Scam on selling my trailer?

[Hugh R]

I posted on RVTrader.com and CL to sell my 2000 Trailmanor camping trailer. Here is the listing 2000 Trailmanor 2720sl, Newhall CA - 109976792 - RVTrader.com He responded through RVTrader.com

I got these text msgs. on it

Is it still available. What is your final price? Text me to (559) 997-xxxx

I told him the price $8,500 as listed, and includes a newer cover, and elect brake controller for the tow vehicle and that everything works.

He texts me back

" Thanks for the reply, am currently with the U.S. Navy currently station in Nas Lemoore, fresno, CA. so get back to me with its present condition.

Thanks for the reply. I am quite okay with the price and I am ready for the purchase, note that I have a pick up agent that will come for pick up after payment have been received which would be through PayPal if this is acceptable I am buying this for my son as a gift, I can only pay through payPal at the moment because its safe and secure for transactions like this.all I will need is your pay pal email address to make the payment, if you do not have a ....

Can he scam me with paypal?

I already told him the present condition and it states in the ad that everything works.

[Zeke]

Yes, he can scam you with PP.

[Hugh R]

Search says its a landline in Lamoore, fresno, CA Where he says he is located.

Did a search on his supposed name Johnson Caleb, and didn't find much. Caleb Johnson, yes found hits, Johnson Caleb, No.

[masraum]

Sounds like a scam to me

[nostatic]

Scam

[stomachmonkey]

Final price, military, pickup agent plus the grammar.

Standard scam.

[pavulon]

Ask for the name of sailor's CO and a number where a conversation with the CO might be had. May make them go away or they may give you a fake name and #.

[ckelly78z]

If he is real, and actually interested in your trailer, he shouldn't have a problem talking to you on the phone, or giving you the info on his C.O.

It has all the classic signs of being a scam. Bad, foreign grammer, a shipping/pickup agent, the keywords of "final price", and "present condition". At this point I always inform them that, if they have a shipping/pickup, he can bring $100 bills with him to pay me in cash......no other payment method will be accepted.

[Hugh R]

Thanks Guys. I learned here from the best (at spotting scams). Without you, I'd probably have fallen for it.

[trekkor]

I always laugh at the CL replies that never actually reference what it is I'm selling.


KT

[LeeH]

Originally Posted by trekkor

I always laugh at the CL replies that never actually reference what it is I'm selling.


KT

Yep... too many pronouns. Makes it easy to copy/past responses for a lot of ads. Every now and then I get a real response like that, but it's rare.

[Hugh R]

So how do they do a paypal scam? Send money, it doesn't clear? Tied to a CC that sends money but they don't cover it? Or contest the payment later?

[motion]

"Is it still available" is the most common Craigslist scam out there. Easy to spot.

[JoshB]

Scam for sure...

[vonsmog]

I always tell them payment by wire transfer or cash only. The stops the scammers right there.

[GWN7]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

So how do they do a paypal scam? Send money, it doesn't clear? Tied to a CC that sends money but they don't cover it? Or contest the payment later?

Most likely they would supply you with a PayPal address, which might look like a actually PayPal web site but be a fake. You would get a email from their "PayPal" account that would tell you the money was there. His "agent" would come pick up the trailer and that's the last you would see of it.


Tell him his agent can bring cash when he picks it up. After all he can send the agent his PayPal "money" and the agent can screw around dealing with it.

Cash only, no cheques or money orders accepted.

[ckelly78z]

I very much am interested in your item, please for you to send me final price, and current condition. My shipping agent will bring 3rd party check with $1000 overage. You cash check, give him $1000, and the item. He splits !

[rusnak]

Tell him you have a payment receipt agent in Fresno. Shoot I'll do it and kneecap him if he gives me fake bills.

[Joe Bob]

Total BS.....move along.....

[LakeCleElum]

I tell them I'm in there area, can meet in person - just give me an address and ph #........If scammer, never hear from them again......