
Used Craig's List a number of times for cars, equipment, parts, etc. Always dealt local, in person, and in cash. So far, worked out just fine.

Gary
 
gkainz said:
ditto on the above - it's the "buyer" (loosely defined) who's the scam, not CL. However, I cut some slack to the guy who asks a question that's already answered in the ad - once. :) Especially since I just bought a snowmobile helmet from CL. Before buying, I shoot the guy an email asking what size it was, since I couldn't find it anywhere in the description. Only after hitting Send, did I see the title of his ad embedded in my Subject line "Snowmobile Helmet, Large ..." doh!!!
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I agree, I cut him some slack on the first message but it was the 2nd message that had too many red flags for me.
 
No Craig list no scam! My name is Prince Dr. Josephi Mygumbo. I have been awarded 6 millions of US dollers. I only need to pay lawyer fee of 10,000 US dollers to get to it......Please send money to help me.....

Wow....It sounds like craigs list is being overrun by scammers....

--Matt
 
smigaldi said:
I posted an add for a bass guitar that I am selling there this morning. Within about an hour I get a response from a guy asking why I was selling it. That was explained in the ad BTW.

I responded to him and just a short time ago he answered back.

This time he asked for some recent pictures, stated he was going to buy the item, and wanted me to remove the ad.

I was curious why he would ask me for photos when I had put four photos on the ad. But when I get to his last line my spidey senses really started tingling.

He said he would contact his financier and would be paying with a certified check.

That sure sounds like a scam to me. Especially since the ad said paypal or cash.

I have to say that I have heard form others that Craig's List has some major numskulls on it when it comes to buying stuff.
Click to expand...

Craigslist is full of scammers, they don't control that. Your Spidey Senses are working fine. Just send him a note back, "You're perfectly welcome to try to buy it, but the first person who shows up with the cash gets it. No checks of any type."
 
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