Feels like a car sale SCAM

[NeedSpace]

I saw this rather inexpensive 2004 VW Beetle on NJ-Craigslist for a good price. I was thinking of getting it for my niece (who would pay me back...I am not that nice). I emailed the seller would told me I could inspect the vehicle but she was in South Dakota, she had been moved there for school or something.

I emailed back, great, let me know where the vehicle is and who I can speak to so I can inspect the vehicle and take it for a test drive.

Then without really answering my questions, I get this:

"I would like to handle the sale using eBay for our own protection as they act as a neutral third party. eBay will keep the money until you inspect/drive the vehicle.
This is how the eBay works:

1. I will contact eBay and give all the info about this deal.
2. They will email us the forms by email - about the buyer's protection policy, delivery, and payment.
3. You will send the payment to eBay and they will notify me to ship the vehicle to your location.The shipping will take 5 days.
4. After you will inspect/drive the vehicle and decide to keep it, eBay will forward me the funds and the deal is done.

You have 5 days to test it from the day you receive it. If by any chance you won't be satisfied with it you will be fully refunded and I will have the shipping company come to pick it up and I have to pay the shipping back. If you wish to purchase it please provide me your full name, address so I can initiate the deal through eBay.
Good faith has always been my top priority and my most valued business approach.

Looking forward to hear from you!"

I left thinking this person is a complete retard (no offense to mentally challenged) or more likely, that it must be a scam. Why on earth would you send a vehicle from SC to NJ to sell it? Why not sell it in SD if the car is there?

I want to screw with this person for wasting my time, any ideas?

[allaircooled]

Definitely a scam. I would just reply eff off and keep looking.

[drmatera]

Yes it's a scam

[legion]

Reply telling her that the price on her item is agreeable and you will gladly send full payment. You simply ask that an additional sum be forwarded on to your personal agent and they can keep $5,000 for their troubles...

[onewhippedpuppy]

Scam, I've received the same thing.

[gr8fl4porsche]

Standard scam

[techweenie]

There's some kind of recent CL scam where the listing is for a car priced way below market; the ad has just one photo and the function of the ad is to take you to another site. These are listed as dealer ads on CL. One of my acquaintances sent me an ad for a Carrera GT for $6,4XX and asked if it was a good deal...

[VintagePhilippe]

Originally Posted by NeedSpace

I saw this rather inexpensive 2004 VW Beetle on NJ-Craigslist for a good price. I was thinking of getting it for my niece (who would pay me back...I am not that nice). I emailed the seller would told me I could inspect the vehicle but she was in South Dakota, she had been moved there for school or something.

I emailed back, great, let me know where the vehicle is and who I can speak to so I can inspect the vehicle and take it for a test drive.

Then without really answering my questions, I get this:

"I would like to handle the sale using eBay for our own protection as they act as a neutral third party. eBay will keep the money until you inspect/drive the vehicle.
This is how the eBay works:

1. I will contact eBay and give all the info about this deal.
2. They will email us the forms by email - about the buyer's protection policy, delivery, and payment.
3. You will send the payment to eBay and they will notify me to ship the vehicle to your location.The shipping will take 5 days.
4. After you will inspect/drive the vehicle and decide to keep it, eBay will forward me the funds and the deal is done.

You have 5 days to test it from the day you receive it. If by any chance you won't be satisfied with it you will be fully refunded and I will have the shipping company come to pick it up and I have to pay the shipping back. If you wish to purchase it please provide me your full name, address so I can initiate the deal through eBay.
Good faith has always been my top priority and my most valued business approach.

Looking forward to hear from you!"

I left thinking this person is a complete retard (no offense to mentally challenged) or more likely, that it must be a scam. Why on earth would you send a vehicle from SC to NJ to sell it? Why not sell it in SD if the car is there?

I want to screw with this person for wasting my time, any ideas?

Auto scams on Craigslist eBay Motors - Purchase Protection - Overview

eBay's Vehicle Purchase Protection covers only certain vehicle transactions that are completed ON eBay.com. If a Craigslist seller "promises" you eBay protection programs, walk away. It is fraudulent.

A great deal that sounds too good to pass up

Seller can't meet in person because of a number of reasons (i.e., they are a soldier in Iraq or they left the vehicle in a "local shipping company")

Seller claims to have made arrangements with eBay's Vehicle Purchase Protection or Finance Centers

Seller requests payment by money wire via Western Union or MoneyGram

[NeedSpace]

Guys,

Thanks for the pointers, I wouldn't have known about that eBay stipulation.

The first emails made some sense, in each progressive email you start to smell something funny. You would have to be a complete idiot to fall for this. Pisses me off because my niece was excited.

Here is the email thread for your entertainment:


On 11/23/2012 8:44 PM, I wrote:
>
> I would like to see the vehicle BEFORE I purchase it. So, if you could let me know where the car is, that would be great. I am not purchasing anything until I see the vehicle. Is the vehicle physically in NJ or are you saying it is in South Dakota?
>

From: Christine Fisher
To: ME
Sent: Saturday, November 24, 2012 8:57 AM
Subject: Re: 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS Convertible - $2790

I moved to Williston, ND with my job and I have it here with me.I am looking for a fast sale.I am selling the vehicle because I need to pay the mortgage, so if tomorrow a potential buyer will accept the transaction via eBay I will start the shipping to his location.I can not guarantee that the vehicle will be here when you will come.
eBay is the best solution, but it's your call, let me know it


From: ME
To: Christine Fisher
Sent: Saturday, November 24, 2012 4:56 PM
Subject: Re: 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS Convertible - $2790

This is a scam and you are a piece of *****.

[dewolf]

maybe we should all fill this person's inbox.