****ing scammers

[speeder]

Selling on CL has just become an exercise in futility. What happened? I used to be able to sell anything in short order if it was a good car part, priced ok. There are literally millions of cars and trucks on the road here.

[speeder]

I am the seller, Einstein.

[speeder]

"Is (blank) still available?" 3 minutes after you post something is a response from Nigeria. Or Russia. Every time. 100 times out of 100. CL sucks.

[Baz]

Had two guys stop at my house today. They looked like Mafia guys. Driving a new Vette. Asked if I was the one who called them about selling my Porsche.

I was working on my SC on the front driveway with the 914 in the garage. Door open. Was thinking again? What's the scam now?

Turns out they were trying to get to some guy in Ormond Beach 40 miles north of me. Never got the guy's address - just assumed it was me because they saw my Porsche in the driveway and had left a note on my mailbox before asking if I wanted to sell it.

Why does everyone want to buy my Porsches?

If I wanted to sell them I would post an ad.

It's a weird world out there right now!

[cabmandone]

Put in bold "if you see this listing, the item is still available" I typically put "no text messages, I will not reply" Real people will see it and call, scammers never call.

[Bill Douglas]

No one wants my SC

However... I do get a lot of Chinese people phoning wanting to help me out with my computer or to tell me the internet is about to be switched off. It's OK because I get to practice my improvised Chinese language talk with them. I'm getting quite good.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by cabmando

Put in bold "if you see this listing, the item is still available" I typically put "no text messages, I will not reply" Real people will see it and call, scammers never call.

Unfortunately, in 2019 there are people who text message almost exclusively who are real people. Scammers I can see coming from a mile away, it's just annoying. The most common one these days is either the "VIN check" scam or the Google voice code scam. Either one, you are handing your personal info the some Russian teenager on a silver platter.

[speeder]

You have to have fun w them, or you will lose your mind. Also, scammers are nothing new, it's just that technology has changed everything, including crime.

This was their next text:

[Bill Douglas]

But... Occasionally the person is genuine. Like Hugh's buyer who wanted to meet him with a suitcase full of cash. And did.

[porsche4life]

Honesty crap like this is why I switched to Facebook marketplace. Still have to deal with stupid people, but don’t have the scammer issues.


Also is 100x easier to use than the list.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

But... Occasionally the person is genuine. Like Hugh's buyer who wanted to meet him with a suitcase full of cash. And did.

That would not be the M.O. of any scam I've heard of but it's still important to do your due diligence and be careful.

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by speeder

You have to have fun w them, or you will lose your mind. Also, scammers are nothing new, it's just that technology has changed everything, including crime.

This was their next text:

They're trying to steal your phone number on Google voice.
Call them a benchod and smoke a fine cigar. Watch the broken English profanity ensue.

[Arizona_928]

Where you like last year when I needed a drivers side mirror

[speeder]

I can't show my next text here, it's too dirty for a family forum. But it was really funny.

[SCadaddle]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Honesty crap like this is why I switched to Facebook marketplace. Still have to deal with stupid people, but don’t have the scammer issues.


Also is 100x easier to use than the list.

In the words of ESPN's Lee Corso: "Not so fast my friend!" I've been perusing Facebook Marketplace for several weeks looking for a sailboat. And I've seen the same boat in different towns/citys/States with different owners. A couple of months ago I "missed" on a deal on one boat in Oklahoma that was at a Marina on a lake in Oklahoma. I called the Harbormaster of the Marina just to see if it was real---it was---and the boat was going absolutely NOWHERE until the Marina got paid their $800 in past due slip fees. I discussed this via text with the sailboat owner and they supposedly took care of it the next day. I then called the Marina and they informed me that the slip fees were paid up AND that they had sold the boat that same afternoon to a local fellow.

2 months later the same sailboat ad is still on Craigslist. Personally, I think the phone solicitation industry/data miners/scammers are using Craigs and Facebook Marketplace to get what they want--YOUR contact info.

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by cabmando

Put in bold "if you see this listing, the item is still available" I typically put "no text messages, I will not reply" Real people will see it and call, scammers never call.

F. That.
I’ll text you. I’m not waiting to see if you feel like answering right then.

[dad911]

I've had scammers steal pics from our homes for sale, and place ads as rentals. Both in Florida and NJ. They list the correct address, looking legit. I suspect they were fishing for deposits.

I was concerned I'd show up one day, locks changed, tenants in place with a lease in hand.....

Have also purchased homes that were empty/abandoned, and scammers were using them as a delivery address, packages showing up after closing.

[wdfifteen]

Selling my ATV. I have it up on Craigs List. One guy responded the first day and wanted to know the serial number. That's all he asked about it, just the serial number.
Um... that would be NO!

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

Selling my ATV. I have it up on Craigs List. One guy responded the first day and wanted to know the serial number. That's all he asked about it, just the serial number.
Um... that would be NO!

If he wanted it that badly he would have come out to see the ATV and written it down.

VIN's are good to look up things like recalls and series that have problems. For instance, a Jaguar XJ8 built after a certain date in '02 has the upgraded chain tensioners. If you buy the earlier car and it hasn't had the upgrade, you're looking at nearly 2K to correct that.

First thing I want to know about a 2000 Jag.

[wdfifteen]

I got this one yesterday:

"I'm satisfied with the price and the condition on the list, kindly withdraw the advert from list and considered it sold. I will add extra $70 with the original price while you remove the ad., My husband will overnight a Cashier Check/ Certified Check drawn from a local bank and i will make the pick up arrangement as soon as the check clears and you have your cash

I would have come and take a look and purchase with cash, but my work frame {event coordinator} is tight. So, I'll need you to provide me with the following information to overnight the Payment.

Name to be on the payment...........
Address to mail the check to.............
City, state and zip code .............
Final Asking price...................
Cell phone # to text you on ................

The check will be overnight to you asap and deliver to you within 48hours. Thanks "


He didn't mention the item I'm selling. (It's Ia $300 Weber gas grill.) I don't think the guy even knows what ad he is responding to, and he wants to give me $70 to hold if for him?

I don't get his angle. What does he get out of this if I should respond?